Scandinavian pagan deities were worshipped by the pre-Christian Norse tribes of Scandinavia. These deities played a central role in their religious beliefs and practices, and were believed to have influence over various aspects of life. The Norse pantheon consisted of numerous gods and goddesses, each with their own unique characteristics and powers. One of the most well-known deities was Odin, the chief god of the Norse pantheon. Odin was associated with wisdom, knowledge, and the pursuit of victory in battle. He was also believed to be the god of death, as he would gather fallen warriors in his hall of Valhalla.
Old Norse actually had a large influence on modern-day English because of some of the settlements they established in England, as you can see in the video below.
The basic Norse story of creation begins with two worlds that sat on either side of a bottomless abyss called Ginnungagap, which was kind of like the universe before the big bang. From the time the first tribes formed to become the Norse till the introduction of Christianity, it s believed they may have worshipped up to 66 different gods.
He was also believed to be the god of death, as he would gather fallen warriors in his hall of Valhalla. Odin was often depicted as an aged man with a long beard and one eye, as he sacrificed an eye to gain wisdom. Thor, the god of thunder, was another prominent deity in Scandinavian paganism.
Viking Gods
At the start of the Viking age most Scandinavians were pagan. They had many gods and goddesses from simple nature spirits to heroic figures. Odin, Thor and Frey were the major deities, who dwelled in Asgard – the inner world of an elaborate universe.
Vikings believed they travelled to other worlds in the afterlife. They were cremated or buried with possessions and sacrifices.
Some rich men were buried in boats, and women in carriages or sleds. But the spread of Christianity was unavoidable. Christian missionaries had been in Scandinavia from the beginning of the Viking age, and Vikings who settled in Christian countries learned Christian ways. For emerging Scandinavian rulers there was political advantage in alliances with neighbouring Christian powers. Denmark was converted in the 960s. Norway and Sweden gradually gave in over the next century. For some time Christianity and the old faith continued side by side, but pagan belief faded away as the Viking era ended.
Viking statue of the god Odin, Gothenburg Museum of Natural History, Sweden. Image: Kristijan Arsov, Unsplash
At the start of the Viking age most Scandinavians were still pagan. They had many gods and goddesses - Odin, Thor and Frey were the major deities.
Odin was the Viking god of war. They believed he rode a horse with eight legs and had only one eye because he had traded the other one in for a drink from the well of wisdom. It is said Odin had two ravens, Huginn (Thought) and Muninn (Memory) who would fly around the world every day and report back to him.
Thor son of Odin was said to bring especially good luck. Thor, reigned over war, strength and right. He protected mankind from the giants. Iron and silver amulets in the shape of Thor’s hammer were worn by many Vikings. Vikings believed it was Thor’s hammer (Mjolnir) that made the sound of thunder. Thursday is named after Thor.
Frey, also called Yngvi, in Norse mythology, the ruler of peace and fertility, rain, and sunshine and the son of the sea god Njörd
Research old Norse gods.
- Who were the Norse gods?
- In what ways did the Old Norse gods serve people during the Viking age?
- Why were these stories told by the people of the Viking Age?
Activity: Listen to the story of Odin.
- Do we tell similar stories today?
- Did you know that some of the Old Norse gods have days of the week named after them in English? See if you can discover them.
To the Norse, Loki was a trickster god who wasn’t related to Thor at all, but he did often help him because of his intellectual brilliance. His parents were a giant called Fárbauti and a goddess called Laufey.
He was known for his great strength and was associated with thunderstorms, which were believed to be caused by his hammer, Mjölnir. Thor was often depicted as a strong, red-bearded man wielding his hammer, and was seen as a protector of the gods and humans against the chaotic forces of the giants. Freyja was the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. She was associated with magic and war, and was believed to choose half of the warriors who died in battle to lead them to her afterlife realm, Fólkvangr. Freyja was often depicted as a beautiful woman with amber accessories and a falcon cloak. Loki, the trickster god, was a complex and mischievous figure in Scandinavian mythology. He was often involved in various misadventures with the gods, but was also known for his cunning and intelligence. Loki was responsible for the death of Baldr, one of the most beloved gods, and his actions eventually led to the start of Ragnarök, the Norse apocalyptic event. Other notable deities included Baldr, the god of light and purity, who was beloved by all; Tyr, the war god and sky father; and Freyr, the god of peace, prosperity, and fertility. Each deity had their own specific domains and cults, and were worshipped through various rituals and sacrifices. With the spread of Christianity in Scandinavia, the worship of these pagan deities declined, and the Norse pantheon was gradually replaced by the Christian god and saints. Nonetheless, the stories and legends of these deities have continued to captivate imaginations throughout history, leaving a lasting cultural and historical impact on the region..
Reviews for "Frigg: The Goddess of Marriage and Motherhood in Scandinavian Paganism"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Scandinavian pagan deities". The book lacked depth and failed to provide any meaningful insight into the subject matter. It felt more like a superficial overview rather than a comprehensive exploration of the topic. Additionally, the writing style was dry and monotonous, making it a struggle to stay engaged. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a thorough understanding of Scandinavian pagan deities.
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3. Sarah - 2/5 - "Scandinavian pagan deities" was a major letdown for me. The book felt poorly researched and lacked credibility. I found several inaccuracies and inconsistencies throughout, which made me question the author's knowledge on the subject. Additionally, the writing style was cumbersome and made it difficult to follow the narrative. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an accurate and well-written exploration of Scandinavian pagan deities. There are much better resources available on the topic.