Most renowned of the Vanir, goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, but also associated with war and death. She receives half of those who die in battle in her hall Folkvangr.
Freyja is the goddess of love, beauty, gold, and magic (seidr). She drives a chariot pulled by giant cats and wears the necklace Brisingamen.
Goddess of War
Unlike Aphrodite, Freyja is not just a lover but a warrior. She rides into battle and has the first pick of the slain warriors (the Oskorei), taking half to her field Folkvangr, while Odin takes the rest to Valhalla.
Origin Story
Freyja is the daughter of the sea god Njord and an unnamed mother, possibly the earth goddess Nerthus or a sister of Njord from the Vanir. She came to Asgard as a hostage after the Aesir-Vanir War, along with her father and twin brother Freyr. In exchange, the Aesir sent Hoenir and Mimir to the Vanir. The Vanir, feeling cheated, beheaded Mimir, but the exchange brought lasting peace. Freyja taught the Aesir the magic of seidr, a form of shamanic sorcery previously unknown to them. She became so beloved among the gods that she was granted her own hall, Sessrumnir, in the field of Folkvangr.
Primary Sources
Historical texts and references
“Freyja is the most famous of the goddesses. She has in heaven a dwelling which is called Folkvang, and when she rides to the battle, one half of the slain belong to her, and the other half to Odin.”
