12 Facts about Freya – Goddess in Norse mythology

Freya (or Freyja) is one of the most prominent and complex goddesses in Norse mythology. She belongs to the Vanir, a group of gods associated with fertility and magic, but lives among the Æsir in Asgard after the war between the Æsir and Vanir.

1. Goddess of Many Domains

Freya is not a goddess with one single, clear function; she rules over multiple important domains. She is primarily known as the goddess of:

• Love and beauty: She is often invoked in matters of the heart and considered the most beautiful of all goddesses.
• Fertility and lust: She is associated with birth, sexuality, and sensual pleasure.
• Battle and death: Surprisingly, she also has a strong connection to war. She receives half of the warriors who die honorably on the battlefield in her hall Sessrúmnir in Fólkvangr (the other half goes to Odin’s Valhalla).
• Magic (Seidr): She is a master of ‘seidr’, a form of Norse magic and divination.

2. Belonging to the Vanir

Freya originally belongs to the Vanir, a family of gods often associated with nature, fertility, and prosperity, in contrast to the Æsir (like Odin and Thor) who are more connected with war and power. Her brother is Freyr, also an important fertility god.
After the war between the Æsir and Vanir, Freya, Freyr, and their father Njord were sent to Asgard as hostages to seal the peace. There, Freya became a respected member of the Æsir pantheon.

3. Her Hall Sessrúmnir in Fólkvangr

While Odin receives the slain warriors (einherjar) in Valhalla, Freya has her own realm of the dead for honorable warriors: Fólkvangr (‘Field of the People’ or ‘Army Field’). Her hall within Fólkvangr is called Sessrúmnir (‘Rich in Seats’ or ‘Roomy with Seats’).
According to the myths, Freya gets the first choice of the fallen warriors on the battlefield; half come to her hall, the other half go to Odin. This underscores her status as a powerful goddess who is also connected with death and the afterlife for warriors.

4. Master of Seidr (Magic)

Freya is considered the foremost practitioner of ‘seidr’, a form of Norse magic dealing with predicting and influencing the future, causing good or bad fortune, and possibly shapeshifting.
According to tradition, it was Freya who taught Odin the art of seidr. This form of magic was sometimes considered ‘unmanly’ for male gods, which highlights the complexity of both Freya’s and Odin’s characters.

5. Her Chariot Pulled by Cats

Freya travels in a chariot pulled by two large cats. Cats in Norse culture were associated with magic, independence, and sometimes also with fertility.
These unique companions contribute to her mysterious and powerful image. The names of the cats are not mentioned in the ancient sources, but in modern interpretations, they are sometimes given names like Bygul and Trjegul.

6. The Necklace Brísingamen

One of Freya’s most precious possessions is Brísingamen, a magnificent golden or amber necklace (or girdle), forged by four dwarves (the Brísinga). According to one myth, she obtained the jewel by spending a night with each of the four dwarves.
Loki later stole the jewel, but it was retrieved by Heimdall after a fight. Brísingamen symbolizes her beauty, wealth, and possibly her connection to magic and fertility.

7. Her Cloak of Falcon Feathers

Freya possesses a magical cloak made of falcon feathers (Valshamr), which allows her (or whoever borrows it) to transform into a falcon and travel swiftly through the air between the worlds.
In various myths, she lends this cloak to other gods, like Loki, to aid them in their adventures or quests.

8. Husband Ódr and Her Tears of Gold

Freya is married to the god Ódr, who is often seen as a double or aspect of Odin. However, Ódr is often absent, traveling to distant lands.
Freya misses him greatly and weeps tears of red gold when she searches for him. These golden tears emphasize her aspect as a goddess of love and her wealth.

9. Her Boar Hildisvíni

Besides her cats, Freya is also associated with a boar named Hildisvíni (‘Battle Swine’). In some stories, she rides this boar.
The boar was a symbol of fertility in Germanic and Norse culture, but also of battle and protection. Her brother Freyr likewise had a golden boar, Gullinbursti.

10. Worshipped as a Fertility Goddess

Despite her complex roles, Freya likely remained primarily important to ordinary people as a goddess of fertility, love, and prosperity. She was invoked for help with childbirth, matters of love, and good harvests.
Her connection to the Vanir and symbols like the boar and (possibly) cats strongly indicate this original function.

11. Possible Connection to Frigg

There is much debate among scholars regarding the relationship between Freya and Frigg, the wife of Odin and goddess of marriage and motherhood. They share some overlapping domains (love, fertility, magic/prophecy) and their names appear etymologically related.
Some theories suggest they were originally the same goddess who later split into two figures, or that they represent different aspects of a larger female deity.

12. Survival in Folklore and Modern Culture

Although the worship of the Norse gods disappeared with Christianization, Freya’s influence survived in folklore, particularly in Scandinavia. The name ‘Friday’ (Dutch: vrijdag, German: Freitag) is likely derived from either Freya or Frigg.
Today, she is experiencing a resurgence in popularity within modern pagan movements (Ásatrú) and frequently appears in fantasy literature, games, and other popular media, often as a powerful and independent female figure.