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Æsir & Vanir

Giants, Gods, Goddesses & Humans

By Molly Kalafut


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My purpose with these pages is to chronicle the pantheon, places, animals, objects and other important figures in Norse mythology. Wherever possible, I list the quotes from the Eddas that describe the characters. You will notice I list the sex and parents of each character as my eventual goal is creating a genealogical "family tree" of how they are all related. As of 2006, I am part-way through adding characters from the Prose Edda.


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Ægir

"A certain man was named Ægir, or Hlér. He dwelt on the island which is now called Hlér's Isle, and was deeply versed in black magic." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Giant, Vanir
bullet Title: God (Seashore, Ocean)
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Names: Ægir, Aegir, Hlér, Hler, Gymir
bullet Father: Mistarblindi
bullet Spouse: Ran (also sister)
bullet Children: 9 daughters; Bára, Blódughadda, Bylgja, Dúfa, Himinglæva, Hefring, Hrönn, Kölga, Udr

Ægir was an ancient jotun, lord and ruler of the stormy seas. He personified the ocean, and could cause storms or fair winds. A euphemism for a shipwreck was that it went into "Ægir's wide jaws". Early Saxons may have made human sacrifices in connection to Ægir. Ægir also brewed ale for the gods, which may be connected in some way to ocean foam.

The gods feasted in Ægir's hall and drank ale Ægir brewed for them out of magically refilling cups. Gold on the floor provided light instead of the fire, so gold was called "Ægir's fire". He had two servants in the hall, Fimafeng and Eldir. The gods feasted in Ægir's hall after Baldur's death when Loki appeared and insulted everyone, but no violence was permitted in a sanctuary.

In the Prose Edda, Ægir was called by the name "Hler" and described as a man skilled in magic who lived on the island Hlesey and visited the gods in Asgard.

He was the son of Mistarblindi and brother of Loki and Kari. With his wife Ran they had nine daughters with poetic names that represent the waves.


Agnar

Not mentioned in Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human
bullet Title: Prince
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Father: King Hraudung

Prince Agnar was the son of King Hraudung and older brother of Geirrod. They were also foster sons of Odin and Frigg. He was favored by Frigg while Odin favored Geirrod. Agnar was pushed in a boat out to sea by his brother and never returned. Geirrod later became king, but was eventually killed by Odin.


Alfrothful

Not mentioned in Prose Edda
bullet Gender: Female
bullet Names: Alfrothful, "Elf-Beam"
bullet Children: Daughter Sol

Alfrothful is the mother of Sol.


Alfrodul

Not mentioned in Prose Edda
bullet Gender: Female
bullet Names: Alfrodul
bullet Mother: Sol

Alfrodul is the daughter of Sol who rides the sun's chariot after Ragnarok in her mother's place.


Alvig

"There was a king named Hálfdan the Old, who was most famous of all kings...Then he took in marriage that woman named Alvig the Wise, daughter of King Eymundr of Hólmgardr ("Russia"): they had eighteen sons, nine born at one birth." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human
bullet Title: Queen
bullet Gender: Female
bullet Names: Alvig the Wise
bullet Father: King Eymundr
bullet Spouse: Hálfdan the Old
bullet Children: Audi, Bragi, Budli, Dagr, Lofdi, Manna-Thengill, Gramr, Gylfi, Harri/Herra, Hildir, Hilmir, Jöfurr, Nefir, Ræsir, Skyli/Skúli, Sigarr, Tyggi, Yngvi

Alvig was the wife of Hálfdan the Old. She was the daughter of King Eymundr of Hólmgardr and gave birth to 18 sons with her husband.


Alvis

Not mentioned in Prose Edda
bullet Race: Dwarf
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Names: Alvis, Alviss, "The All-Wise"

Alvis was a dwarf who convinced the gods to let him marry Thor's daughter Thrud during Thor's absence. Thor intercepted Alvis and tricked him into staying above ground at daybreak which turned him into a stone. One would think someone named "All-Wise" would've seen that coming...


Andhrimnir

Not mentioned in Prose Edda
bullet Names: Andhrimnir, "Sooty In The Face"

Andhrimnir was the cook for nightly feasts in Valhalla.


Angantyr

Not mentioned in Prose Edda

Angantyr and Ottar had a bet to see whose lineage was more royal.


Annarr

"Nörfi or Narfi is the name of a giant that dwelt in Jötunheim: he had a daughter called Night; she was swarthy and dark, as befitted her race. She was given to the man named Naglfari; their son was Audr. Afterward she was wedded to him that was called Annarr; Jörd was their daughter. Last of all Dayspring had her, and he was of the race of the Æsir; their son was Day: he was radiant and fair after his father." -Prose Edda
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Names: Annar, Annarr
bullet Wife: Night (her second husband)
bullet Children: Daughter Jörd with Night

Annarr had a daughter Jörd with the giantess Night. He was Night's second husband.


Angrboda

"Angrboda was the name of a certain giantess in Jötunheim, with whom Loki gat three children: one was Fenris-Wolf, the second Jörmungandr--that is the Midgard Serpent,--the third is Hel." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Giantess
bullet Gender: Female
bullet Names: Angrboda, Angrbodha, Angurboda, "Boder Of Ill", "Bringer of Anguish"
bullet Husband: Loki
bullet Children with Loki: Daughter Hel, Son Fenris-Wolf, Son Jörmungandr (Midgard Serpent)

She was a giantess and Loki's wife in Jotunheim. With Loki she had three monstrous children; Hel, Fenris and the Midgard serpent.


Askr

"When the sons of Borr were walking along the sea-strand, they found two trees, and took up the trees and shaped men of them: the first gave them spirit and life; the second, wit and feeling; the third, form, speech, hearing, and sight. They gave them clothing and names: the male was called Askr, and the female Embla, and of them was mankind begotten, which received a dwelling-place under Midgard." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human (First One!)
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Names: Ash, Ask, Askr, "Ash-Tree"
bullet Wife: Embla

The first man, Askr, was created from an ash tree found along a seashore by Odin, Vili and Ve. All humans descend from him and Embla.


Áslaug

"A daughter named Áslaug lived after young Sigurdr; she was reared with Heimir in Hlymdalir, and great houses are sprung from her." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human
bullet Gender: Female
bullet Father: Sigurdr Fáfnisbani
bullet Mother: Gudrún

Áslaug was the daughter of Sigurdr Fáfnisbani and Gudrún.


Atli

"King Atli, Budli's son, and brother of Brynhildr, then wedded Gudrún, whom Sigurdr had had to wife; and they had children." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Title: King
bullet Names: Atli, "The Terrible"
bullet Father: Budli
bullet Wife: Gudrún

Atli was the brother of Brynhildr. He was the second husband of his wife Gudrún.


Audumla

"Straightway after the rime dripped, there sprang from it the cow called Audumla; four streams of milk ran from her udders, and she nourished Ymir." Then asked Gangleri: "Wherewithal was the cow nourished?" And Hárr made answer: She licked the ice-blocks, which were salty; and the first day that she licked the blocks, there came forth from the blocks in the evening a man's hair; the second day, a man's head; the third day the whole man was there." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Cow
bullet Gender: Female
bullet Names: Audhumla, Audumla
bullet Children: Licked Búri out of salt

Audumla was an ancient cow who was the first form of life. She fed the giant Ymir and his brood with her milk, and she made the God Búri out of a block of ice by licking it into shape. Her udders provide four nourishing udders of milk. She is sometimes described as "hornless".


Audi

"Hálfdan and his wife had nine other sons also...Audi, from whom the Ödlungs are come...of the house of Ödlings, Kjárr" -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Father: Hálfdan the Old
bullet Mother: Alvig the Wise

He was one of the eighteen sons of King Hálfdan the Old and Alvig the Wise. King Hálfdan struck a bargain with the gods that his descendants would be of "great repute". 9 of his brothers were nonuplets that died in battle before having children. Audi founded the house of Ödlings.


Audr

"Nörfi or Narfi is the name of a giant that dwelt in Jötunheim: he had a daughter called Night; she was swarthy and dark, as befitted her race. She was given to the man named Naglfari; their son was Audr. Afterward she was wedded to him that was called Annarr; Jörd was their daughter. Last of all Dayspring had her, and he was of the race of the Æsir; their son was Day: he was radiant and fair after his father." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Father Man, Mother Giantess
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Names: Audhr, Audr
bullet Father: Naglfari (Human)
bullet Mother: Night (Giantess)

Audr is the son of the giantess Night (daughter of the giant Nörfi) and the human Naglfari.


Aurboda

"A certain man was called Gýmir, and his wife Aurboda: she was of the stock of the Hill-Giants; their daughter was Gerdr, who was fairest of all women." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Giantess
bullet Gender: Female
bullet Names: Aurboda, Aurbodha
bullet Husband: Gýmir
bullet Children with Gýmir: Gerdr

Aurboda was the giantess mother of Gerdr with the giant Gýmir.


Aurnir

"Hardy was Hrungnir, And his father; Yet was Thjazi Than they more mighty: Idi and Aurnir Of us twain are kinsmen,-- Brothers of Hill-Giants, Of them were we born." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Giant
bullet Gender: Male

Aurnir is a giant mentioned in the Prose Edda.


Atli

"Hálfdan and his wife had nine other sons also...Budli, from whom the Budlungs are come (from the house of the Budlungs Atli and Brynhildr descended)" -Prose Edda
"Thereafter Sigurdr and the sons of Gjúki went unto Atli, Budli's son, to sue for the hand of Brynhildr his sister in marriage to Gunnarr." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Father: Budli

Atli was descended from the house of Budlungs, founded by Budli.


Aurvandil (The Valiant)

"Thor went home to Thrúdvangar, and the hone remained sticking in his head. Then came the wise woman who was called Gróa, wife of Aurvandill the Valiant: she sang her spells over Thor until the hone was loosened." -Prose Edda
"Thor...told her these things: that he had waded from the north over Icy Stream and had borne Aurvandill in a basket on his back from the north out of Jötunheim. And he added for a token, that one of Aurvandill's toes had stuck out of the basket, and became frozen; wherefore Thor broke it off and cast it up into the heavens, and made thereof the star called Aurvandill's Toe." -Prose Edda
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Names: Aurvindil, Aurvandil, Aurvandill, Horwendil, Orwandil
bullet Spouse: Groa
bullet Interesting References: Nicole Cherry

He is called "Aurvandil the Bold". He was mentioned in the Prose Edda but not the Poetic Edda. A story about him told that Thor carried him out of Jotunheim and across the Elivigar in a basket on his back. Aurvandil's toe froze while crossing the freezing river. Thor broke it off and tossed it into the sky to create the star called "Aurvandil's Toe". The stars from his toes may have been Alcor in the big dipper and Rigel in Orion. Interestingly, an old Christian poem mentions Aurvandill/Earendel as a star or planet and may be Tolkien's inspiration for the elf star Earendil.

He appears as the hero "Horwendil" in a story of Danish history. He was the son of Gerwendil, brother of Feng and became king of Jutland. He killed the king of Norway by hacking off his foot, then married Gerutha (daughter of Rorik the Danish king). Their child was Amleth, or "Hamlet" from the Shakespearean story.


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Baldr

"How should one periphrase Baldr? By calling him Son of Odin and Frigg, Husband of Nanna, Father of Forseti, Possessor of Hringhorni and Draupnir, Adversary of Hödr, Companion of Hel, God of Tears." -Prose Edda
"The second son of Odin is Baldr, and good things are to be said of him. He is best, and all praise him; he is so fair of feature, and so bright, that light shines from him...He is the wisest of the Æsir, and the fairest-spoken and most gracious; and that quality attends him, that none may gainsay his judgments." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Æsir
bullet Title: God (Beauty, Light, Love, Peace)
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Names: "The Glorious", "God of Tears", "Warrior", Baldr, Baldur, Beldeg
bullet Father: Odin
bullet Mother: Frigg
bullet Wife: Nanna
bullet Twin: Brother Hod (Fraternal)
bullet Children: Forseti (with Nanna)

He was the god of light, peace, love and beauty. Best-loved of all the gods, he was handsome, kind, gentle and wise. He was the son of Odin and Frigg and fraternal twin of Hod. Baldur and his wife Nanna had a son Forseti, and they lived in Breidablik in Asgard. His mother Frigg asked all things in existence to promise not to harm Baldur, but overlooked asking the mistletoe. While the gods were playing a game of throwing things at Baldur, Loki tricked Baldur's blind twin Hod to throw a dart of mistletoe at him. It struck his heart and killed him. Hermod entered Hel's realm and convinced her to agree to resurrect Baldur if all living things would weep for him - unfortunately Loki disguised as a giantess named Thokk refused to weep and Baldur stayed dead. Baldur's wife Nanna died of heartache and they burned together in a funeral boat with his horse. Thor also kicked a dwarf into the boat before it sailed. Baldur is supposed to come back to life after Ragnarok. It is thought not many people worshipped Baldur because his name rarely occurs in names of places, so he may have originally been an ancient hero.


Bára

"...Ægir's Daughters, of them who are called Himinglæva, Dúfa, Blódughadda, Hefring, Udr, Hrönn, Bylgja, Bára, Kölga;" -Prose Edda" -Prose Edda
bullet Gender: Female
bullet Names: Bára, Bara, "Waves" (synonym)
bullet Father: Ægir
bullet Mother: Ran

Bára was one of the nine daughters of Ægir and Ran. She and her sisters represent the waves, along with Blódughadda, Bylgja, Dúfa, Himinglæva, Hefring, Hrönn, Kölga and Udr.


Baugi

"Odin sought a night's lodging with the giant who is called Baugi, Suttungr's brother" -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Giant
bullet Gender: Male

Baugi is a giant. He is the brother of Suttungr.


Beimuni

"They who followed King Beimuni were called Beimar." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human
bullet Title: King
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Title: King
bullet Gender: Male

King Beimuni's followers were called Beimar.


Beli

"A certain man was called Gýmir, and his wife Aurboda: she was of the stock of the Hill-Giants; their daughter was Gerdr, who was fairest of all women...Then Freyr answered and said that he had seen a fair woman; and for her sake he was so full of grief that he would not live long if he were not to obtain her. 'And now thou shalt go and woo her on my behalf and have her hither, whether her father will or no. I will reward thee well for it.' Then Skírnir answered thus: he would go on his errand, but Freyr should give him his own sword--which is so good that it fights of itself;--and Freyr did not refuse, but gave him the sword...This was to blame for Freyr's being so weaponless, when he fought with Beli, and slew him with the horn of a hart." Then said Gangleri: "'T is much to be wondered at, that such a great chief as Freyr is would give away his sword, not having another equally good. It was a great privation to him, when he fought with him called Beli; by my faith, he must have rued that gift." Then answered Hárr: "There was small matter in that, when he and Beli met; Freyr could have killed him with his hand. It shall come to pass that Freyr will think a worse thing has come upon him, when he misses his sword on that day that the Sons of Múspell go a-harrying." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Giant
bullet Gender: Male

Beli was a giant killed by Freyr with horn of a hart, because Freyr had given his special sword to Skírnir.


Bergelmir

"The sons of Borr slew Ymir the giant; lo, where he fell there gushed forth so much blood out of his wounds that with it they drowned all the race of the Rime-Giants, save that one, whom giants call Bergelmir, escaped with his household; he went upon his ship, and his wife with him, and they were safe there." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Rime Giants
bullet Gender: Male

Bergelmir and his wife were the only Rime-Giants that weren't killed by the flood of Ymir's blood.


Bestla

"He begat a son called Borr, who wedded the woman named Bestla, daughter of Bölthorn the giant; and they had three sons: one was Odin, the second Vili, the third Vé." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Giant Father
bullet Gender: Female
bullet Father: Bölthorn (Giant)
bullet Spouse: Borr (God)
bullet Children: Son Odin, Son Vili, and Son Vé

Bestla is the daughter of the giant Bölthorn. With Borr she was the mother of Odin, Vili and Vé.


Beyla

Not mentioned in Prose Edda

Beyla was the goddess of ale.


Bikki

"But Earl Bikki said that it was a better thing for Randvér to wed Svandhildr, since he and she were both young, whereas Jörmunrekkr was old. This counsel pleased the young folk well. Thereupon Bikki reported the matter to the king." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human
bullet Title: Earl
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Names: Bikki, Sibicho

Earl Bikki was the counselor of King Jörmunrekkr. The king was interested in marrying Svanhildr, but Bikki encouraged the king's son Randvér run off with Svanhildr instead. It eventually ended in tragedy after King Jörmunrekkr killed both his son and Svanhildr.


Bil

He took from the earth-two children, called Bil and Hjúki, they that went from the well called Byrgir, bearing on their shoulders the cask called Sægr, and the pole Simul. Their father is named Vidfinnr. These children follow Moon, as may be seen from the earth." -Prose Edda
"Sól and Bil are reckoned among the Ásynjur, but their nature has been told before." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human then Ásynjur
bullet Gender: Female
bullet Title: Goddess (Weaving)
bullet Names: Bil
bullet Father: Vidfinnr

Bil and her sibling Hjúki were coming back from a well with a pail on a pole and were then taken from earth by the moon. Reportedly spots in the moon show two people carrying a big bucket on a pole. Bil is also described as a goddess of weaving from a story referring to Bil weaving destiny. Vidfinn is the father of both children.


Bjárr

"And Bjárr rode Kertr" -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Unknown
bullet Unknown: Bjáf, Bjár, Bjárr

Bjárr rode the horse Kertr.


Blódughadda

"...Ægir's Daughters, of them who are called Himinglæva, Dúfa, Blódughadda, Hefring, Udr, Hrönn, Bylgja, Bára, Kölga" -Prose Edda
bullet Gender: Female
bullet Father: Ægir
bullet Names: Blódughadda, Blodhughadda, "Bloody Hair"
bullet Mother: Ran

Blódughadda was one of the nine daughters of Ægir and Ran. She and her sisters represent the waves, along with Bára, Bylgja, Dúfa, Himinglæva, Hefring, Hrönn, Kölga and Udr.


Bölthorn

"He is named Búri: he was fair of feature, great and mighty. He begat a son called Borr, who wedded the woman named Bestla, daughter of Bölthorn the giant; and they had three sons: one was Odin, the second Vili, the third Vé." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Giant
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Children: Daughter Bestla

Bölthorn is the giant father of Bestla (mother of Odin).


Borr

"He is named Búri: he was fair of feature, great and mighty. He begat a son called Borr, who wedded the woman named Bestla, daughter of Bölthorn the giant; and they had three sons: one was Odin, the second Vili, the third Vé." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: God
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Names: Bor, Borr
bullet Father: Búri
bullet Spouse: Bestla
bullet Children: Odin, Vili and Vé with Bestla

Borr was the son of Búri. He married Bestla and fathered Odin, Ve and Vili.


Bothvar

Not mentioned in Prose Edda

He was the second son of Bothvar who drowned to death.


Bragi (God)

"How should one paraphrase Bragi? By calling him Husband of Idunn, First Maker of Poetry, and the Long-bearded God (after his name, a man who has a great beard is called Beard-Bragi) and Son of Odin." -Prose Edda
"One is called Bragi: he is renowned for wisdom, and most of all for fluency of speech and skill with words. He knows most of skaldship, and after him skaldship is called bragr, and from his name that one is called bragr-man or -woman, who possesses eloquence surpassing others, of women or of men." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Æsir
bullet Title: God (Poesy, Poetry, Eloquence, Song)
bullet Names: Bragi, "First Maker of Poetry", "Long-Bearded God", "Song"
bullet Father: Odin (God)
bullet Mother: Gunnlöd (Giantess)
bullet Spouse: Idunn

He was the god of "poesy", poetry, eloquence and song. His songs recorded the deeds of warriors in battles. He was the son of the god Odin and the giantess Gunnlöd. He was married to Idunn.


Bragi (Man)

"Hálfdan and his wife had nine other sons also...Bragi, from whom the Bragnings are sprung (that is the race of Hálfdan the Munificent)" -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human
bullet Title: Bragi The Old
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Father: Hálfdan the Old
bullet Mother: Alvig the Wise

He was one of the eighteen sons of King Hálfdan the Old and Alvig the Wise. King Hálfdan struck a bargain with the gods that his descendants would be of "great repute". 9 of his brothers were nonuplets that died in battle before having children. Bragi started the line of Bragnings.


Brokk

"Then Loki wagered his head with the dwarf called Brokkr that Brokkr's brother Sindri could not make three other precious things equal in virtue to these." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Dwarf
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Names: Brokk, Brokkr
bullet Father: Ívaldi

Brokk was a hunchbacked gnome, the son of Ívaldi. He wagered with Loki - his brother Sindri's skill as a smith against his own head.


Búseyra

Thor "Didst spill the blood of Búseyra" -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Unknown

Búseyra was killed by Thor.


Brynhildr

"Hálfdan and his wife had nine other sons also...Budli, from whom the Budlungs are come (from the house of the Budlungs Atli and Brynhildr descended)" -Prose Edda
Then Sigurdr rode on till he found a house on the mountain, wherein a woman in helm and birnie lay sleeping. He drew his sword and cut the birnie from her: she awoke then, and gave her name as Hildr: she is called Brynhildr, and was a Valkyr.
bullet Race: Human
bullet Title: Valkyr
bullet Gender: Female
bullet Names: Hildr, Brynhildr
bullet Husband: Gunnarr

Brynhildr was descended from the house of Budlungs, founded by Budli. After a conspiracy between Gunnarr and his brother-in-law Sigurdr, Brynhildr was tricked into marrying Gunnarr. Later, she quarreled with her sister-in-law Gudrún (who was also Sigurdr's wife). Brynhildr conspired with her husband's brothers, causing her brother-in-law Gotthormr to kill their brother-in-law Sigurdr and Sigurdr's three year old son Sigmundr. During the struggle, Sigurdr managed to fight back and kill Gotthormr as well. Afterwards, Brynhildr killed herself with a sword and her body was burned with Sigurdr's.


Budli

"Hálfdan and his wife had nine other sons also...Budli, from whom the Budlungs are come (from the house of the Budlungs Atli and Brynhildr descended)" -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Father: Hálfdan the Old
bullet Mother: Alvig the Wise
bullet Children: Atli, Brynhildr

He was one of the eighteen sons of King Hálfdan the Old and Alvig the Wise. King Hálfdan struck a bargain with the gods that his descendants would be of "great repute". 9 of his brothers were nonuplets that died in battle before having children. Budli founded the house of Budlungs and was the ancestor of Atli and Brynhildr.


Búi

"Thus sang Einarr Tinkling-Scale: Helm-folded strife-bold Búi,-- Who from the south went forth Into Gunn's Crash" -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Unknown

Búi is mentioned in the Prose Edda.


Búri

"He is named Búri: he was fair of feature, great and mighty." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: God
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Names: Búri, Buri
bullet Mother: Audhumla sort of (she licked him out of a salt block)
bullet Children: Borr

Búri was the first god, licked from the ice by Audhumla the ancient snow cow. He was the father of Borr and grandfather of Odin, Ve and Vili.


Byggvir

Not mentioned in Prose Edda

Byggvir is the god of ale.


Býleistr

"He is named Loki or Loptr, son of Fárbauti the giant; his mother was Laufey or Nál; his brothers are Býleistr and Helblindi." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Giant Father, Human Mother
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Father: Fárbauti (Presumably as brother of Loki)
bullet Mother: Laufey (Presumably as brother of Loki)

Býleistr was the brother of Loki.


Bylgja

"...Ægir's Daughters, of them who are called Himinglæva, Dúfa, Blódughadda, Hefring, Udr, Hrönn, Bylgja, Bára, Kölga;" -Prose Edda
bullet Gender: Female
bullet Names: Bylgja, Bylgia, "Waves" (synonym)
bullet Father: Ægir
bullet Mother: Ran

Bylgja was one of the nine daughters of Ægir and Ran. She and her sisters represent the waves, along with Bára, Blódughadda, Dúfa, Himinglæva, Hefring, Hrönn, Kölga and Udr.


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Dagr

"Hálfdan and his wife had nine other sons also...Dagr, from whom come the Döglings" -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Father: Hálfdan the Old
bullet Mother: Alvig the Wise

He was one of the eighteen sons of King Hálfdan the Old and Alvig the Wise. King Hálfdan struck a bargain with the gods that his descendants would be of "great repute". 9 of his brothers were nonuplets that died in battle before having children. Dagr founded the house of Döglings.


Day

"Nörfi or Narfi is the name of a giant that dwelt in Jötunheim: he had a daughter called Night; she was swarthy and dark, as befitted her race. She was given to the man named Naglfari; their son was Audr. Afterward she was wedded to him that was called Annarr; Jörd was their daughter. Last of all Dayspring had her, and he was of the race of the Æsir; their son was Day: he was radiant and fair after his father." -Prose Edda
"The horse that Day has is called Sheen-Mane, and he illumines all the air and the earth from his mane." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Father Æsir, Mother Giantess
bullet Title: God (Day)
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Names: Day
bullet Father: Dayspring
bullet Mother: Night

Day is the son of the giantess Night and the Æsir Dayspring. He rides the horse Sheen-Mane.


Dayspring

"Nörfi or Narfi is the name of a giant that dwelt in Jötunheim: he had a daughter called Night; she was swarthy and dark, as befitted her race. She was given to the man named Naglfari; their son was Audr. Afterward she was wedded to him that was called Annarr; Jörd was their daughter. Last of all Dayspring had her, and he was of the race of the Æsir; their son was Day: he was radiant and fair after his father." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Æsir
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Wife: Night (Giantess)
bullet Children with Night: Son Day

Dayspring fathered a son Day with the giantess Night.


Dúfa

"...Ægir's Daughters, of them who are called Himinglæva, Dúfa, Blódughadda, Hefring, Udr, Hrönn, Bylgja, Bára, Kölga;" -Prose Edda
bullet Gender: Female
bullet Names: Dúfa, Dufa, Synonym for "Waves"
bullet Father: Ægir
bullet Mother: Ran

Dúfa was one of the nine daughters of Ægir and Ran. She and her sisters represent the waves, along with Bára, Blódughadda, Bylgja, Himinglæva, Hefring, Hrönn, Kölga and Udr.


Dwarf

There are many dwarves in Norse mythology.

Dwarves In The Prose Edda
Althjófr Fidr Lovarr Rekkr
Andvari Fíli Mjödvitnir Sindri
Austri Fjalarr Módsognir Skáfidr
BÁFURR Frosti Náinn Skirfir
Bifurr Fundinn Nár Sudri
Brokkr GALARR Nidi Svíarr
Bömburr Gandálfr Nípingr Thekkr
Dáinn Ginnarr Nordri Thorinn
Dólgthvari Glóinn Nóri Thróinn
Dóri Hárr North Thrór
Draupnir Heptifíli Nýi Váli
Dúfr Hledjólfr Nýr Vestri
Durinn Hugstari Nýrádr Viggr
Dvalinn Hörr Óinn Vindálfr
East Ívaldi Ónarr Virfir
Eikinskjaldi Kíli Óri Vitr
Falr Litr Rádsvidr Yngvi

 


E

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Egil

Not mentioned in Prose Edda
bullet Gender: Male

Father of Bothvar.


Eir

"Air". She was the goddess of healing.


Eiríkr (1)

bullet Race: Human
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Father: Earl Hákon the Mighty

Eiríkr was the son of Earl Hákon the Mighty and mentioned in the Prose Edda.


Eiríkr (Wise In Speech)

"...of the house of the Ylfings was Eiríkr the Wise in Speech" -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human
bullet Names: Eiríkr the Wise-In-Speech

Eiríkr the Wise-in-Speech was of the house of Ylfings.


Eldir

Not mentioned in the Prose Edda?
bullet Names: Eldir

"Fire-Kindler" was a servant in the hall of Ægir.


Embla

"When the sons of Borr were walking along the sea-strand, they found two trees, and took up the trees and shaped men of them: the first gave them spirit and life; the second, wit and feeling; the third, form, speech, hearing, and sight. They gave them clothing and names: the male was called Askr, and the female Embla, and of them was mankind begotten, which received a dwelling-place under Midgard." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Woman (The First One!)
bullet Names: Embla, "Maple"
bullet Parents: Created by Odin, Vili and Ve from a tree

Odin, Vili and Ve created the first man (Askr) and woman (Embla) from an alder tree.


Erpr

"After that she [Gudrún] went to the shore and leaped into the sea, desiring to make an end of herself; but she was tossed by the billows over the firth, and was borne to King Jónakr's land. And when he saw her, he took her to him and wedded her, and they had three sons, called Sörli, Hamdir, and Erpr: they were all raven-black of hair, like Gunnarr and Högni and the other Niflungs." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Names: Erpr
bullet Father: King Jónakr
bullet Mother: Gudrún

Erpr was the son of his mother Gudrún and father Jónakr. He was his mother's favorite and for that reason was killed by his brothers Sörli and Hamdir.


Eylimi

"Hálfdan and his wife had nine other sons also...the eighth was Lofdi, who was a great war-king (that host who were called Lofdar followed him; his kindred are called Lofdungs, whence sprang Eylimi, Sigurdr Fáfnisbani's mother's sire)" -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Names: Eylimi
bullet Children: Daughter Hjördís

Eylimi descended from the house of Lofdar and Lofdungs and was the maternal grandfather of Sigurdr.


Eymundr

"There was a king named Hálfdan the Old, who was most famous of all kings...Then he took in marriage that woman named Alvig the Wise, daughter of King Eymundr of Hólmgardr" -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Title: King of Hólmgardr
bullet Names: Eymundr
bullet Children: Daughter Alvig

King Eymundr of Hólmgardr (Russia) had a daughter named Alvig the Wise.


F

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Fáfnir

"Now the husbandman who dwelt there was named Hreidmarr: he was a man of much substance, and very skilled in black magic. The Æsir asked him for a night's lodging, saying that they had sufficient food with them, and showed him their catch. But when Hreidmarr saw the otter, straight way he called to him his sons, Fáfnir and Reginn, and told them that the otter their brother was slain, and who had done that deed. It Now father and sons went up to the Æsir, seized them, bound them, and told them about the otter, how he was Hreidmarr's son." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Names: Fáfnir, Fafnir
bullet Father: Hreidmarr

Fáfnir was the son of the black magician Hreidmarr and brother of Reginn and Otter. After Loki killed their brother Otter, Fáfnir and Reginn imprisoned Odin, Loki and Hœnir until they agreed to pay restitution by filling the otter skin with red gold. The gods included a cursed ring with the ransom money and gave it to the father Hreidmarr. In fulfillment of the curse, the brothers Fáfnir and Reginn killed their father after he refused to share the gold, then the brothers quarreled over the gold's distribution. Fáfnir took the gold and turned into a serpent to protect it. Reginn became the smith for King Hjálprekr and created the sword Gramr. After convincing the hero Sigurdr to kill his brother Fáfnir with Gramr, Reginn inexplicably demanded restitution from Sigurdr for killing his brother and was promptly killed by Sigurdr as well.


Farbauti

Giant parent of Loki.


Fárbauti

bullet Race: Giant
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Children: Loki

Fárbauti was the giant father of Loki.


Fenja

"King Fródi went to a feast in Sweden at the court of the king who was called Fjölnir, and there he bought two maid-servants, Fenja and Menja: they were huge and strong." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Giantess
bullet Gender: Female

Fenja was a giantess. She turned the stones of the mill Grotti for King Fródi with the help of another Menja.


Fenris

"From The Swamp". Fenris was a wolf so huge that all the gods were terrified of him. The Æsir had the dwarves create a rope to bind him with and confined him to an isolated island. The god Tyr lost his right hand putting the rope on Fenris. He was the son of Angrboda and Loki, and the brother of Hel and the Midgard serpent.


Fjörgvinn

"His wife was called Frigg daughter of Fjörgvinn" -Prose Edda
bullet Names: Fjörgvin, Fjörgvinn, Fjörgynn
bullet Children: Frigg, Jörd

Fjörgvin was the parent of Frigg.


Fimafeng

"Handy" was a servant in Ægir's hall.


Fir

"Which are the Ásynjur?...The third is Fir: she is the best physician." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Ásynjur
bullet Gender: Female

Fir was one of the Ásynjur and described as the best physician.


Fjölnir

"King Fródi went to a feast in Sweden at the court of the king who was called Fjölnir, and there he bought two maid-servants, Fenja and Menja: they were huge and strong." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Title: King (Sweden)

King Fjölnir of Sweden hosted a fest where King Fródi bought the two giantesses Fenja and Menja as servants.


Fornjótr

"How should the wind be periphrased? Thus: call it Son of Fornjótr, Brother of the Sea and of Fire, Scathe or Ruin or Hound or Wolf of the Wood or of the Sail or of the Rigging. Thus spake Sveinn in the Nordrsetu-drápa: First began to fly Fornjótr's sons ill-shapen." -Prose Edda
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Children: Wind

Fornjótr is called the father of the wind.


Forseti

bullet Race: Æsir
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Title: God (Justice)
bullet Father: Baldr
bullet Mother: Nanna

"He who sits in the front seat." Forseti was the god of justice and the chief judge of the Æsir. He plays an important role in Ragnarok, the end of the world. He was the son of Baldr and Nanna.


Freyr

"Freyr is the most renowned of the Æsir; he rules over the rain and the shining of the sun, and therewithal the fruit of the earth; and it is good to call on him for fruitful seasons and peace. He governs also the prosperity of men." -Prose Edda
"How should one paraphrase Freyr? Thus: by calling him Son of Njördr, Brother of Freyja, and also God of Vanir, and Kinsman of the Vanir, and Wane, and God of the Fertile Season, and God of Wealth-Gifts." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Vanir
bullet Gender: Male
bullet Names: "The Foremost", Freyr
bullet God Of: Sunshine, Rain, Peace, Fertility, Earth
bullet Father: Njördr
bullet Mother: Skadi (Giantess)
bullet Twin: Sister Freya
bullet Spouse: Gerd
bullet Children: Unknown

Frey was the god of sunshine, rain, peace, fertility and earth. He was also the lord of the light-elves, the friendly fertility spirits. On his golden boar he plowed the earth and made it green. He sends rain and sunshine to the earth. He was the son of the Vanir God Njord and Skadi and described as "fair of face and mighty". He was first married to his twin sister Freya, but later married the Jotun maiden Gerd. They lived in Alfheim.


Freyja

When she goes forth, she drives her cats and sits in a chariot; she is most conformable to man's prayers, and from her name comes the name of honor, Frú, by which noblewomen are called. Songs of love are well-pleasing to her; it is good to call on her for furtherance in love." -Prose Edda
"How should one paraphrase Freyja? Thus: by calling her Daughter of Njördr, Sister of Freyr, Wife of Ódr, Mother of Hnoss, Possessor of the Slain, of Sessrúmnir, of the Gib-Cats, and of Brísinga-men; Goddess of the Vanir, Lady of the Vanir, Goddess Beautiful in Tears, Goddess of Love." -Prose Edda
"And here Einarr has further periphrased Freyja so as to call her Mother of Hnoss, or Wife of Ódr" -Prose Edda
"Which are the Ásynjur?...Freyja is most gently born (together with Frigg): she is wedded to the man named Ódr. Their daughter is Hnoss: she is so fair, that those things which are fair and precious are called hnossir. Ódr went away on long journeys, and Freyja weeps for him, and her tears are red gold. Freyja has many names, and this is the cause thereof: that she gave herself sundry names, when she went out among unknown peoples seeking Ódr: she is called Mardöll and Hörn, Gefn, Sýr. Freyja had the necklace Brísinga-men. She is also called Lady of the Vanir." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Vanir & Ásynjur
bullet Gender: Female
bullet Title: Goddess (Beauty, Love, Magic)
bullet Names: "Lady", "Mistress", Freyja
bullet Home: Fólkvangr in Asgard
bullet Father: Njördr
bullet Mother: Skadi (Giantess)
bullet Twin: Brother Frey
bullet Spouse: Ódr
bullet Children with Ódr: Daughter Hnoss

Freya was the Vanir goddess of beauty, love and magic. She loves music and spring and is particularly fond of the elves and giving relationship advice. Her home in Asgard was called the "Field of Men" and her necklace Brisingamen was said to be the Milky Way. When she left to go hunting she rode a chariot and would keep one-half of her kill and give the other half to Odin. She was the daughter of the Vanir God Njördr and Skadi, and twin sister of Frey (who she may have married). She had a daughter Hnoss with her husband Od who later vanished. Later, she married Odin.


Fridleifr

One of Odin's sons, named Skjöldr,--from whom the Skjöldungs are come,--had his abode and ruled in the realm which now is called Denmark, but then was known as Gotland. Skjöldr's son, who ruled the land after him, was named Fridleifr. Fridleifr's son was Fródi: he succeeded to the kingdom after his father, in the time when Augustus Caesar imposed peace on all the world; at that time Christ was born." -Prose Edda
bullet Race: Human