Aesir

The Æsir (Old Norse: Ás, plural Æsir) are the principal pantheon of gods in Norse mythology. The term denotes the major group of deities associated with power, sovereignty, war, and the sky, and they are often contrasted with the Vanir, a separate group of fertility and nature deities. In myth as recorded in the Norse sources, the Æsir reside in Asgard, one of the Nine Worlds, and are linked to Midgard by the rainbow bridge Bifröst.

Origin and role within myth: The Æsir are traditionally depicted as sovereign gods who oversee order, kingship, and protection of human communities. After a war with the Vanir, the two groups reconciled through hostages and formed a unified pantheon, with both Æsir and Vanir worshipped in later traditions. Their stories cover creation, cosmology, divine governance, war, fate, and interactions with giants (Jötnar) and other beings.

Notable members: Odin is the Allfather and ruler of the Æsir; Thor is the god of thunder and a principal protector of humanity; Baldr is the god of light and purity; Tyr governs law and heroic glory; Frigg is Odin’s wife and a goddess of marriage. Other important figures include Heimdall, Bragi, and Idunn. Loki is a complex figure closely associated with the Æsir, sometimes described as a blood-brother of Odin, though he is not always counted among the core group.

Artifacts and symbolism: The myths frequently link the Æsir to iconic objects such as Mjölnir (Thor’s hammer), Gungnir (Odin’s spear), and Draupnir (a ceremonial ring). The Æsir appear prominently in the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, and their tales have influenced modern literature and popular culture.