Freya

Freya (also Freyja) is a central figure in Norse mythology, a goddess associated with love, beauty, fertility, and sexuality, and also connected to magic, war, and death. In the primary sources, she is described as the daughter of Njord and the sister of Freyr. She is sometimes said to be the wife of Óðr and mother to the children Hnoss and Gersemi. Freya is renowned for her magical abilities, particularly seiðr, a form of sorcery that she both uses and teaches. She owns the golden necklace Brísingamen and travels in a chariot drawn by two cats. Her hall is Sessrúmnir, located in Fólkvangr, where she receives a share of those who die in battle.

In Norse myth, Freya also holds a significant role in the afterlife. She is said to claim half of the fallen warriors for her own hall, with the remaining half going to Odin at Valhalla. This dual role for the goddess—associated with love and beauty on one hand and with war and death on the other—highlights the complex nature of Freya in the mythic tradition. She is often distinguished from Frigg (Frigga), though later retellings sometimes blur these figures.

The name Freya is derived from Old Norse Freyja and is related to terms meaning “lady” or “mistress.” In modern times, Freya has become a popular given name in many countries. The figure has also appeared in contemporary fiction and media, where she is depicted with varying emphasis on romance, magic, or strength, reflecting her enduring presence in cultural imagination.