Freyr

Freyr, also known as Frey, is a major figure in Norse mythology and a prominent deity of the Vanir. He is the son of Njord and the brother of Freyja, and he is closely associated with fertility, prosperity, fair weather, and peace. In the myths, Freyr is often linked with kingship and the blessing of crops and cattle, embodying abundance and agricultural renewal.

Freyr is depicted with several notable possessions. He owns Skidbladnir, a ship that always has a favorable wind and can be folded up for convenient portability. He also possesses Gullinbursti, a radiant boar forged by dwarfs to pull his chariot. Additionally, Freyr bears a magical sword that can fight on its own; he later gives the weapon to win the hand of the giantess Gerðr, leaving him without a sword in the events surrounding Ragnarok.

In the mythic corpus, Freyr’s fate is tied to the broader fate of the gods. His alliance with the Vanir marks the integration of his group with the Aesir after a period of conflict. At Ragnarok, Freyr is foretold to die in combat with Surtr, a consequence some sources attribute to his having given away his sword.

Worship and legacy of Freyr are tied to fertility rites and the agrarian calendar in early Scandinavian religion. He and Freyja were central figures in Vanir worship, and medieval accounts, such as that of Adam of Bremen, describe a major temple at Old Uppsala dedicated to Freyr. The historicity and specifics of such a temple are debated among scholars. The name Freyr is generally linked to a meaning akin to "lord" or "master," reflecting his status as a powerful, sovereign fertility deity.