Hildisvini

Hildisvini is a figure mentioned in Norse mythology. The name itself translates to "battle swine" or "war pig". Hildisvini is most notably associated with Freyja, the goddess of love, beauty, fertility, war, and death. According to the Poetic Edda, in the poem Hávamál, Odin, disguised as Hárr, tells a story of his encounter with the powerful sorceress magical powers. Freyja, in her role as a sorceress, possesses the ability to transform herself or others. It is within this context that Hildisvini appears.

When Freyja is in her chariot, pulled by cats, she is also described as riding Hildisvini. This suggests that Hildisvini is either a boar that Freyja rides or a boar that is somehow connected to her power and mobility. Some interpretations suggest Hildisvini is a literal boar, while others propose it is a metaphorical representation of Freyja's strength or a protective spirit. The specific nature of Hildisvini remains somewhat ambiguous in the surviving mythological texts, adding to its enigmatic quality within the Norse pantheon.