Njord

Njord, or Njǫrðr, is a major deity in Norse mythology associated with the sea, winds, fishing, and wealth. He belongs to the Vanir, a group of fertility and nature gods, and is linked with the Aesir through a treaty-era exchange after the Aesir–Vanir War. His domain and practices emphasize seafaring prosperity, and he is often invoked by sailors and merchants for favorable winds and safe passage.

Njord is commonly described as the father of Freyr and Freyja, two prominent fertility deities, though the identity of their mother varies across sources. In some tales his wife is named Skadi, the giantess of winter and mountains, whose marriage to him ends due to conflicting preferences for land and sea. His dwelling is Noatun, a hall by the coast that reflects his maritime ties. While his Vanir origins are noted, Njord is frequently treated as a cosmopolitan figure within the Norse pantheon, maintained in memories of seafaring wealth and fertility. His worship declined with Christianization, but he remains a recurring figure in later Norse-inspired storytelling and modern popular culture.