Vanirs

Vanirs are a group of deities in Norse mythology, one of the two major orders of gods alongside the Aesir. They are traditionally associated with fertility, prosperity, nature, and magical arts, and are described as more peaceful and closely connected to the earth and weather than the warlike Aesir. The Vanir are said to inhabit the realm of Vanaheim, one of the Nine Worlds, and their influence is often linked to growth, harvests, and wealth.

The best-attested Vanir figures are Njord, Freyr, and Freyja. Njord governs the sea and winds and is invoked for favorable voyages and seafaring success. Freyr is a god of fertility, kingship, and abundance, while Freyja, a prominent goddess of love, beauty, and magic (including seiðr), plays a central role in Vanir worship. In some later tellings, other deities and figures are associated with the Vanir, but Njord, Freyr, and Freyja are the core trio most frequently named in surviving sources.

Relationship with the Aesir: In Norse myth, the Aesir and Vanir waged war before forming a treaty of peace. The peace was sealed by exchanging hostages between the two groups, a common motif in mythic diplomacy. This exchange helped fuse the two pantheons, and over time deities from the Vanir and Aesir appear within each other’s traditions, contributing to a more interconnected Norse mythic world.

Sources and interpretation: Much of what is known about the Vanir comes from the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda, medieval compilations of Norse myth. The name "Vanir" likely reflects their ancient, earth- and fertility-focused roles, though the exact etymology remains uncertain.