Wðinaz

Wðinaz is a reconstructed Proto-Germanic deity associated with victory and possibly wisdom. The name Wðinaz is a scholarly reconstruction, as the name of this deity is not directly attested in surviving texts. It is believed to be the precursor to the Old Norse god Odin and the Old High German Wōdan. The suffix -az is a common reconstructed ending for masculine nouns in Proto-Germanic.

Evidence for Wðinaz comes from comparative linguistics and the later attested figures of Odin and Wōdan. These later deities are strongly linked to war, poetry, magic, and kingship, suggesting that their Proto-Germanic ancestor may have held similar domains. The connection to victory is particularly emphasized in scholarly discussions, often linked to the name's potential root related to "wind" or "frenzy," implying a force that sweeps over the battlefield.

The worship of Wðinaz would have predated the migration period and the emergence of distinct Germanic tribes. It is a hypothetical deity whose attributes and cult practices are inferred from the more well-documented descendants. The study of Wðinaz is crucial for understanding the origins of Norse and Continental Germanic mythology and religious beliefs, providing a glimpse into the common spiritual heritage of these cultures.