óvanir

Óvanir is a term of Norse mythological origin, generally translated as "the unavenged" or "those unavenged." It refers to the spirits of the dead who have met untimely or violent ends and whose deaths have not been avenged by their kin. These spirits were believed to be restless and potentially dangerous, capable of causing harm to the living.

In Norse belief, a proper burial and the avenging of a wrongful death were important aspects of maintaining the balance between the world of the living and the realm of the dead. Failure to uphold these customs could result in the deceased becoming an óvanir. Such spirits might wander the earth, seeking retribution or causing misfortune.

The concept of óvanir highlights the Norse emphasis on kinship, honor, and the consequences of societal or familial obligations being left unfulfilled. While not a major pantheon or group of deities, the óvanir represent a significant aspect of the Norse understanding of death, the afterlife, and the spiritual dangers that could arise from disrespecting the dead or their memory. Their presence served as a reminder of the importance of justice and the communal responsibility to protect the living from the disturbances of the restless dead.