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The Aesir were the principal race of gods. They were mostly warrior gods that lived in the beautiful city of Asgard, on the
top level of the universe. It was located on a high plain at the top of a great mountain. From here the god, Odin, can see
all that goes on in all the worlds. In the later myths there is a wall around Asgard to protect it from invasions. The only
way in or out of Asgard is over the rainbow bridge Bifrost, which was guarded by the god Heimball.
ODIN
Odin- King of the gods. Also known as All-Father
Thor- God of thunder.
Loki- Loki was not truly a god but a giant. Yet he was the foster brother of Odin so he was thought of as an Aesir god.
Frigg- Wife of Odin and mother of Balder. She lived in her hall, Fensalir, in Asgard. She could see the future of all
men but would never reveal what she had seen. She was the goddesses of marriage, motherhood, love and fertility. She tried
to prevent the death of her son, Balder, by getting a pledge from every living thing on the earth that they would not harm
him, yet she had missed the mistletoe. She would weave the clouds in the sky.
Tyr- At different times in Norse Mythology he was thought of in different ways. In early Norse Mythology (pre-Viking)
he was the god of war. Yet, at the time of the Vikings Odin became the god of war, leaving Tyr as just being a warrior god.
Tyr was a great warrior that was bold, brave, and could inspire others to do great things. He only had one hand for he was
the only man brave enough to feed the gigantic wolf Fenrir. Fenrir was the son of Loki and the gods kept him chained in Asgard.
Fenrir would only allow them to put the chains on him if one of the gods put their hand in his mouth. Tyr was the only one
that had the courage to do it, and when he did Fenrir ate it off.
Heimdall- Son of Odin and the guardian of the rainbow bridge Bifrost. He would carry a large golden trumpet called Gjallarhorn.
He would use it to warn the Aesir that a danger was coming. He would let no man, giant, or dwarf cross the bridge without
the gods permission. Heimdall could see hundreds of miles in any direction. He needed little to no sleep and his hearing
was so keen that he could hear grass grow.
Ull- God of winter, the chase, overall combat, archery, hunting and trapping, and snowshoes. He was the son of Thor and
Sif.
Bragi- God of poetry and song. He was the son of Odin and the giantess Gunnlod. His father shared the mead of poetry
with him, thus causing him to become the god of poetry. Bragi had a youthful face but it was
son of Odin and the giantess Gunnlod. His father shared the mead of poetry with him, thus causing him to become the god
of poetry. Bragi had a youthful face but it was covered with a white beard. He was married to Idunn the Goddesses of Youth.
Var- Goddess of marriage contacts and agreements. She would take vengeance on those who broke the agreements.
Ve(Lothur)- Son of Bor and the frost giantess Bestla. He was brother to Villi and Odin. His name means holy. He, along
with his brothers, killed the giant Ymir and used his body to make the world. Out of an elm tree they madethe first woman
and out of ash they made the first man. Ve gave women flesh of youth, the use of her five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste
and touch) and the power of understanding. To men he gave the gift of understanding and of the five senses but not the beauty
of youth.
Vili(Hoenir)- Son of Bor and the frost giantess Bestka. He was brother to Ve and Odin. He, along with his brothers, killed
the giant Ymir and used his body to make the world. Out of an elm tree they made the first woman and out of an ash tree they
made man. Villi gave both men and women knowledge and the ability to speak
Vidar- Son of Odin and the Giantess Grid. He was the god of silence and revenge and he was the second strongest of all
the gods. His hall in Asgard is Vidi.
Hodur- He was the blind god of darkness and winter. He was the son of Odin and Frigg. He was tricked into throwing a mistletoe
at his brother Balder and killed him. He was put to death by Vidar.
Forseti- God of justice. He lived in a palace in Asgard
named Glitnir. His palace would serve as a court of justices. It was here that all legal disputes were settled. He was
the son of Balder and Nanna.
Aegir- God of the sea. He was a personification of the ocean, be it good or evil. He brewed ale for the gods. During
the winter the gods would come to his palaces to feast on deer. He was known to be a very hospitable god for letting them
all stay. There was no need for a fireplace in his hall for his floors were made of gold to provide light. His hall was a
sanctuary where no violence could be committed. He was married to the goddesses Ran and they had nine daughters together.
His nine daughters were known as the waves.Ran- Goddesses of the storms. She was married to Aegir the god of the sea. They
had nine daughters together and they were known as the waves. They were always seen wearing white robes and veils. Ran hall
under the sea was the home of the dead. All men that died at sea would go here. Ran was even known to sink ships at sea in
order to collect the dead. Men who died atsea could not go to Valhalla or Hel.
Balder- Balder was the god of light, joy, purity, beauty, innocence and reconciliation. He was the son of Odin and Frigg.
Of all the gods he was the most loved by the people for he was friendly, wise, and eloquent. He was married to Nanna and they
had a son, Forseti. He had dreams of dieing, so his mother extracted a promise from all creatures, objects, and forces of
nature that they would not harm her son; yet, she had forgotten the mistletoe. Loki tricked Hodur, Balders twin brother,
into hitting him with a mistletoe and Balder died. Hermod was sent to Hel to see if he could get Balder back. Hel said that
she would let him go if all living creatures were to cry for him. All did, but one giant who they later found out was Loki
in disguise.
Hermod- Messenger of the gods. He was the son of Odin and Frigga. When Balder died he volunteered to make the journey
to Hel to try and get him back. He carried a magical staff called Gambantein.
Saga- Goddesses of poetry, poetic arts, and history. She was the daughter of Odin.
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