SOURCE4 Some of the more significant pagan deities were Odin, Freya and Thor.
ODIN
Chief god; and god of wisdom, war, death and poetry Married to Frigg. Sons included Thor (god of thunder and lightning) and Balder (god of light) Long grey beard and one eye. He traded one eye to drink at the well of wisdom. Invented the runes, using them to communicate and to do magic tricks Rode an eight-legged horse called Sleipnir Had a spear that always hit its target, and a bow that fired ten arrows at once Had two ravens which flew into the world every day to collect information Thought to have inspired the name ‘Wednesday’ (Woden’s Day)
FREYA AND FREY
Freya was the goddess of love, fertility and war. Frey was the god of crops and fertility and was associated with prosperity and abundance.
The twin siblings were the children of Njord, the god of the sea and ships. When Freya lost her husband, her tears fell to the ground as amber. Freya drove a chariot pulled by cats, while Frey’s chariot was pulled by boars.
Freya wore a feather coat when she wanted to fly. Frey had a ship that he could fold up into a bag. Freya is thought to have inspired the name ‘Friday’ (Freya’s Day). Frey lived in the homeland of the elves.
THOR
The eldest son of Odin, and god of thunder and lightning Made crops grow and fought giants to protect people from evil A quick-tempered, very strong and tall man, with red hair and beard and wild eyes Drove a cart pulled by two giant goats. Vikings believed that thunder was the sound of its turning wheels. Threw a hammer called Mjollnir (caused lightning) which always hit its target and returned to his hand Wore iron gloves so he could throw and catch his mighty hammer Wore a belt called Megingjard, which made him ten times as strong Married to Siv, the goddess of the cornfields Thought to have inspired the name ‘Thursday’ (Thor’s Day)
168 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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