Freyr Facts & Worksheets

Freyr is a significant Deity from the Vanir clan of Norse mythology that arose during the Viking Age of Scandinavian society–which comprises the country’s Norway, Sweden, and Denmark today. Freyr is known as the God of peace, fertility, and good weather, and he is worshiped for his association with prosperity, good harvest, weddings, and virility.

See the fact file below for more information on Freyr, or you can download our 28-page Freyr worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ORIGIN

• Freyr is presented as the son of the Njord, the God of wind and waters in Norse mythology. He is associated as the God of peace, fertility, and good weather in mythological stories of Icelandic literature: the prose edda and poetic edda–significant sources of knowledge about Norse mythology.
• Freyr became the predominant God of the Vanir family during the agricultural Viking Age of Scandinavian society in 790-1100 CE because of his connection with good harvest, weddings, and virility. 
• The prose edda contains information on Norse mythology. It was written by Snorri Sturluson, a chieftain, historian, and poet in Iceland in the 12th century. On the other hand, poetic edda is a compiled collection of literature and manuscripts about Norse mythology written in poems by different authors.
• As compared to prose edda, documents contained in poetic edda are older; in fact, Snorri used the poetic edda in writing his prose edda.

ETYMOLOGY

• The name Freyr was derived from the Proto-Germanic word “frawan”, which means “lord”  in Norse. The feminine counterpart of the name Freyr is “Freya”, which means “lady.”  Freya is the twin sister of Freyr in Norse mythology. 
• Freyr also has other names. He is also called Yngvi which suggests he is the eponymous father of the north Germans. He is also referred to as Yngvi-Freyr, which represents the ancestor of the Swedish kings.

POWER AND ATTRIBUTES

• Freyr is one of the important deities of Norse mythology who belongs to the clans of Vanir Deities. He is known as the God of peace, fertility, and good weather. 
• Freyr was said to command the rain and sun, making him the catalyst of good harvest and life in the fields. Alongside this, he gives wealth, pleasure, and peace to mortal people, which is significant to the Norse realm.
• Freyr is characterized by the presence of his three magical artifacts: his sword, his magical ship, and a golden boar from dwarf-master smith. The sword of Freyr is very powerful; it can fight his enemy on its own.
• The ship of Freyr is made of gold and can sail even in unfavorable wind, which can be folded up to the size of his pouch. 
• The golden boar of Freyr is also called Gullinbursti. It can run faster than a horse, and it shines brightly during the night. This allows Freyr to mount through the sky and run over land.

NORSE MYTHOLOGY

• Norse mythology, also known as Scandinavian or Germanic mythology, comprises a collection of pre-Christian religions, beliefs, and stories shared by the Scandinavian people and Northern Germanic tribes, including those who settled in Iceland. 
• The practice and belief of Norse mythology started during the Viking Age, which is around 790 to 1100 CE, in the Scandinavian region that comprises Sweden, Norway, and Denmark today.
• Norse mythology was passed down through generations in the form of oral poetry until the 13th century, when it was written down into text.
• Norse mythology is composed of different deities derived from manuscript, folk tradition, and archaeological presentations before the pagan period and during the middle ages.
• Norse mythology remains in today’s literature. It has been an inspiration for stage productions and movies, especially in the Scandinavian region.

AESIR AND VANIR

• There are two major clans of deities in Norse mythology: the Vanir and Aesir. The Vanir gods are associated with fertility, wisdom, wealth, and commerce. They also can foresee the future. This group of deities resides in Vanaheimr, a lush world in the heart of nature.
• Freyr belonged to the Vanir gods, known for their supernatural powers. They use magic in fighting during battle. Along with him are his twin sister Freya and his father Njord, who is believed to be the leader of their clan.  
• In contrast to the Vanir gods, who have magical powers, the Aesir gods are known for their bravery and force in using combat weapons in fighting and possess superhuman abilities. These clans of deities reside in Asgard, a dwelling place of gods.
• The Aesir clan of deities is led by Odin, who is described as the allfather ruler of Asgard; he is also the god of wisdom and war and is considered the strongest god in Norse mythology. Odin has superhuman strength, speed, and an extremely long life which is common to his fellow Aesir. 
• Odin’s son Thor is known as the god of thunder and lightning. He can command rain and storms and bring thunder and lightning. Along with Thor are the other Aesir deities, such as his mother, Frigg, the goddess of motherhood, and his brother Balder, the god of light and beauty. 

FAMILY

• Njord is the father of Freyr. He is the god of wind and water. With his magical powers in controlling the wind and water, he was associated with good weather, seafaring, fishing, coastal crop fertility, and abundance.
• Freya, on the other hand, is the twin sister of Freyr. She is the most renowned Vanir god for her enchanting beauty. She is known as the female counterpart of his twin brother Freyr and the goddess of fertility, love, and death in Norse mythology.
• Gerd is the wife of Freyr, who is from the race of giantesses, also called jotun in Norse mythology. In prose edda, Gerd is described as the “most beautiful woman of all.”
• Fjolnir is the son of Freyr and Gerd. He is known as a legendary king in Norse mythology and the progenitor of the Swedish Yngling dynasty. After his father’s death, he ruled over the Swedes and the Upsal domains established by his parents.

VENERATING FREYR

• The extensive power of Freyr made him worshipped by the Scandinavian people in several ways. One of these is the “sonarblot”, which means sonar sacrifice, where a wild boar is sacrificed to Freyr to guarantee a bountiful harvest. In this ritual, a boar is killed, and the people place their hands on the back of the sacrificial boar while swearing an oath.
• The killing of a boar during the rites of Sonarblot or sonar sacrifice indicates its connection to Freyr, who has a golden boar, also known as Gullinbursti. Furthermore, it symbolizes the continuous tradition of Swedish people of eating pigs.
• Another way of venerating Freyr with the other Norse Gods was traced to Norway in the 10th century. People there celebrate a sacrificial feast, where they kill animals, primarily pigs, and horses. The blood of these sacrificial animals was dredged across the walls and idols. Their meat is cooked and eaten by the people while drinking a sacred beer toasting to Njord, Odin, and Freyr to favor their wishes and needs.
• Worshiping Freyr through various rituals and sacrifices is done to honor him and to ask favor regarding fertility, marriage, virility, good weather, bountiful harvests, prosperity, and peace in the society which the god Freyr is known for.

Freyr Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Freyr across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Freyr. Freyr is known as the God of peace, fertility, and good weather, and he is worshiped for his association with prosperity, good harvest, weddings, and virility. 

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Freyr Facts
2. Freyr Profile
3. Power Hunt
4. Magical Artifacts
5. Tracing the Origin
6. Green Flag or Red Flag
7. Clash of Clans
8. Family DeiTIES
9. Rites and Rituals
10. Fact Tiles
11. KWL-Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Freyr?

Freyr is a Norse deity in Norse mythology. He is a god associated with fertility, prosperity, and sunlight. Freyr is the son of the sea god Njord and the twin brother of the goddess Freyja.

What are some symbols and attributes associated with Freyr?

Freyr is often depicted with a sword and a boar, which are symbols associated with him. He is also sometimes depicted riding a golden-bristled boar named Gullinbursti. Additionally, Freyr is closely associated with the harvest and is often depicted with sheaves of wheat or other grains.

What role does Freyr play in Norse mythology?

Freyr is considered one of the Vanir, a group of gods associated with fertility, prosperity, and nature. He is known as a generous and benevolent deity who brings abundance and good fortune to the world. Freyr also plays a significant role in the events leading up to Ragnarok, the end of the world in Norse mythology.

Are there any notable stories or myths about Freyr?

One of the most well-known myths involving Freyr is his loss of the magical sword called “Freyr’s Sword” or “Sword of Freyr.” In this myth, Freyr falls in love with the giantess Gerd and gives up his sword in order to win her hand in marriage. However, without his sword, Freyr becomes vulnerable and is eventually killed by the fire giant Surtr during Ragnarok.

Are there any modern-day practices or worship associated with Freyr?

While Norse mythology was largely practiced in ancient times, there has been a revival of Norse pagan traditions in recent years. Some modern practitioners of Norse paganism or Heathenry include Freyr in their worship and rituals. They may honor him during seasonal celebrations, particularly during harvest festivals or rituals associated with fertility and abundance.

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