If it weren’t for the work of the Icelandic writer, poet and politician Snorri Sturluson who, in the 13th century, wrote down the stories of the Viking gods, we would have absolutely no knowledge of this important part of the old Norse culture. Until then the stories were kept alive orally. These stories open up a wonderful, exciting and often funny world of power struggle, corruption, betrayal and wars.

The Viking gods and goddesses were powerful, yet they had many human traits that enabled the Vikings to identify themselves with. The supreme god was Odin and Thor was a very strong god, thanks mainly to his weapon, Mjölnir (Miolnir). The god Loki is by many regarded as the more interesting god. He’s actually not of the race of gods but rather the giant race. The giants were the archenemies of the Viking gods and their story ends with the final battle between the two races. This battle is called Ragnarok and signals the destruction of the world before it emerges again as a peaceful place.

The Viking gods, or Norse gods, are originally two groups of gods. One group is called Aesir and the second group is called Vanir. Vanir were considered wise and skilled in magical arts.

They were usually worshiped in connection with prosperity and the harvest from the earth. In contrast Aesir were worshiped in connection with war and victory.

In ancient times Vanir and Aesir waged war on each other. It is not certain what the outcome of the war. In Ynglingssaga, Snorri Sturluson claims that they decided on peace when both sides got bored with the fighting. But according to Voluspa, is seems as though the Aesir lost the war, at least their city wall is broken down and Vanir sweep across their lands.

Anyway they did make peace on the condition of prisoner exchange. Not that they exchanged prisoners that they had each captured, rather some of the Vanir were sent to the Aesir camp and vice versa. Aesir got Njord (Niord) the enriched along with his children, Freyr and Freyja (Freyia). Vanir got Haenir and with him Mimir, who was the wisest of all.

By arnia

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