The Freya rune, also known as the Fehu rune, is a symbol in Norse mythology that is associated with the goddess Freya. It is the first rune in the Elder Futhark, the runic alphabet used by the ancient Germanic peoples. The Freya rune is shaped like an arrow pointing upward, with a vertical line and two diagonal lines branching out from it. In Norse mythology, Freya is a powerful goddess associated with love, beauty, and fertility. She is also a warrior goddess and is often depicted as riding a chariot pulled by two large cats. Freya is known for her wisdom and magic, and she possesses the ability to shape-shift into a falcon.
NORSE GODS: FREYA
Freya is attested to in the Poetic and Prose Eddas, in Hemskingla, various Icelandic Sagas, in Sörla þáttr, skaldic poems, and throughout folklore. Her name means “Lady” and Friday is named variously for her, Frigg and Freyr. She is perhaps the most famous Norse goddess, is one of the tribe of Vanir, and is most often associated with love, sex, beauty, and gold (prosperity).
She is also associated with witchcraft (called seiðr) and battle, and is a goddess of both life and death. Freya famously teaches Óðin seiðr, which seems to be a bit of a scandal. She splits the spoils of battle with him, and Freya’s pick of the fallen are said to go to Fólkvangr, her realm in Ásgard where her hall Sessrúmnir is located. She is often considered leader of the Valkyrjur, the goddess figures who choose the heroic warriors from battlefields.
Her brother is Freyr, and her father is Njörðr by his unnamed sister (generally considered to be Nerthus). Her husband is recorded as Óðr (thought be a nickname of Óðin, but this is contested) with whom she has two daughters, Hnoss and Gersemi.
She drives a chariot pulled by a team of cats. Most seem to agree they were lynxes or skogkatts (a breed of felines the size of lynxes) native to Northern Europe. In Freya’s honour, kittens (felis domesticus) were commonly given to brides as wedding gifts in the Viking era.
Many consider Freya and Frigg to be one and the same, as they have striking similarities, and they seem to have emerged as a single goddess in earlier history. In the later Eddas they are depicted as separate, interacting characters.
Like Frigg, Freya owns a magical mantle of falcon feathers. Freya uses this to fly over Miðgarðr looking for her husband Óðr, who has left her to go wandering. Freya is forever searching for him, and weeps golden tears, which appear on earth as the precious stone amber, or as veins of gold.
Freya is much sought-after by the Jötnar, and several tales tell of desperate barters to win Freya for a bride. When Thor’s hammer goes missing, it is the giant Þrymr who has taken it, and demands Freya in ransom. In another story, Freya is also the price (along with the Sun and Moon) for the construction of the protective wall around Ásgard. In both cases, the jötnar are tricked out of the deal, and Freya’s honour is preserved.
Marriage had different rules in proto-heathen times, and her (and other gods’) marriages appear to modern eyes as a crazy off-the-rails train. She travels with a constant companion boar, Hildisvíni, who is her human lover Óttar in disguise. As payment for Brísingamen, her wondrous golden necklace, she slept with several Dwarfs – this necklace is said to appear as the Northern Lights over Miðgarðr. In Lokasenna she is accused of sleeping with her brother, Freyr, by Loki in front of the other gods at a party.
Long after Christianisation, Freya continued to be honoured and named by rural Scandinavians in folklore and folk magic, well into the 19th century. As attested in several sources, due to Freya’s fame, women of rank could become known by her name Frúvor (“lady”) and a woman who was the mistress of her property was often referred to as Freya and Húsfreyja (“lady of the house”).
Thoughts on Freya
Freya is attested to in the myths as benevolent and approachable: she readily answers the prayers of her worshipers, particularly in all matters of the heart and fertility. She is famous in the lore for appreciating romantic poetry and song.
A proud sexual appetite is something many consider one of her attributes. Loki attempts to insult her for having slept with gods and elves, however, Freya appears to be neither ashamed nor embarrassed, though the other gods are aghast at his claims.
Freya has commonalities with Venus-Aphrodite, Greco-Roman goddess of love, sex, beauty, and gold. Like Venus-Aphrodite, she is a lover of war: while Venus takes Mars as her paramour, Freya takes half of all warriors who die as her companions. Like Venus, she bears a magical garment which enhances her already epic beauty.
Although some debate as to Freya’s status as a love goddess, it is important to note that pagan culture did not have our modern puritanical, sex-shaming hang ups, and often had a more positive approach to sex and sexuality, and did not see this as the opposite of divinity. No Madonna-Whore complex here!
Unlike Frigg, Freya was not easily reconciled with Christianity. Much of Frigg’s character was absorbed by the Virgin Mary, while Freya was demonized, and her figure was converted to the folkloric character of the witch and her cat. It is theorized by some that it may have been the Christian influence on the lore that separated Freya and Frigg into two separate goddesses to make it easier to deal with them.
We personally think that the fuss about their needing to be the same goddess is a bit silly. After all, the male deities, most of whom share striking similarities, do not receive this same treatment. There is no debate as to whether or not Thor and Freyr are the same god simply because they have too much in common. Either way, modern pagans see them as distinct archetypes, if not totally separate they are at least sisterly entities.
Suggested Signs & Symbols
Gold, amber, riches and abundance. Sun showers. Pigs, cats, honey, and feminine eroticism. Seiðr, witchcraft, and the motif of the Witch and her cat. Falcons. The Northern Lights and rainbow (the Brísingamen). The rune Fé.
Associated Names
Freija, Frejya, Freyia, Fröja, Frøya, Frøjya, Freia, Freja, Frua, Freiya, Vanadis, Horn, Mardoll, Syr, Valfreyja, Gefn.
Explore The Many Meanings of the Freya Symbol
In Norse mythology, the Freya symbol holds an important place in the hearts of many. Freya, or Freyja, is a multifaceted goddess who embodies beauty, love, fertility, and warfare. With such an eclectic mix of domains, it’s no wonder that the symbol of Freya has evolved into a rich tapestry of meanings that can be explored and appreciated by devotees of this enigmatic goddess. This article delves into the Freya goddess symbol, the Freya rune symbol, and more, revealing the symbolism and meanings behind each representation. Whether you’re a mythology enthusiast or someone seeking to understand the various Freya symbols in greater depth, this article will prove to be an enlightening journey.
Freya is known for her wisdom and magic, and she possesses the ability to shape-shift into a falcon. The Freya rune represents wealth, abundance, and success. It is often associated with material well-being, prosperity, and good fortune.
Freya Goddess Facts and Norse Mythology
- Vanir and Æsir Affiliations: Freya is a unique goddess in the Norse pantheon as she has affiliations with both the Vanir and Æsir tribes of gods. The Vanir gods are primarily associated with fertility and prosperity, while the Æsir are known for their roles in war and governance. Freya’s dual nature, encompassing love and beauty as well as her warrior aspect, allows her to bridge the gap between these two divine families.
- Leader of the Valkyries: Freya is often seen as the leader of the Valkyries, fierce female warriors who collect the souls of fallen heroes from the battlefield and guide them to Valhalla, the hall of the slain. In her role as a warrior goddess, she is closely linked to death and the afterlife.
- Twin Brother: Freya has a twin brother named Freyr, who is also a significant deity in Norse mythology. Freyr is primarily associated with fertility, harvests, and prosperity, emphasizing the strong bond between the siblings as deities of fertility and abundance.
- Shape-Shifter: Freya possesses the ability to shape-shift, and she often uses a falcon-feather cloak to transform herself into a falcon. This ability allows her to fly between realms and fulfill her various duties as a goddess of love and war.
- Magic and Witchcraft: Freya is also known for her skills in magic and witchcraft, particularly the practice of seiðr, a form of Norse sorcery. She is said to have taught this magical art to Odin himself, highlighting her immense knowledge and power in this realm.
- Tears of Gold: In Norse mythology, Freya is known to weep tears of gold when she is separated from her husband, Óðr, who frequently travels and leaves her behind. This association with tears of gold is symbolic of her deep connection to love, longing, and desire.
- The Goddess of the Northern Lights: In some interpretations of Norse mythology, Freya is associated with the breathtaking Northern Lights phenomenon. The dancing lights in the night sky are believed to result from the reflection of her magical and enchanting necklace, Brísingamen.
Freya is an extraordinary figure in Norse mythology, captivating the imagination of countless individuals throughout history with her complex and powerful nature. Her unique position as a goddess of both love and war, her ties to the Vanir and Æsir tribes of gods, and her intriguing associations with magic and shape-shifting make her an enduring symbol of beauty, strength, and divine power.
The rune is believed to symbolize the power of the goddess Freya, who is associated with abundance and prosperity. The Freya rune is commonly used in rune divination, a form of fortune-telling or spiritual guidance. When drawn or cast, the rune is interpreted to indicate that wealth and success will come or that a person will be blessed with good fortune. It can also symbolize the need to focus on one's goals and desires in order to achieve success. In addition to its associations with wealth and abundance, the Freya rune is also associated with the concept of "luck." It is believed to bring luck and good fortune to those who wear or carry it. Overall, the Freya rune is a powerful symbol in Norse mythology and is associated with the goddess Freya. It represents wealth, abundance, and success, and is believed to bring luck and good fortune. Whether used in spiritual practices or as a personal symbol, the Freya rune holds deep meaning and significance in Norse mythology and the realm of divination..
Reviews for "The Freya rune and its connection to fertility and abundance"
1. Patrick - 2/5 stars
I was really excited to try "Freya rune" after reading some positive reviews, but I was quite disappointed. The game had a promising concept, but the execution felt lacking. The graphics were mediocre and the controls were clunky, making it difficult to fully enjoy the gameplay. Additionally, the game lacked depth and variety, with repetitive levels and limited customization options. Overall, "Freya rune" just didn't live up to the hype for me.
2. Emily - 2/5 stars
"Freya rune" didn't impress me at all. The gameplay felt repetitive and uninspiring, with little challenge and limited strategic options. The visuals were also a letdown, with bland and uninspired graphics that didn't engage me. Furthermore, I found the in-app purchases to be quite expensive, which made it feel like a money grab. Overall, "Freya rune" just failed to capture my attention and I quickly lost interest in it.
3. Michael - 1/5 stars
I have to say, "Freya rune" was a huge disappointment for me. The game lacked any sense of progression or excitement, with repetitive levels that felt like a chore to play. Additionally, the controls were awkward and unresponsive, making it frustrating to try and navigate through the game. The graphics were also quite outdated, and I found myself bored with the overall experience. I was really hoping for a better gaming experience with "Freya rune," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me.
4. Sarah - 2/5 stars
I didn't have a great experience with "Freya rune." While the initial concept seemed interesting, the execution was lacking in many areas. The graphics were underwhelming and the gameplay felt slow and unengaging. I also found the in-app purchases to be quite expensive for what was being offered in return. Overall, I wouldn't recommend "Freya rune" as there are much better games available in the same genre.