Freyr
"The third chief divinity among the people of the North, about whose worship we have definite information, is Frey, who, however, cannot with certainty he pointed out as a general…
From: Unknown To: 1913 C.E.
Location: Scandinavia
Note: This article has been excerpted from a larger work in the public domain and shared here due to its historical value. It may contain outdated ideas and language that do not reflect TOTA’s opinions and beliefs.
“Frey,” from A Handbook of Norse Mythology by Karl Mortensen, 1913.
Worship of Frey.
The third chief divinity among the people of the North, about whose worship we have definite information, is Frey, who, however, cannot with certainty he pointed out as a general Germanic divinity and whose nature and origin therefore are difficult to determine. The name signifies The Ruling One. The corresponding feminine form is Freyja, 'The Mistress,' whose name heretofore was preserved in Danish in the word Husfro, which later through German influence became Husfru and after that was changed to Hustru, 'wife.'
The general mythological details about Frey have been given above, where too his significance as the supposed ancestor of the Swedish race of kings is indicated. The Ynglings in Sweden descend, according to an old Scaldic lay, from Yngvi-Frey. Through this name we can perhaps trace a connection with Germany, since the Latin historian Tacitus in his Germania names three chief Germanic races, of which one was the Ingvaeones.
In any case Frey is originally a variation of the god of light and heaven. He himself is called The Shining One, God of the World, and Chief of the Gods. He lives in Alfheim; his boar is called Gullinbursti, 'golden bristles,' his attendant Skirnir, 'Maker of Brightness,' and he is in possession of treasures which only the most prominent god can own.
According to the Volva's Prophecy he contends in Ragnarok with Surt. There he is called Beli's Blond Destroyer. Beli is brother of the giantess Gerth and one of the finest of the Eddic poems, Skirnismal, 'Skirnir's Journey,' deals with Frey's love for Gerth.
Mortensen, Karl. A Handbook of Norse Mythology. Thomas Y. Crowell, 1913.
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