In Norse mythology, Thor has a younger sister named Freya. Freya is a major goddess associated with love, beauty, fertility, gold, war, and death. She is the daughter of Njord, the god of the sea, and the twin sister of Freyr, the god of prosperity. As Thor’s sister, Freya has an interesting and complex relationship with the god of thunder.
Who is Freya?
Freya is one of the most prominent goddesses in Norse mythology. She is described as being very beautiful, with long golden hair. Freya travels in a chariot pulled by two large gray cats and she often wears a cloak of falcon feathers. Some key facts about Freya:
- Goddess of love, beauty, and fertility
- Associated with gold and material wealth
- Leader of the Valkyries – female warriors who brought fallen heroes to Valhalla
- Ruler of the afterlife realm Fólkvangr
- Practitioner of seiðr magic and taught Odin this skill
- Owner of the magical necklace Brísingamen
- Possessed a cloak of falcon feathers that allowed her to transform into a falcon
Freya was a vanir goddess, one of the original tribe of gods in Norse myth before the more well-known aesir gods like Odin came along. She was well-loved by the Norse people and had many roles and attributes in Norse daily life and religion.
Freya’s Loves and Relationships
Freya was associated with love and fertility, and had many lovers according to the myths. She was married to the god Odr, who disappeared, and she cried tears of gold while searching for him. Freya also had affairs with other gods, dwarves, and elves. Her affairs often got her into trouble but her romantic intrigues contributed to her role as a goddess of passion and desire.
Freya’s Controversial Magic
Freya practiced a form of Norse magic called seiðr, which involved foreseeing the future. This was considered a feminine form of magic, and when the god Odin wanted to learn it he was mocked for taking on the “unmanly” magic of Freya. However, Odin did learn seiðr from Freya and it became an important part of Norse myth and religion. Freya’s mastery of this magical art was one of her defining traits.
Freya and War
While best known as a goddess of love and beauty, Freya had a role associated with war as well. As the leader of the Valkyries, she brought dead heroes to Valhalla when they were slain in battle. Freya also received half of the warriors who were slain in battle – the other half went to Odin. Her palace Folkvangr was filled with her chosen warrior spirits.
Freya’s Treasures
Freya possessed several magical items that figure prominently in Norse myths:
- Brísingamen Necklace – This was Freya’s signature piece of jewelry, which she obtained by sleeping with four dwarves who crafted it. It is associated with Freya’s beauty and sexuality.
- Falcon Cloak – This cloak allowed Freya to transform into a falcon. It allowed her to fly freely between the worlds.
- Boar Hildisvíni – Her golden boar could move faster than any horse and had glowing golden bristles. Freya rode this boar when traveling between realms.
These mythical items emphasize Freya’s powers of sorcery, shapeshifting, and travel between worlds. They were magical objects befitting a powerful goddess.
Freya’s Relationship with Thor
As siblings, Thor and Freya have a close but complex relationship in Norse mythology. Some key points about how these two gods interact and relate to each other include:
- They have contrasting personalities – Thor is brash and warlike, Freya is more subtle and magical.
- Thor relies on his strength, Freya relies on her magical skills.
- Freya assists and gives advice to Thor at times, using her powers of prophecy.
- At one point Freya loans Thor her magical falcon cloak.
- They oppose and fight many of the same enemies, including giants and dark forces.
- As family, they protect each other when necessary.
While Thor is known for his physical might and protection of Asgard, Freya relies on softer powers like magic and sexuality to achieve her aims. She complements Thor in many ways as his sorceress sister. Freya is not a war goddess but still battles the forces of darkness in her own way.
Notable Myths about Freya and Thor
Several Norse myths feature interactions between Freya and her brother Thor:
Thor Dressed as Freya
In one story, Thor has to disguise himself as Freya to retrieve his stolen hammer Mjolnir from the giant Thrym. Thrym wants to marry Freya, and Thor must pretend to be his bride-to-be to steal back his hammer at the wedding feast. Freya agrees to lend Thor her clothing and accessories for the deception. When Thrym lifts the hammer to place it on Thor’s lap during the ceremony, Thor reveals his true identity and slays the giants.
Freya Cries Tears of Gold for Odr
When Freya’s husband Odr goes missing, she is heartbroken and cries tears of gold while wandering the world searching for him. Thor is sympathetic to his sister’s grief and lends support during this difficult time. Their family bond is shown through Thor’s concern for Freya’s loss.
Freya Loans Falcon Cloak to Thor
At one point when Thor needs to quickly travel between worlds on a mission against an enemy, Freya loans Thor her magical falcon cloak which enables him to transform into a falcon. Thor uses the cloak to swiftly fly between realms and complete his journey, showing how Freya assisted her brother with her special powers.
Ragnarok and the Death of Freya
In the cataclysmic Norse legend of Ragnarok, the end of the world is presaged by numerous natural disasters and battles between the gods. Freya takes up arms alongside her brother Thor to fight the forces of chaos and darkness. According to prophecy, Freya and Thor are fated to kill one another during the final battle at Ragnarok. Their family bond is ultimately shattered as the world ends around them.
Freya in Modern Culture
Freya remains an iconic goddess in modern media and fiction. Some examples of how she is portrayed include:
- Video games like God of War and Too Human feature Freya as a character
- Neil Gaiman’s novel American Gods depicts Freya as an important goddess among the Old World deities
- Freya has been referenced in music by bands like Amon Amarth and is the name of a Swedish metal band
- The Order of Freya is a Heathen women’s religious group in the United States
- Wiccan and pagan traditions sometimes equate Freya with the goddess Frigga
Freya endures as a feminist icon representing independence, sexuality, and magical power. She is one of the strongest female figures in Norse mythology.
Conclusion
In Norse myth, Freya complements her famous brother Thor as the goddess of love, magic, and feminine power. She relates to Thor as both a sibling and fellow protector of the Norse realms against destructive forces. Freya lends her aid using sorcery and prophecy rather than brute strength. Her complex bond with Thor reflects the interplay between male and female roles in Norse society. Freya remains a key part of the rich tapestry of Thor’s mythology from ancient times through the present day.