7 Obscure Facts about the Vanir, Gods from Norse Mythology

Who are the Vanir gods?

The Vanir gods are a subgroup within the Norse pantheon that represent wealth, fertility, peace, and the natural world. By contrast, the Aesir gods, such as Odin or Thor, are more militaristic in nature and embody concepts such as justice, victory in war, strength, etc.

The domain of the Vanir generally covers the physical aspects of nature, such as the seas (Njord), harvests and peace (Freyr), and love and fertility (Freyja), but also the unseen forces of wealth and the future. 

The Vanir are deeply associated with primal wisdom and ancient magic, with the Norse believing they are more skilled in magic and prophecy than the Aesir, with the possible exception of Odin the Allfather.

The Vanir’s association with fertility covers not just agricultural bounty but also human and animal reproduction. For this reason, the Vanir were deeply worshipped by the common Norse people, who depended on harvests and livestock for survival. 

For example, boars were commonly sacrificed to Freyr in a ritual called sonarblót (“boar sacrifice”) to ensure he would bless farmers with good harvests.

Throughout the Norse mythological texts, the Vanir are generally more peaceable and diplomatic than the Aesir. 

Whereas the Aesir gods like Odin and Thor are often depicted engaging in battles and quests, the Vanir prefer to seek or offer wisdom, engage in acts of magic, or foster the growth and well-being of the world.

However, if need be, the Vanir are fierce and capable warriors as proven by their battles against the Aesir and Loki’s allies during Ragnarock.

Like many cultures, the Norse had a concept of fate called “wyrd”. However,  the Norse version of fate was more flexible and could even be changed, even if with extraordinary difficulty.

In particular, Vanir magic called “seidr” (meaning “cord”) was said to be capable of discovering and influencing one’s fate by weaving new events into being, thus altering a person’s fate.

Freya, in particular, was said to have mastered this form of seidr magic, which she then taught to the remaining Aesir, including Odin himself.

This practice of “seidr” was integral to the Norse spiritual system, since it was believed that priests and shamans could learn and master this ability, thus granting them the power to change the fates of the common folk.

Who were the Major Vanir Gods?

The most important and frequently mentioned Vanir gods are Njord and his children, Freyr and Freyja. 

Njord

Njord is the god of the sea, winds, fishing, and wealth. He is often depicted as a deity who brings prosperity to those who work at sea—essential in the seafaring culture of the Vikings. 

Njord is known to calm both sea and fire, indicating his role as a peaceful and soothing deity.  Since the sea was an essential maritime trade route, Njord also became the Norse god of wealth and riches. 

His association with wealth is also connected to the idea of fertility and abundance, as the sea was a rich source of food and means of transportation for trade. 

In conclusion, Njord was a very important deity for the Norse, since they relied so heavily on the seas to obtain wealth, plunder, and food. 

Freyr

Freyr is perhaps the most well-known of the Vanir and is a god of fertility, agriculture, wealth, and peace. He presides over sunlight and rain, the growth of crops, and the prosperity of the land. 

Freyr is often depicted as a benevolent and generous god, who not only ensures a bountiful harvest but also oversees the societal peace and prosperity associated with good rulers.

He is sometimes seen as a divine ancestor or a model for human kings, embodying the ideal ruler who brings fertility and abundance to his people. 

Freyr’s importance is reflected in the numerous place names in Scandinavia dedicated to him, indicating widespread worship and the central place he held among the common Norse.

Freyja

Freyja, the sister of Freyr, is a complex deity with dominion over love, fertility, battle, and death. 

She is the most prominent practitioner of the magical art of seidr within the Norse pantheon, which she is said to have introduced to the Aesir. As such, she holds the keys to the unseen realms and has the power to shape destiny.

She is also the leader of the Valkyries, selecting those who have died heroically in battle to reside in her hall, Sessrúmnir, which is akin to Odin’s Valhalla. 

Freyja’s dual association with love and death symbolizes both the life-giving and life-taking aspects of the natural world, marking her as a deity of great power and reverence.

Who were the Minor Vanir Gods?

The Norse Eddas also speak of other Vanir gods, although they are much less frequently mentioned and most likely infrequently worshipped.

Kvasir

Kvasir is a god born from the peace treaty between the Aesir and Vanir. According to the myths, he was created from the spit of both groups of gods, embodying their combined wisdom. 

Although half Aesir and half Vanir, the Norse mythological texts seem to place him more in the Vanir camp, describing him as the “wisest of the Vanir”.

Kvasir traveled far and wide, teaching and spreading knowledge. His tragic end came at the hands of two dwarves, Fjalar and Galar, who killed him and brewed mead with his blood. 

This mead, Óðrerir, or the Mead of Poetry, conferred poetic inspiration and wisdom to anyone who drank it. Kvasir’s blood, thus, became a symbol of the transformative power of wisdom and the written word.

Nerthus

The Roman historian Tacitus mentions the goddess Nerthus in his work “Germania,” which details some Germanic tribes’ practices of worship. She is associated with fertility and the earth.

Some historians have speculated that Nerthus was a sort of proto-Njord, the Norse god of the sea. Over the centuries, the cult of Nerthus transformed into the cult of Njord.

Others have proposed that Nerthus was the sister of Njord, and the mother of Njord’s children, Freyr and Freyja. 

Gersemi and Hnoss

Gersemi is known primarily as the daughter of Freyja and a sister to Hnoss. Her name means “treasure” in Old Norse, suggesting an association with wealth and beauty, much like her mother. 

Hnoss, like her sister Gersemi, is the daughter of Freyja and is said to be so beautiful that her name itself became a synonym for treasure or something precious. In fact, her name means “jewel” in Old Norse.

Unfortunately, very little else is known about these two minor Vanir goddesses.

The Vanir gods might have belonged to a different people

Some historians have put forth a theory according to which the Aesir and Vanir gods were at first two distinct sets of gods, worshipped in two different religions by two distinct groups of people.

Thus, the Vanir were worshipped by an earlier agrarian society, and the Aesir by a society that came later or from another region, possibly more focused on aspects of warfare and rule.

Following migrations into Scandinavia, these two groups of people merged into one and, in the process, combined their separate pantheons and cults into a single religion.

One argument for this theory is the Aesir-Vanir war, which might be a mythologized version of actual historical conflicts between these cultures. 

After the conflict was over, the two sets of gods were combined into one belief that could be accepted by all, thus ensuring lasting peace.

One argument for this is that the Vanir gods are said to have arrived in Asgard from a distant land called Vanaheim, dominated by wide open steppes, plains, rivers, and forests. Some scholars have even proposed that Vanaheim was in fact a real location, situated somewhere around the ancient Greek colony of Tanais, at the shore of the Black Sea.

Another angle to consider is the different rituals and religious purposes of the Vanir and Aesir. 

The Vanir, associated with fertility and prosperity, might have been primary deities for the common folk, whose daily lives revolved around agriculture and the changing seasons. 

The Aesir, with their focus on law, war, and the political assembly (called “thing” in Old Norse), might have been more significant to the societal elite — the chieftains, warriors, and rulers.

Unfortunately, the exact historical roots of the Aesir-Vanir split are still a mystery because there isn’t much direct evidence. However, the intriguing idea of a dual pantheon continues to fuel both academic debate and popular imagination. 

What was Vanir Magic?

Magic, or “seidr” in Old Norse, plays a significant role in Norse mythology, and the Vanir gods in particular are said to master this art form.

Vanir magic was seen as a transformative force closely related to nature, fertility, and the prophetic abilities often used to shape and predict the future.

Seidr Magic: Seidr is often considered a form of magic that could alter the course of fate, often involving trance states, spirit journeys, and foresight. Freyja is the most skilled practitioner of seidr, and it is she who taught this art to Odin and the other Aesir.

Connection to Nature and Fertility: Vanir magic is strongly linked with the cycles of nature, the turning of the seasons, and the fertility of both the earth and living creatures. Freyja presumably used Vanir magic when riding her magical boar, Hildisvini. 

Wisdom and Insight: The Vanir gods, in particular Kvasir, represented profound wisdom and understanding. Thus, Vanir magic granted one deep understanding of the world and the ability to learn and discern the wishes and desires of the people involved.

Healing and Regeneration: Since the Vanir were deeply connected to the natural world, it was believed that their magic had healing properties. These healing abilities could heal not just people but also animals and even the land itself, turning it productive again.

Shapeshifting and Alteration of Form: Freya, the most capable practitioner of seidr, was capable of shapeshifting into a falcon through the use of a cloak made of falcon feathers. 

Prophecy and Divination: Through seidr and other mystical practices, the Vanir could divine the future or reveal hidden truths.

War Magic: During the Aesir-Vanir war, the Aesir went into battle using more traditional means of combat, involving weapons and brute force. The Vanir, on the other hand, employed their subtle Vanir magic to turn the tide in their favor and eventually force the Aesir into accepting them as their equal.

Vanir magic was not solely for divine beings; humans also practiced seidr and other forms of magic, though perhaps never reaching the same level of potency. The practice of such magic would have been an integral part of Norse spirituality. It represented a way for humans to communicate with the divine, to gain insight, and to seek the favor of the gods for a successful harvest, fertility, peace, and well-being.

Magic practitioners, particularly women known as “völvas” or “seeresses,” were highly respected and sometimes feared in Norse society due to their perceived ability to influence fate and see beyond the limitations of ordinary people. 

What was the Aesir – Vanir war?

The Aesir – Vanir war is an important event in Norse mythology since it represents the unification of two separate pantheons of gods into one.

The war began after the Aesir, gods of war and power, and the Vanir, gods of fertility and wealth, encountered each other and failed to respect each other’s rights and practices. 

One version suggests that the war started due to the Aesir’s brutal treatment of Gullveig, a traveling “völva” or seeress, who was speared and burned by the Aesir but reborn from the ashes three times, indicating her possible Vanir origins or association with them. 

This act of aggression against one of their own outraged the Vanir, leading to open conflict.

Another account suggests that the war began due to the Aesir’s mistrust of the Vanir’s powerful magic.

When Freyja, the Vanir goddess, came to the Aesir, she taught them seidr (sorcery), but they grew suspicious of her and her magic, which may have contributed to the hostilities.

The war itself is not described in great detail in the surviving sources, but it’s characterized as long and hard-fought, with neither side able to secure a definitive victory. 

The Aesir were stronger, but the Vanir were adept at magic, which made them a formidable enemy. The prolonged stalemate indicates that the two tribes of gods were fairly evenly matched, with the Aesir superior in weaponry and strength, but the Vanir evened the odds through magic and bravery.

The war concluded with a truce, as both sides grew weary of the conflict and recognized that neither was going to emerge as the clear victor. 

The peace treaty was sealed with an exchange of hostages. The Aesir gave Hoenir and Mimir as hostages to the Vanir, while the Vanir sent Njord and his children Freyr and Freyja as hostages to the Aesir. 

Later on, Mimir was beheaded when the Vanir thought they were cheated in the exchange (given Hoenir’s dependency on Mimir’s counsel), and his head was returned to the Aesir, where Odin preserved it and consulted it for its wisdom.

In some versions, it is said that Odin was banished from Asgard for a period of ten years as punishment for provoking the war. During that time, he was replaced by Ullr, the god of hunting and winter.

The end of the war was marked with a peace treaty and a ritual in which both sides spat into a vat. From their collective spittle, they created Kvasir, the wisest of all beings.

What happens to the Vanir after Ragnarok?

The fate of the Vanir during Ragnarök, the Norse Apocalypse, is not as clearly documented as that of the Aesir gods. 

Nevertheless, through the few mentions in the Norse mythological sources, it is possible to paint a picture of the ultimate fate of the Vanir gods. 

Freyr

Freyr, one of the most important Vanir gods, is said to perish during Ragnarök. He is killed by the fire giant Surtr in single combat. 

A major reason for Freyr’s defeat is often attributed to him having given away his magical sword, which fights on its own, to his servant Skirnir in exchange for Skirnir’s help in wooing the giantess Gerd.

Without this sword, Freyr is at a disadvantage when he confronts Surtr during the final battle.

Freyja

Freyja’s fate is not explicitly mentioned in the surviving sources concerning Ragnarök. Given her importance as a goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and sorcery, it is intriguing that there is no detailed account of her role or end in these apocalyptic events. 

Njord

According to the Eddas, Njord, the leader of the Vanir and hostage to the Aesir, is said to survive the events of Ragnarok and return to his ancestral home of Vanaheim.

This can be explained by the fact that Njord was given to the Aesir as a hostage in order to forge peace with the Aesir. With most of the Aesir now destroyed during Ragnarok, his mission can be considered complete.

Since Njord is the informal leader of the Vanir gods, his departure also symbolizes the disappearance of Vanir power after Ragnarok.

According to “Vafþrúðnismál” from the Poetic Edda and Snorri’s Prose Edda, the world is born anew after the destruction of Ragnarök.

The surviving gods (mostly Aesir) will meet and talk, recalling the past, including the might of the Aesir and the prophecies of the seeress. 

In this new, post-Ragnarok world, the surviving Aesir gods, such as Baldur, Modi and Magni set out to rebuild this new world.

There is no mention of the Vanir in this post-apocalyptic gathering, which could imply that their roles and influence might not be as significant in the world that rises after the events of Ragnarök.

---

Resources:

• The Mythology of All Races – Eddic by John Arnott MacCulloch, Louis Herbert Gray
• The Norsemen Myths and Legends by Guerber Helene Adeline
• Asgard and the Norse heroes by Katharine Boult
• Old Norse stories by Sarah Powers Bradish
• Teutonic Mythology by Viktor Rydberg & Anders Rasmus Bjorn
• Teutonic Mythology by Jacob Grimm