Supernatural Powers and Deities in Norse faith
As a polytheistic religion, the Norse believe in a range of deities. Nordic Gods and Goddesses were highly regarded in their faith as transcendent forces that the Norse people looked up to. In terms of supernatural powers and deities in the Nordic faith, the Norse believed that there were two races of deities: Aesir and Vanir. These races were thought to be constantly at war with one another in their lust for power (Sazerac, 2010, Norse Gods). These deities maintained two realms at the top of the Nordic world tree named ‘Yggdrasil’. The Norse not only worshipped and adhered to spirits, but also ghosts and giants. Amongst other transcendent figures, their predominant deities included: Odin, Thor, Loki, Freya and the Valkyries.
Odin was the most highly regarded and holiest of Nordic Gods. He was the God of universal wisdom and victory, which was what a lot of their principal beliefs were formed around (Mcoy, D, 2015, Odin). Odin was associated with war an prophecy, and was believed to inspire a lust for battle within warriors (Sazerac, 2010, Norse Gods). He was depicted as a middle aged man with long hair and a beard, and he had one eye because he traded the other to drink from the well of wisdom and gain infinite knowledge. The second most highly ranking deity was Thor: Odin’s son. Thor was the God of thunder, lighting and storms and he defined strength within their society (BBC, 2014 the norse myths). As the protector of Midgard (the land of mortals) he was a tall, muscular champion with great authority among the Norse.
Loki was the father of monsters and was well known for stirring up trouble which he would then rectify. He gave the fishing net to the Nordic people, showing that he was capable of both good and evil. The figure of Loki later became linked with the christian (influence on society) association with the devil (Sazerac, 2010, Norse Gods).
Freya was the Norse god of fertility and was worshipped in fields of warfare, love affairs, beauty, prophecy and the arts. As well as Freya, the Valkyries were goddesses in Norse faith and were foster daughters of Odin. They were sacred omens as supernatural women who held the spirits of dead warriors by being shield maidens.
Odin was the most highly regarded and holiest of Nordic Gods. He was the God of universal wisdom and victory, which was what a lot of their principal beliefs were formed around (Mcoy, D, 2015, Odin). Odin was associated with war an prophecy, and was believed to inspire a lust for battle within warriors (Sazerac, 2010, Norse Gods). He was depicted as a middle aged man with long hair and a beard, and he had one eye because he traded the other to drink from the well of wisdom and gain infinite knowledge. The second most highly ranking deity was Thor: Odin’s son. Thor was the God of thunder, lighting and storms and he defined strength within their society (BBC, 2014 the norse myths). As the protector of Midgard (the land of mortals) he was a tall, muscular champion with great authority among the Norse.
Loki was the father of monsters and was well known for stirring up trouble which he would then rectify. He gave the fishing net to the Nordic people, showing that he was capable of both good and evil. The figure of Loki later became linked with the christian (influence on society) association with the devil (Sazerac, 2010, Norse Gods).
Freya was the Norse god of fertility and was worshipped in fields of warfare, love affairs, beauty, prophecy and the arts. As well as Freya, the Valkyries were goddesses in Norse faith and were foster daughters of Odin. They were sacred omens as supernatural women who held the spirits of dead warriors by being shield maidens.