Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A major goddess in Norse mythology: Freya (also spelled Freyja) is a principal deity associated with love, beauty, fertility, sex, war, gold, and seiðr (a form of magic or sorcery). She is a member of the Vanir, a group of gods, and is the daughter of the sea god Njörðr. She is often considered the most beautiful of the goddesses.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • In the myths, Freya weeps tears of red gold for her missing husband.
  • The necklace Brísingamen is famously owned by the goddess Freya.
  • Freya rides a chariot pulled by two cats.

Advanced Usage

• Cultural Reference: Freya is a central figure in Old Norse literature, appearing in the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda. Her name is the source for the Friday ("Freya's day").
• Historical Context: As a Vanir goddess, Freya represents a different family of gods than the more commonly known Æsir, like Odin and Thor. Her inclusion among the Æsir in some stories highlights the merging of the two pantheons.

Variants and Related Words

• Freyja: The Old Norse spelling.
• Freya: A common Anglicized spelling.
• Vanir (n): The group of gods to which Freya belongs, associated with fertility, wisdom, and the ability to see the future.
• Brísingamen (n): The magnificent necklace of Freya.

Synonyms

• Goddess of love: (A descriptive synonym highlighting one of her domains).
• Vanadis: A poetic name for Freya, meaning "Lady of the Vanir".

Related Phrases

• "Freya's tears": A poetic kenning (metaphorical phrase) for gold.
• "To choose like Freya": An allusion to her role in selecting half of those slain in battle to dwell in her hall, Fólkvangr.

Noun

1. (Norse mythology) goddess of love and fecundity; daughter of Njorth and sister of Frey