Nordic religion is an ancestor of modern fantasy literature. Dwarfs, elves, fairies, and runes originated in Norse culture, and later resprouted in the works of famous authors like Tolkein, Rowling, and Pratchett, as well as many video games, including the popular Final Fantasy series.

While the customs and beliefs of the Norse people of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden are partially unknown to scholars and probably unfamiliar to most North Americans, their figures (including Odin, Thor, and Frigg) are not.

Norse morality is centered around nine noble virtues: courage, perseverance, self-reliance, industry, truth, honor, discipline, fidelity, and hospitality. Notice that Western and Eastern concepts like faith and humility, respectively, are not included. The Norse religion was practiced long before its people faced Christianization, and never really came into contact with Eastern religions like Hinduism, Buddhism or Daoism.

The nine noble virtues point to a general personality type, valued in both genders: toughness. While men were out raiding and traveling, their wives, sisters, mothers and daughters stayed home, rearing children, caring for livestock, and engaging in battles of their own. After all, if the women didn’t defend the homestead, who would? This toughness is reflected not only in Norse gods, but in their goddesses, of which there are many.

Frigg

In the lineup of female Norse deities, Frigg takes the lead. Her name, meaning “beloved one,” later inspired the naming of the weekday, Friday (think “Frigg’s day”). Considered the “foremost” goddess, she is the wife of Odin, the chief god, and beside him, she presides over the Universe. She is said to be able to see the future, but what she sees, she keeps secret. In the night sky, what we call “Orion’s belt” is also named “Frigg’s spinning wheel.”

Freyja

Freyja, also known as Freya, is blonde with blue eyes, and known for her beauty. She is portrayed as a goddess of love, beauty and fertility, and people often prayed to her for good seasons and safe childbirth. With Frigg, she is an principal god of Norse religion.

Fulla

Fulla’s name is etymologically related to the word “full,” and she is Frigg’s handmaid. While some used to consider her Frigg’s sister, this was later found not to be the case.

Snotra

With a name meaning “wise” and “graceful,” Snotra doesn’t appear in any original Norse text. It is suspected by some that she was made up later on, after Norse Christianization.

Gerd

Gerd is the goddess of sex and soil fertility, and is the wife of the god Freyr. The stories say she is a giant.

Gefjun

While presently considered the goddess of chastity, some scholars suggest that, like Gerd, Gefjun may have been a goddess of fertility.

Idunn

The wive of Bragi, god of poetry, Idunn is the caretaker of apples, which the gods must eat to maintain their youthful and godly status.