Frigga is the goddess of clairvoyance, family, marriage and wisdom. She is the queen of the gods, wife to Odin Allfather, and mother of great Norse gods.
Frigga responsibilities
Childbirth, fertility, hearth, marriage, motherhood, prophecy, protection of family and children, serenity, sixth sense, the ability to see into the future, strategy and war
Associated Animals with Frigga
A great horned owl
Frigga weapon/domain of power
Clairvoyance, silver, sky and full moon, her dwelling Fensalir, her spindle and her wooden box eski
The Beloved Queen of the Gods
Frigga is the first of the Aesir goddesses, second only to Odin Allfather, her royal husband. She is the goddess of second sight; able to look into the future and perceive things that other cannot see. Because of her clairvoyant skills, she is often mistaken and more often than not confused with Freyja and her seidr magic. Frigga however is a unique deity and a central figure in Norse mythology.
Frigga’s powers circle around the properties of light and seeing. Like Freyr, she can direct the light of the moon, and silver is her favorite metal. She spindle weaves clouds and one of her handmaids, goddess Fulla, carries her eski; a wooden box made of ash that holds food. The day Friday has been named after her (Frigg’s day), and it is said that Frigga is one of the few deities to survive Ragnarok.
Daughter of Fjorgyn, a mysterious entity lost in the Norse legends, Frigga stands proudly by Odin’s side as she is the only other to sit in Hlidskjalf, Odin’s high seat of power and world observation. Frigga’s name means beloved and she resides in the marshland halls of Fensalir. She and Odin have two sons; the Shining One Baldur – god of light – and the blind Hodr – god of winter.
An unprevented tragedy
Although Frigga is a powerful goddess, who knows what the future will bring, she doesn’t share it with anyone nor does she name the things that will come to pass. A wise and prudent deity, Frigga brings calm into a house, around the hearth and into the hearts of the residents. She helps mortals and gods to marry and to fortify their bond and also assists mothers in childbirth. Frigga protects children and families, and many pray to her for a strong household.
Yet, Frigga’s tale is wrought with sorrow and suffering. When Baldur, her precious son, comes to her with a foretelling of his doom, Frigga immediately sets out to ask every living and non-living thing to vow not to hurt his son. Eventually, all things pledge their oaths to the great goddess except for the harmless and puny mistletoe. Loki discovers this crucial detail and so tricks Hodr into killing his own brother with a spear he had fashioned from the mistletoe.
Unable to save her son, Frigga is distraught and subsequently falls into despair. Even after the quest of Hermod, who sought to make everything in the Nine Realms to weep for Baldur but failed due to Loki’s interference again, Frigga remains without hope. A smile however forms on her face, as she knows well enough (she has seen it alright) that after Ragnarok and the end of the world she will see and hug her dear son once more.
Mentions
In the poem Voluspa, Frigga is mentioned weeping in Fensalir for the death of her son Baldur and also foreseeing the death of her husband Odin in Ragnarok, naming it her second grief after Baldur’s death.
In Grimnismal, Frigga and Odin make a wager about the upbringing and fate of two mortal boys, sons of a king.
In Lokasenna, Frigga and Loki have a flyting; exchanging insults in verse at one another right before Freyja intervenes and starts to bicker with the god of mischief.
Frigga is mentioned in the Prose Edda, described as the wife of Odin, and she and he share the gift of prophecy.
In Gylfaginning, Frigga is referred to as the highest of the Aesir goddesses, and later on, the responsibilities of the queen of the gods are mentioned. Moreover, in this part of the Prose Edda, the account of Baldur’s death is given in full.
Frigga is also mentioned in the Ynglinga saga and in the Volsunga saga.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Frigga a goddess of a Jotunn?
A. Fjorgyn is Frigga’s father. Now, no one knows for sure what Fjorgyn is. Some sources suggest that he is the male personification of the earth while others say that it is a Jotunn with no back story. Whatever the case, Frigga is definitely an Aesir deity and the first among the goddesses of Asgard.
Q. Does Frigga survive Ragnarok?
A. It has been prophesied that Ragnarok will be a ruthless torrential force that will sweep all of the Nine Realms. Leaving only Darkness behind it. From the white light, a new world shall arise and Frigga will be in it. Has she seen it? The answer is yes, but she will not admit it.
