Sjöfn - Goddess of Norse Mythology
Sjöfn, , depicted as an imposing figure.
Sjöfn (pronounced: "SYOVN") is a goddess in Norse mythology, belonging to the Æsir lineage. She is mentioned briefly in Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda as one of the Ásynjur, the female deities of Norse mythology. According to Snorri, Sjöfn is the goddess of love, with the power to turn the minds of both men and women to love and passion. The Old Norse word "sjafni," meaning "love," is derived from her name.
The name "Sjöfn" in Old Norse runes is written as:
ᛋᛁᚢᚠᚾ
While Sjöfn is only mentioned briefly in the Prose Edda, her name appears in various kennings as a generic goddess name. It is not clear if Sjöfn was ever a major goddess, or if she was simply another name for Freyja or Frigg, two other prominent goddesses in Norse mythology.
Despite the lack of information about Sjöfn, she is considered among the protective matrons mentioned in the Prose Edda, along with several other Germanic goddesses. Her role as a goddess of love and passion also aligns with similar deities in other mythologies, such as Aphrodite in Greek mythology and Venus in Roman mythology.
Overall, while little is known about Sjöfn, her association with love and passion makes her an important figure in Norse mythology and a representation of the human experience of love and desire.
Please note that the information provided about Sjöfn and Norse mythology is complex and may be subject to interpretation and debate. The myths and stories of Norse mythology have evolved and been passed down through oral tradition and written accounts, and there may be variations in the way they are told and understood. This information should be used as a general reference and not as a definitive source on the subject.
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Other Norse Gods and Goddesses
- Baldur (Æsir) - God of Light, Beauty, and Goodness
- Bragi (Æsir) - God of Poetry and Song
- Beyla (Æsir) - Goddess of Fertility and Prosperity
- Borr (Æsir) - Father of the Norse Gods
- Byggvir (Vanir) - God of Prosperity and Peace
- Dellingr (Æsir) - God of the Dawn and Justice
- Eir (Ásynjur) - Goddess of Healing and Compassion
- Forseti (Æsir) - God of Justice and Reconciliation
- Freyr (Vanir) - God of fertility, prosperity, and peace.
- Frigg (Ásynjur) - Goddess of marriage and fertility, also known as the queen of the gods.
- Fulla (Ásynjur) - Goddess of Fertility and Abundance
- Gefjon (Ásynjur) - Goddess of fertility and plowing.
- Gilling (Æsir) - A man who was drowned by the god Loki.
- Gjöll (Æsir) - A river that separates the land of the living from the land of the dead.
- Glaumvor (Æsir) - A giantess who was the mother of the god Heimdall.
- Gná (Ásynjur) - Goddess of the messenger of the gods.
- Gullinbursti (Æsir) - A magical boar that was a gift to the god Freyr from the dwarves.
- Gullveig (Vanir) - A goddess who was burned to death by the Æsir, but was reborn as the goddess Hecate.
- Heimdall (Æsir) - God of vigilance and guardian of the Bifröst.
- Hel (Æsir) - Goddess of death and ruler of the realm of the dead.
- Hermod (Æsir) - God of speed and messenger of the gods.
- Hildisvini (Æsir) - A magical boar that was a gift to the goddess Freyja from the dwarves.
- Hlin (Ásynjur) - Goddess of consolation and protection.
- Höðr (Æsir) - God of winter and darkness
- Hönir (Æsir) - One of the three creators of the world, along with Odin and Loki.
- Honir (Æsir) - God of communication and diplomacy.
- Idun (Ásynjur) - Goddess of youth and keeper of the golden apples of immortality.
- Jörd (Ásynjur) - Goddess of earth and fertility.
- Kvasir (Vanir) - God of wisdom and knowledge, who was created from the spit of the Æsir and the Vanir.
- Lóðurr (Æsir) - Described as being involved in the creation of the first humans.
- Lofn (Ásynjur) - Goddess of forbidden love and marriage.
- Loki (Æsir) - God of mischief, deception, and fire.
- Magni (Æsir) - God of strength, who will survive Ragnarök and rule the new world.
- Modi (Æsir) - God of anger, who will survive Ragnarök and rule the new world.
- Mimir (Æsir) - God of wisdom and knowledge, who guarded the well of wisdom.
- Nanna (Ásynjur) - Goddess of love and fertility, who was the wife of Balder.
- Njörd (Vanir) - God of the sea, wind, and fertility.
- Odin (Æsir) - Chief god and ruler of the gods, who was associated with war, wisdom, poetry, and magic.
- Rán (-) - Goddess of the sea and death by drowning.
- Saga (-) - Goddess of history, poetry, and wisdom.
- Sif (Ásynjur) - Goddess of fertility and abundance, who was the wife of Thor.
- Sigyn (Ásynjur) - Goddess of fidelity and loyalty, who was the wife of Loki.
- Sjöfn (Ásynjur) - Goddess associated with love.
- Skaði (Ásynjur) - Goddess of hunting, skiing, and winter.
- Snotra (Ásynjur) - Goddess associated with wisdom.
- Sól (Ásynjur) - Goddess of the sun.
- Thor (Æsir) - God of thunder, lightning, and protection, who was associated with strength and fertility.
- Týr (Æsir) - God of war and justice.
- Ullr (Æsir) - God of skiing, archery, and the hunt.
- Váli (Æsir) - God of revenge and justice, who was born to avenge the death of his brother Balder.
- Vár (Ásynjur) - Goddess of vows and agreements.
- Vé (Æsir) - One of the three creators of the world, along with Odin and Vili.
- Vili (Æsir) - One of the three creators of the world, along with Odin and Vé.