Some time ago, in the Folkwang Lima Seax Wica group, I wrote a piece titled “Woden and Freyja or Woden and Frigg,” where I explained why these two divine entities, Frigg and Freyja, are distinct. This article was well-supported with references. However, every now and then, the question arises—perhaps for sentimental or emotional reasons—whether they are indeed the same goddess. It’s even stranger when someone suggesting this holds a supposed title (emphasis on “supposed”). Since I don’t have such a title, I have to cite every source I mention.
So, once again, I will address this topic, but in brief.
The medieval Icelandic sagas offer a clue on this topic: Were Frigg and Freyja one and the same goddess? I’ll cite a specific saga, though unfortunately, it’s incomplete, as parts of it have merged with another—something quite common due to the fragile nature of old manuscripts, where gaps are “patched” as best as possible.
In the “Saga Droplaugarsona,” which has merged with the “Saga Fljotsdaela,” it’s described that in the temple at Ölvusvatn, Iceland, the statues of Frigg and Freyja were placed in the most prominent positions, facing the statues of Thor and Freyr. These statues were elaborately draped and decorated with gold and silver.
This fragment is the final part of the second saga mentioned, though it is incomplete (*):
“Þá gengur Helgi inn í hofið og sér að þar er ljóst svo að hvergi ber skugga á. Þar var allt altjaldað. Setið var þar á báða bekki. Þar glóaði allt í gulli og silfri. Þeir blígðu augum og buðu ekki þeim er komnir voru. Í öndvegi á hinn óæðra bekk sátu þeir í samsæti Freyr og Þór. Helgi snarar fyrir þá og mælti svo: ‘Þar sitjið þið, herjans synirnir. Munu þeim þykja þið vera sæmilegir höfðingjar sem ykkur dýrkar. Nú ef þið viljið að við bræður trúum ykkur sem aðrir þá standið þið upp og sýnið risnu af ykkur og bjóðið okkur bræðrum því að nú er vont veður úti. Nú ef þið viljið því játa þá munum við bræður trúa yður sem aðrir menn. En ef þið skjótið drambi á og viljið ekki liðsinni veita okkur þá munum við ekki tal af ykkur halda.’ Þeir skjóta drjúglæti á og þegja við. Þá snýr Helgi um þvert gólf. Þar sátu þær Frigg og Freyja. Hann mælti þessi hin sömu orð við þær sem áður. Kvaðst hann mundu veita þeim blíðu ef þær vildu veita betur honum.”
I’ve tried to translate this fragment, but I’m unsure if the brothers Helgi and Grímr Droplaugarson entered the temple to worship, seek revenge, or steal the gods’ ornaments (medieval Icelandic defies modern translators).
So, let’s take it as it is: a mention of both goddesses as separate individuals, sitting side by side. The Icelanders of the early 14th century who recorded this account, which dates back 200 or 300 years, clearly recognized the difference between the two.
For further reference, we have an even older, albeit sad, example in a type of short-stanza poetry called lausavisur. In this case, the poet is Hallfreðr vandræðaskáld Óttarsson, an Icelandic skaldic poet (965 – ca. 1007), who was forced to renounce his faith (or suffer consequences, as was common), bidding farewell to the gods in his own way.
Once again, I offer the evidence in its original language from the “Hallfreðar saga” (which is a poem), since an exact translation is impossible; we are left with only the mention of names, which is quite clear:
Stanza 12: Mér skyli Freyr ok Freyja,…….(Freyr, Freyja) fjǫrð lætk ǫðul Njarðar, líknisk grǫm við Grímni,…….(Grímnir = Odin) gramr, ok Þór enn ramma;…….(Thor) Krist vilk allrar ástar,……….(mentions Christ) erum leið sonar reiði, vald es á frægt und foldar feðr, einn ok goð kveðja.
Stanza 16: Svá hefk hermila harma, hné Baldr í gný skjalda …….(Baldr) (baugs erum svipr at sveigi) sárlinns, rekit minna, at lofhnugginn liggja létk sunnr í dyn Gunnar, ek of hefnda svá okkar, Auðgísls bana dauðan.
Stanza 10 (Reserved for the end as it’s the most revealing, and I found it translated on Wikipedia): Ǫll hefr ætt til hylli Óðins skipat ljóðum …… (Odin) (algildar man’k) aldar (iðjur várra niðja); en trauðr, því’t vel Viðris vald hugnaðisk skaldi, legg’k á frumver Friggjar …… (Frigg) fjón því’t Kristi þjónum
Translation: “All the race of men who gained Óðinn’s grace have offered poems (I remember the exquisite work of my ancestors); But sadly, since the power of Viðrir [Óðinn] pleased the poet so much, How can I feel anything but disdain for Frigg’s first husband [Óðinn], now that I serve Christ?”
In this poem, I’ve copied only a few short stanzas (there are around 29). So, I believe we now have even more references to the distinction between Freyja and Frigg, and, once again, it’s worth repeating that Odin’s (Woden’s) celestial consort is indeed Frigg.
I hope this material is helpful.
Written by Freyjoy
Updated by Rasgæl Hræfenwulf
