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Njord is the Norse god of the sea, wind, fishing and wealth, and the father of Freyr and Freyja. Sailors called on him for calm seas. He married the giantess Skadi, but neither could bear the other's home.
Who is Njord in Norse mythology?
Njord is the Vanir god of the sea, seafaring, wind, fishing and wealth. He dwells at Noatun, the 'ship-enclosure' by the shore, and sailors and fishermen call on him for calm seas and good catches. He is the father of Freyr and Freyja and came to the Aesir as a hostage sealing the peace between the god-families.
He is called Giver of Wealth because the Prose Edda says he is so rich that he can give land and goods to anyone who prays to him. People asked him for luck at sea and in fishing.
What is Njord the god of?
- Domains — the sea, wind, seafaring, wealth
- World — born in Vanaheim, dwells in Asgard
- Animal — seagull, seal
- Offerings — beer, wine, salt, fish, sea water; a ship token, a shell, a fish hook
- Herbs — kelp, sea holly · Wood — pine · Metal — silver
Kin — Consort: Skadi · Children: Freyr and Freyja
Njord and Skadi
A well-known myth tells of his ill-matched marriage to the giantess Skadi, who chose him for a husband by his handsome feet, thinking them Baldr's. She loved her snowy mountains and he his sunlit coast, and neither could bear the other's home for long, so they parted — a gentle story of two natures that would not mix.
His wife was Skadi, and his children are Freyr and Freyja.
Questions
Who are Njord's children?
Freyr and Freyja.
Where does Njord live?
At Noatun, the "ship-enclosure" by the shore.
Why did Njord and Skadi part?
She loved her snowy mountains and he his sunlit coast, and neither could live in the other's home.