Frigg and Freyja Origin Hypothesis - Mythological Similarities

Mythological Similarities

Frigg is the most prominent female member of the Aesir faction of the Germanic gods, and often identified as the spouse of the chief god, *Wōdanaz (Woden, Odin). Freya is the most prominent female member of the Vanir faction of the gods, is described as being adept at seid (magic), and is the wife of Ód.

In West Germanic traditions only Frigg is attested. Frigg appears a number of times in surviving Norse mythology. In Gylfaginning Frigg is described by Snorri as the preeminent goddess. She fills the role of wife, mother, and advisor to Odin. In the story she warns Odin not to doubt Vafthrúdnir, the wisest giant. Frigg quarrels with Odin in the prose introduction to Grímnismál. Frigg is sometimes accused of infidelity to Odin, specifically in Ynglinga saga, Gesta Danorum and Lokasenna, where Loki accuses her of it. Frigg does not deny the charge from Loki, and in this story Freyja intervenes, warning Loki that Frigg has powers of prophecy.

Some significant similarities between Frigg and Freyja have been noted:

• The power of prophecy is attributed to Frigg, which seems more properly related to the seid (magic or divination) of Freyja.
• Hugo Junger argues that place-names in Scandinavia seem to link cult sites for Freyja with names derived from Frigg.
• Freyja's husband Ód is often away on journeys, like Frigg's husband Odin.
• Both Frigg and Freyja are described as having traded sex for jewelry.

Frigg is often associated with weaving, combining the aspects of a love goddess and a domestic goddess. In Sweden and some parts of Germany, the asterism of Orion's Belt is known as her distaff or spindle. Fulla is named as Frija's sister in the Merseburg charms. In Norse mythology Fulla appears as one of a train of sixteen goddesses. These goddesses have been theorized as each performing a task representing an aspect of Frigg's, among them also Freyja.