Norse Mythology Flashcards
Match the Titles, Powers, & Story to the Norse god/goddess
Title: Allfather, God of Wisdom, War, and Death
Powers: Knowledge, magic, poetry, and war.
He sacrificed one of his eyes at Mimir’s well to gain immense knowledge and wisdom. He also hung himself from the world tree Yggdrasil for nine days and nights to learn the secrets of the runes.
Odin
Title: Goddess of Marriage, Motherhood, and Prophecy
Powers: Foreknowledge and protection of families.
Knowing the fate of her son Baldr, she made every object on earth swear never to harm him, but she overlooked the mistletoe. Loki tricked Baldr’s blind brother, Höðr, into killing him with a spear made of mistletoe.
Frigg
Title: God of Thunder and Strength
Powers: Control over thunder, lightning, storms, and immense strength.
He often fought the giants to protect Midgard. One famous story is his journey to the land of the giants, Jotunheim, where he attempted to drink from a horn that was actually connected to the sea, lift a cat that was actually the Midgard serpent, and wrestle an old woman who was old age itself.
Thor
Title: God of Mischief and Trickery
Powers: Shape-shifting, deception, and trickery.
He is known for his many mischievous deeds, including the trickery that led to Baldr’s death. Eventually, his actions led to his punishment, where he was bound to a rock with the entrails of his own son, with a serpent dripping venom onto his face.
Loki
Title: Goddess of Love, Beauty, and Fertility
Powers: Magic (seidr), love, beauty, and fertility.
She possesses the Brisingamen necklace, which she obtained from four dwarves. She is also known for her ability to shape-shift and her skill in seidr, a form of magic she taught to Odin.
Freyja
Title: God of Fertility, Prosperity, and Kingship
Powers: Fertility of the earth, prosperity, and kingship.
He fell in love with the giantess Gerðr and gave up his magical sword to win her hand. This decision later left him vulnerable during Ragnarök, the end of the world.
Freyr
Title: God of the Sea, Winds, and Wealth
Powers: Control over the sea, wind, and wealth.
He was married to the giantess Skadi, but their marriage was troubled due to their differing preferences for living conditions. He loved the sea, while Skadi preferred the mountains.
Njord
Title: Guardian of the Bifrost Bridge
Powers: Exceptional sight and hearing.
He is the watchman of the gods, guarding the Bifrost bridge that connects Asgard to Midgard. He will blow the Gjallarhorn to signal the onset of Ragnarök, alerting the gods to the impending battle.
Heimdall
Title: God of Light, Purity, and Beauty
Powers: Light, beauty, and invulnerability to most objects.
He was the most beloved of the gods. Due to a prophecy of his death, his mother Frigg made every object swear not to harm him, except mistletoe. Loki used this to trick his blind brother, Höðr, into killing him with a mistletoe dart.
Baldr
Title: God of War and Justice
Powers: War strategy, justice, and law.
He sacrificed his hand to bind the monstrous wolf Fenrir. Knowing that Fenrir would not allow himself to be bound unless one of the gods placed their hand in his mouth as a pledge, he did so, resulting in the loss of his hand when the wolf realized he had been tricked
Tyr
Title: Goddess of Youth
Powers: Keeper of the golden apples that grant the gods eternal youth.
She was once kidnapped by the giant Thjazi, who, in the form of an eagle, took her to his home. Without her apples, the gods began to age until Loki rescued her, bringing her and the apples back to Asgard.
Idunn
Title: Goddess of the Underworld
Powers: Ruler of Helheim, where she governs over the dead.
She is the daughter of Loki and the giantess Angrboda. She presides over the underworld realm of Helheim, where those who die of old age or illness reside. She played a significant role in the fate of her brother, Baldr, who was sent to her realm after his death.
Hel
Title: Goddess of Winter and Hunting
Powers: Hunting, skiing, and winter.
She sought vengeance against the gods for the death of her father, the giant Thjazi. As recompense, she was allowed to choose a husband from among the gods. She chose Njord by mistake, thinking he was Baldr.
Skadi
Title: Goddess of Fertility and Harvest
Powers: Fertility, family, and harvest.
She is known for her long, golden hair, which Loki cut off as a prank. To atone, Loki had the dwarves create new hair for her made of gold, which grew like natural hair.
Sif
Title: God of Poetry and Music
Powers: Poetry, eloquence, and music.
He is known for his wisdom and eloquence. He is the husband of Idunn, the keeper of the apples of youth. He is often depicted welcoming fallen warriors to Valhalla with his poetry.
Bragi
