The Vikings, as part of their Norse mythology, worshipped a pantheon of gods and goddesses rather than a single, monolithic "God" in the monotheistic sense. Their supreme god was known as Odin.
Odin: The Allfather and Chief Deity
Odin was revered as the chief of the Æsir gods and held many roles, including the god of wisdom, war, death, poetry, and magic. He was often depicted as an old man with a long beard and a single eye. His missing eye is a testament to his relentless pursuit of knowledge; he famously sacrificed it to Mímir to be allowed to drink from Mímir's well, the source of all wisdom.
A Pantheon of Deities
While Odin was the supreme figure, the Vikings recognized and worshipped numerous other deities, each with their own domain and significance. These gods and goddesses were generally categorized into two main tribes: the Æsir and the Vanir.
Here are some of the other prominent figures in the Viking pantheon:
| Deity | Domain(s) |
|---|---|
| Thor | Thunder, lightning, storms, strength, protection of mankind |
| Freya | Love, beauty, fertility, war, death, gold, seiðr (magic) |
| Frey | Prosperity, good harvests, peace, pleasure |
| Loki | Trickery, mischief, shape-shifting, associated with giants |
Understanding "God" in a Viking Context
When referring to a deity, Vikings would have used terms that translate to "god" or "goddess" in a general sense, specifically referring to members of the Æsir or Vanir tribes. There was no single overarching term for a divine being that encompassed all existence, as found in Abrahamic religions. Instead, their spiritual world was rich with individual divine personalities and forces.
This understanding of their deities comes from sagas, Eddic poetry, and archaeological findings, preserved and interpreted by reputable sources.
