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skaldic

Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages

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Note to Þul Ásynja 3III

[5] Gefn: This name for Freyja is usually derived from the strong verb gefa ‘give’, and thus implies that the goddess is the giver of riches, fertility and wellbeing (see ARG II, 293, 329). This must also be the meaning of Gefjun (see Note to st. 1/5 above), but she appears in myth as a separate goddess. Ström (1967, 189) identifies Gefjun with Freyja, however, and considers her a hypostasis of the latter. The name Gefn is often found in kennings for ‘valkyrie’, ‘woman’ and ‘giantess’.

References

  1. Bibliography
  2. ARG = Vries, Jan de. 1956-7. Altgermanische Religionsgeschichte. 2 vols. 2nd edn. Berlin: de Gruyter.
  3. Ström, Folke. 1967. Nordisk hedendom: Tro och sed i förkristen tid. 2nd edn. Gothenburg: Akademiförlaget.

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