View source for Gerðr

{{Short description|Norse deity}}
{{Redirect-distinguish|Gerð|Gerd (disambiguation){{!}}Gerd|Gerth}}
[[File:Skirnir's message to Gerd.jpg|thumb|''Skirnir's Message to Gerd'' (1908) by [[W. G. Collingwood]].]]

In [[Norse mythology]], '''Gerðr''' ([[Old Norse]]: {{IPA|non|ˈɡerðz̠|}}; "fenced-in"<ref name=ORCHARD54>Orchard (1997:54).</ref>) is a [[jötunn]], [[Æsir|goddess]], and the wife of the god [[Freyr]]. Gerðr is attested in the ''[[Poetic Edda]]'', compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources; the ''[[Prose Edda]]'' and ''[[Heimskringla]]'', written in the 13th century by [[Snorri Sturluson]]; and in the poetry of [[skald]]s. ''Gerðr'' is sometimes modernly anglicized as '''Gerd''' or '''Gerth'''.

In both the ''Poetic Edda'' and the ''Prose Edda'', Freyr sees Gerðr from a distance, becomes deeply lovesick at the sight of her shimmering beauty, and has his servant [[Skírnir]] go to [[Jötunheimr]] (where Gerðr and her father [[Gymir (father of Gerðr)|Gymir]] reside) to gain her love. In the ''Poetic Edda'' Gerðr initially refuses, yet after a series of threats by Skírnir she is forced to yield. In the ''Prose Edda'', no mention of threats is made. In both sources, Gerðr agrees to meet Freyr at a fixed time at the location of [[Barri]] and, after Skírnir returns with Gerðr's response, Freyr laments that the meeting could not occur sooner. In both the ''Poetic Edda'' and the ''Prose Edda'', Gerðr is described as the daughter of Gymir and the jötunn [[Aurboða]].

In ''[[Heimskringla]]'', Gerðr is recorded as the wife of Freyr, [[euhemerized]] as having been a beloved  [[Mythical kings of Sweden|king of Sweden]]. In the same source, the couple are the founders of the [[Yngling]] dynasty and produced a son, [[Fjölnir]], who rose to kinghood after Freyr's passing and continued their line. Gerðr is commonly theorized to be a goddess [[Chthonic|associated with the earth]]. Gerðr inspired works of art and literature.

==Attestations==

[[File:Skyrnir and Gerda by Harry George Theaker 1920.jpg|thumb|Skyrnir and Gerda - Illustration by Harry George Theaker for Children's Stories from the Northern Legends by M. Dorothy Belgrave and Hilda Hart, 1920]]

Gerðr is attested in two poems in the ''Poetic Edda'', in two books of the ''Prose Edda'', and in two books in ''Heimskringla''.

===''Poetic Edda''===
In the ''Poetic Edda'' poem ''[[Skírnismál]]'', the god Freyr sat on the high seat [[Hlidskjalf]] and looked into all worlds. Freyr saw a beautiful girl walking from the hall of her father to a storehouse. Freyr became heartsick for the girl. Freyr has a page named [[Skírnir]]. Freyr's father [[Njörðr]] and, in verse, the goddess [[Skaði]] tells Skírnir to find out what troubles Freyr. An exchange occurs between Freyr and Skírnir in verse, where Freyr tells Skírnir that he has seen a wondrous girl with shining arms at the home of (her father) [[Gymir (father of Gerðr)|Gymir]], yet that the gods and elves do not wish for the two to be together:
<blockquote>
{|
|
:<small>[[Benjamin Thorpe]] translation:</small>
:In Gýmir's courts I saw walking
:a maid for whom I long.
:Her arms gave forth light wherewith shone
:all air and water.

:Is more desirable to me that maid
:than to any youth in early days;
:yet will no one, [[Æsir]] or Alfar,
:that we together live.<ref name=THORPE80>Thorpe (1866:80).</ref>
|
:<small>[[Henry Adams Bellows (businessman)|Henry Adams Bellows]] translation:</small>
:"From Gymir's house I behold forth
:A maiden dear to me;
:Her arms glittered, and from their gleam
:Shone all the sea and sky."

:"To me more dear than in days of old
:Was ever maiden to man;
:But no one of gods or elves will grant
:That we be together should be."<ref name=BELLOWS110>Bellows (1923:110).</ref>
|
|}
</blockquote>
Skírnir requests that Freyr give him a horse and Freyr's sword; a sword which fights [[jötunn|jötnar]] by itself. Under the cover of darkness, Skírnir rides the horse over nations and dew-covered mountains until he reaches [[Jötunheimr]], the home of the jötnar, and proceeds to Gymir's courts. Ferocious dogs are tied before the wooden fence that surrounds Gerðr's hall. Skírnir rides out to a herdsman (unnamed) sitting on a [[burial mound|mound]], greets him, and asks the herdsman how he may speak to the maiden beyond Gymir's dogs. An exchange occurs between the herdsman and Skírnir, during which the herdsman tells Skírnir that he will never speak to the girl.<ref name=LARRINGTON62-63>Larrington (1999:62—63).</ref>

Hearing a terrible noise in her dwellings, Gerðr asks where it is coming from, noting that the earth trembles and that all of Gymir's courts shake. A serving maid (unnamed) notes that outside a man has dismounted his horse and has let it graze. Gerðr tells the serving maid to invite the man to come into their hall and to partake of some of their "famous [[mead]]," yet Gerðr expresses fear that the man outside may be her "brother's slayer".<ref name=LARRINGTON64>Larrington (1999:64).</ref>

[[File:Skírnir and Gerðr I by Frølich.jpg|thumb|Gerðr refuses Skírnir's offer of eleven golden apples and the ring gift as illustrated (1895) by [[Lorenz Frølich]].]]
Gerðr asks the stranger if he is of the elves, [[Æsir]], or the [[Vanir]], and why he comes alone "over the wild fire" to seek their company. Skírnir responds that he is of none of these groups, yet that he has indeed sought her out. Skírnir offers Gerðr 11 golden apples (or [[Iðunn|apples of eternal life]], in a common emendation) to gain her favor. Gerðr rejects the apples—no matter who offers them—and adds that neither will she and Freyr be together as long as they live. Skírnir offers Gerðr a ring, here unnamed (Draupnir), that [[Draupnir|produces eight more gold rings every ninth night]] and "was burned with [[Odin]]'s young son". Gerðr responds that she is not interested in the ring, for she shares her father's property, and Gymir has no lack of gold.<ref name=LARRINGTON64AND271>Larrington (1999:64). Regarding alternate translation of "eleven", see Larrington (1999:271).</ref>

====Threats====
[[File:Skirner og Gerd (1907) by L. Frølich.jpg|thumb|left|Skírnir has turned to threats, describing Gerðr's fate at her refusal, as illustrated (1895) by Lorenz Frølich.]]
[[File:Skírnir and Gerðr III by Frølich.jpg|thumb|Skírnir continues his threats as illustrated (1895) by Lorenz Frølich.]]
Skírnir turns to threats; he points out to Gerðr that he holds a sword in his hand and he threatens to cut her head from her neck unless she agrees. Gerðr refuses; she says that she will not endure the coercion of any man, and says that if Gymir encounters Skírnir then a battle can be expected. Skírnir again reminds Gerðr of his blade and predicts that Gerðr's jötunn father will meet his doom with it. Skírnir warns Gerðr that he will strike her with his [[Gambanteinn]], a wand, that it will tame her to his desires, and says that she will never again be seen by "the sons of men". From early morning, Gerðr will sit on [[Hræsvelgr|an eagle's mound]], looking outward to the world, facing [[Hel (realm)|Hel]], and that "food shall be more hateful to you than to every man is the shining serpent among men".<ref name=LARRINGTON65>Larrington (1999:65).</ref>

Skírnir declares that when Gerðr comes out she will be a spectacle; [[Hrímgrímnir]] will "glare" at her, "everything" will stare at her, she will become more famous than the [[Heimdall|watchman of the gods]], and that she will "gape through the bars". Gerðr will experience "madness and howling, tearing affliction and unbearable desire" and that, in grief, tears will flow from her. Skírnir tells Gerðr to sit down, for her fate will be even worse yet. She will be harassed by fiends all her weary days. From the court of jötnar to the halls of the [[hrimthurs]], Gerðr shall everyday crawl without choice, nor hope of choice. Gerðr will weep rather than feel joy, suffering tearfully. She will live the rest of her life in misery with a three-headed [[Jötunn|thurs]] or otherwise be without a man altogether. Skírnir commands for Gerðr's mind to be seized, that she may waste away with pining, and that she be as the [[thistle]] at the end of the harvest; crushed.<ref name=LARRINGTON65-66>Larrington (1999:65—66).</ref>

Skírnir says that he has been to a wood to get a "potent branch", which he found. He declares that the gods [[Odin]] and [[Thor]] are angry with Gerðr, and that Freyr will hate her; she has "brought down the potent wrath of the gods". Skírnir declares to the hrimthursar, thursar, the sons of [[Suttungr]], and the "troops of the [[Æsir]]" that he has denied both pleasure and benefit from men to Gerðr. Skírnir details that the thurs's name who will own her below the gates of [[Nágrind]] is [[Hrímgrímnir]] and that there, at the [[Yggdrasil|roots of the world]], the finest thing Gerðr will be given to drink is the urine of goats. He carves "thurs" (the [[runic alphabet|runic character]] *[[Thurisaz (rune)|thurisaz]]) on Gerðr and three runes (unnamed) symbolizing lewdness, frenzy, and unbearable desire, and comments that he can rub them off just as he has carved them—if he wishes.<ref name=LARRINGTON66-67>Larrington (1999:66—67).</ref>

Gerðr responds with a welcome to Skírnir and tells him to take a crystal cup containing ancient [[mead]], noting that she thought she would never love one of the [[Vanir]]. Skírnir asks her when she will meet with Freyr. Gerðr says that they shall meet at a tranquil location called [[Barri]], and that after nine nights she will there grant Freyr her love:
<blockquote>
{|
|
:<small>Benjamin Thorpe translation:</small>
:Barri is the grove named, which we both know,
:the grove of tranquil paths.
:Nine nights hence, there to Niörd's son
:Gerd will grant delight.<ref name=THORPE84>Thorpe (1866:84).</ref>
|
:<small>Henry Adams Bellows translation:</small>
:Barri there is, which we both know well,.
:A forest fair and still;
:And nine nights hence to the son of Njorth
:Will Gerth grant delight.<ref name=BELLOWS119>Bellows (1923:119).</ref>
|
|}
</blockquote>
Skírnir rides home. Standing outside, Freyr immediately greets Skírnir and asks for news. Skírnir tells him that Gerðr says she will meet with him at Barri. Freyr, impatient, comments that one night is long, as is two nights, and questions how he will bear three, noting that frequently a month seemed shorter than half a night before being with Gerðr.<ref name=LARRINGTON68>Larrington (1999:68).</ref>

A stanza in the poem ''[[Lokasenna]]'' refers to Gerðr. In the poem, [[Loki]] accuses the god Freyr of having purchased Gymir's daughter (Gerðr) with gold and comments that, in the process, Freyr gave away his sword. Referring to Freyr as a "wretch", Loki then posits how Freyr intends to fight when the [[Sons of Muspell]] ride over the wood [[Myrkviðr]]  (an event during [[Ragnarök]]). Freyr's servant, [[Byggvir]], interjects and the poem continues.<ref name=LARRINGTON91-92>Larrington (1999:91—92).</ref>

In the poem ''[[Hyndluljóð]]'', [[Óttar (mythology)|Óttar]]'s ancestry is recounted and information is provided about the gods. One stanza that actually belongs to ''[[Völuspá hin skamma]]'' relates that Freyr and Gerðr were married, that Gerðr is the daughter of the jötunn Gymir, that Gerðr's mother is [[Aurboða]], and that they are related to [[Þjazi]] (the nature of the kinship is not specified)—father of the goddess and jötunn [[Skaði]].<ref name=LARRINGTON257>Larrington (1999:257).</ref>

===''Prose Edda''===
[[File:Skirnir beschwört Gerda ihm zu folgen by Karl Ehrenberg.jpg|thumb|''Skírnir Persuades Gerðr to Follow Him'' (1882) by [[Karl Ehrenberg]].]] 
In chapter 37 of the ''[[Prose Edda]]'' book ''[[Gylfaginning]]'', Gerðr is introduced by the enthroned figure of [[High, Just-As-High, and Third|High]] as the daughter of Gymir and the mountain jötunn Aurboða, and is described as "the most beautiful of all women". High reports that Freyr went into [[Hlidskjalf]] and looked over all worlds. When Freyr looked to the north he saw a distant homestead with a large and magnificent building. A woman went to the building, and when she lifted her arms and opened the door to the building "light was shed from her arms over both sky and sea, and [[Norse cosmology|all worlds]] were made bright by her". In punishment for "his great presumption" in having sat in the holy seat, Freyr went away filled with grief.<ref name=FAULKES31>Faulkes (1995:31).</ref>

Freyr arrives home and neither sleeps nor drinks, remaining in silence. No one dares speak to him. The god [[Njörðr]] sends Freyr's servant [[Skírnir]] to speak to Freyr. Freyr tells Skírnir that he saw a beautiful woman, so beautiful that he was filled with grief and that he would soon die if he could not have her. Freyr tells Skírnir that he must go gain her hand on his behalf—whether the woman's father agrees or not—and he will be rewarded. Skírnir replies that he accepts the mission but only in exchange for Freyr's sword, which can fight on its own. Freyr gives him the sword and Skírnir sets off. Skírnir asks for the woman's hand for Freyr and receives her promise. Nine nights later she is to meet with Freyr at a location called [[Barey]]. Skírnir delivers the news to Freyr and Freyr responds with the final stanza from the ''Poetic Edda'' poem ''Skírnismál'', lamenting that he must wait.<ref name=FAULKES31-32>Faulkes (1995:31—-32).</ref>

At the beginning of the ''Prose Edda'' book ''[[Skáldskaparmál]]'', eight goddesses are listed as attending a feast held by [[Ægir]] on the island of [[Hlesey]] (now [[Læsø]], [[Denmark]]), including Gerðr.<ref name=FAULKES31>Faulkes (1995:31).</ref> In chapter 19, different ways of referring to the goddess [[Frigg]] are provided. One of these names is "rival of Gerðr";<ref name=FAULKES86>Faulkes (1995:86).</ref> however, this is probably a scribal error (see "Theories" section below). In chapter 57, various goddesses are listed, including Gerðr (between [[Snotra]] and [[Gefjon]]).<ref name=FAULKES157>Faulkes (1995:157).</ref>

===''Heimskringla''===
In chapter 12 of ''[[Ynglinga saga]]'' (as collected in ''[[Heimskringla]]''), a [[euhemerized]] prose account relates that Freyr was a much loved king in what is now [[Sweden]]. Freyr's wife was Gerðr and their son was [[Fjölnir]]. Gerðr's fate is not provided, but after Freyr's death their son goes on to become king and their family line, the [[Yngling]]s, continues.<ref name=HOLLANDER14>Hollander (2007:14).</ref> In a verse stanza found in chapter 16 of ''[[Haralds saga Gráfeldar]]'', Gerðr is mentioned in a kenning for "woman" ("Gerðr-of-gold-rings").<ref name=HOLLANDER143>Hollander (2007:143).</ref>

==Archaeological record==
[[File:Goldgubb.jpg|thumb|Two figures embrace on a small piece of gold foil dating from the Migration Period to the early the Viking Age.]]
Small pieces of gold foil featuring engravings dating from the [[Migration Period]] into the early [[Viking Age]] (known as ''[[gullgubber]]'') have been discovered in various locations in [[Scandinavia]], almost 2,500 at one location. The foil pieces have been found largely at sites of buildings, only rarely in graves. The figures are sometimes single, occasionally an animal, sometimes a man and a woman with a leafy bough between them, facing or embracing one another. The human figures are almost always clothed and are sometimes depicted with their knees bent. Scholar [[Hilda Ellis Davidson]] says that it has been suggested that the figures are partaking in a dance, and that they may have been connected with weddings, as well as linked to the [[Vanir]] group of gods, representing the notion of a divine marriage, such as in the ''Poetic Edda'' poem ''[[Skírnismál]]''; the coming together of Gerðr and Freyr.<ref name=DAVIDSON121>Davidson (1988:121).</ref>

==Theories==
==="Rival of Frigg"===
In chapter 19 of the ''Prose Edda'' book ''Skáldskaparmál'', Gerðr is listed among "rivals" of the goddess [[Frigg]], a list of sexual partners of Frigg's husband, [[Odin]].<ref name=FAULKES86/> Instead of ''Gerðr'', the jötunn [[Gríðr]], mother of Odin's son [[Víðarr]] according to the ''Prose Edda'', was probably intended. One manuscript has Gríðr corrected to Gerðr.<ref>Finnur Jónsson (1900:90); he emends the text. In his 1931 diplomatic [[Arnamagnæan Institute|Arnamagnæan]] edition he notes the same.</ref> Andy Orchard notes that it may nonetheless be an intentional inclusion in view of "Odin's notorious appetites".<ref name=ORCHARD54>Orchard (1997:54).</ref>

===Earth and fertility===
Scholar [[John Lindow]] comments that Gerðr's name has been etymologically associated with the earth and enclosures and that the wedding of Gerðr and Freyr is commonly seen as "the [[Hieros gamos|divine coupling]] of sky and earth or at least [[fertility god]] and representative of the soil." Lindow adds that, at the same time, the situation can be read as simply the gods getting what they want from the [[Jötunn|jötnar]].<ref name=LINDOW139>Lindow (2001:139).</ref>

Hilda Ellis Davidson comments that Gerðr's role in ''Skírnismál'' has parallels with the goddess [[Persephone]] from [[Greek mythology]], "since it is made clear that if [Gerðr] remains below in the dark kingdom of the [[underworld]] there will be nothing to hope for but sterility and famine. She does not become the bride of the underworld, however; her bridal is to be in the upper world when she consents to meet Freyr at Barri."<ref name=DAVIDSON86>Davidson (1999:86).</ref>

==Modern influence==
Gerðr has inspired works of art and literature. The Danish poet [[Adam Gottlob Oehlenschläger]] wrote a series of poems referencing Gerðr as collected in (1819) ''Nordens Guder''. [[Esaias Tegnér]]'s (1782–1846) unfinished epic poem ''Gerda'' also references the goddess. K. Ehrenberg depicted the goddess in his illustration (1883) ''Freyr und Gerda, Skade und Niurd''.<ref name=SIMEK105>Simek (2007:105).</ref> Her story was retold in free verse by the Icelandic poet [[Gerður Kristný]] in her ''Blóðhófnir'', a feminist retelling of ''Skírnismál'' that won the 2010 [[Icelandic Literature Award]].<ref>Björn Þór Sigbjörnsson, Bergsteinn Sigurðsson, and others, ''Ísland í aldanna rás, 2001-2010: Saga lands og þjóðar ár frá ári'' (Reykjavík: JPV, 2012), 390.</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv28m3gh8 |title=Cultural Legacies of Old Norse Literature: New Perspectives |date=2022-08-23 |publisher=Boydell & Brewer Ltd |isbn=978-1-80010-609-3 |editor-last=Crocker |editor-first=Christopher |doi=10.2307/j.ctv28m3gh8.16 |jstor=j.ctv28m3gh8 |editor-last2=Geeraert |editor-first2=Dustin}}</ref>
Saturn's moon [[Gerd (moon)|Gerd]] is named after her.

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{commons category|Gerðr}}
{{refbegin}}
* [[Henry Adams Bellows (businessman)|Bellows, Henry Adams]] (Trans.) (1923). ''The Poetic Edda''. [[The American-Scandinavian Foundation]].
* Faulkes, Anthony (Trans.) (1995). ''Edda''. [[Everyman's Library|Everyman]]. {{ISBN|0-460-87616-3}}
* {{Cite book |last=Davidson |first=Hilda Roderick Ellis |author-link=Hilda Ellis Davidson |title=Myths and Symbols in Pagan Europe: Early Scandinavian and Celtic Religions |publisher=[[Manchester University Press]] |year=1988 |url=https://archive.org/details/mythssymbolsinpa00davi |url-access=registration |isbn=9780815624387 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Davidson |first=Hilda Ellis |title=Roles of the Northern Goddess |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=1999 |location=New York |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5uTruKINZCIC |isbn=0-415-13611-3}}
* {{Cite book |author=Finnur Jónsson |author-link=Finnur Jónsson |title=Edda Snorra Sturlusonar |publisher=Gad |year=1900 |location=Copenhagen |url=https://archive.org/details/snorristurluson00jngoog |quote=Hvernig skal kenna Frigg. |language=da}}
* [[Lee M. Hollander|Hollander, Lee Milton]]. (Trans.) (2007). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=qHpwje7-wNkC&q=Heimskringla:+History+of+the+Kings+of+Norway Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway]''. [[University of Texas Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0-292-73061-8}}
* {{Cite book |last=Larrington |first=Carolyne (Trans.) |title=The Poetic Edda |publisher=[[Oxford World's Classics]] |year=1999 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nBzuQZ4MCPIC |isbn=0-19-283946-2}}
* [[John Lindow|Lindow, John]] (2001). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=KlT7tv3eMSwC Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs]''. [[Oxford University Press]]. {{ISBN|0-19-515382-0}}
* Orchard, Andy (1997). ''Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend''. [[Orion Publishing Group|Cassell]]. {{ISBN|0-304-34520-2}}
* [[Rudolf Simek|Simek, Rudolf]] (2007) translated by Angela Hall. ''Dictionary of Northern Mythology''. [[Boydell & Brewer|D.S. Brewer]]. {{ISBN|0-85991-513-1}}
* [[Benjamin Thorpe|Thorpe, Benjamin]] (Trans.) (1866) ''The Elder Edda of Saemund Sigfusson''. [[Norrœna Society]].
{{refend}}

{{Freyr}}
{{Norse mythology}}

{{Good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gerdr}}
[[Category:Ásynjur]]
[[Category:Freyr]]
[[Category:Gýgjar]]
[[Category:Earth goddesses]]

[[is:Gerður]]