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Nanna (Norse deity)

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Norse goddess

For other uses, seeNanna (disambiguation).

InNorse mythology,Nanna orNána is a goddess associated with devotion, peace and harmony. Accounts of Nanna vary greatly by source. In theProse Edda, written in the 13th century bySnorri Sturluson, Nanna is married with the godBaldr and the couple produced a son, the godForseti.

Mythology

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After Baldr's death, Nanna dies of grief. Nanna is placed on Baldr's ship with his corpse and the two are set aflame and pushed out to sea. InHel, Baldr and Nanna are united again. In an attempt to bring back Baldr from the dead, the godHermóðr rides toHel and, upon receiving the hope of resurrection from the goddessHel, Nanna gives Hermóðr gifts to give to the goddessFrigg (a robe of linen), the goddessFulla (a finger-ring), and for others (unspecified). Nanna is frequently mentioned in the poetry ofskalds and a Nanna, who may or may not be the same figure, is mentioned once in thePoetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources.

An account provided bySaxo Grammaticus in his 12th century workGesta Danorumeuhemerises Nanna as a human female, the daughter of King Gevar, and the love interest of both the demi-god Baldr and the humanHöðr. Spurred by their mutual attraction to Nanna, Baldr and Höðr repeatedly do battle. Nanna is only interested in Höðr and weds him, while Baldr wastes away from nightmares about Nanna.

TheSetre Comb, a comb from the 6th or early 7th century hasrunic inscriptions engraved, which may reference the goddess.

Theetymology of the nameNanna is a subject of scholarly debate. Scholars have debated connections between Nanna and other similarly named deities from other cultures, and the implications of the goddess' attestations.

Etymology and place names

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Theetymology of the name of the goddessNanna is debated: Some scholars have proposed that the name may derive from ababble word,nanna,meaning "mother". ScholarJ. de Vries connects the nameNanna to theroot*nanþ-, leading to "the daring one".Lindow (2001)^[1] theorizes that a common noun may have existed in Old Norse,nanna, that roughly meant "woman".^[a]McKinnell (2005)^[4] notes that the "mother" and*nanþ- derivations may not be distinct, commenting thatnanna may have once meant "she who empowers".^[4]^: 144

Attestations

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Poetic Edda

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Baldr and Nanna (1882) byFriedrich Wilhelm Heine

In thePoetic Edda poemHyndluljóð, a figure by the name ofNanna is listed as the daughter ofNökkvi and as a relative ofÓttar. This figure may or may not be the sameNanna as Baldr's wife.^[5]^: 314

Prose Edda

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InHel Baldr, holding Nanna, waves to Hermóðr (1893) by George Percy Jacomb-Hood

In chapter 38 of theProse Edda bookGylfaginning, the enthroned figure of"High" explains that Nanna Nepsdóttir (the last name meaning "Nepr's daughter") and her husband Baldr produced a son, the godForseti.^[6]^: 26

Later inGylfaginning (chapter 49),"High" recounts Baldr's death inAsgard at the unwitting hands of his blind brother,Höðr. Baldr's body is taken to the seaside and, when his body is placed unto his shipHringhorni, Nanna collapses and dies of grief. Her body is placed uponHringhorni with Baldr's, the ship is set aflame, and the godThor hallows the pyre with his hammerMjölnir.^[6]^: 49

Sent by Baldr's mother, the goddessFrigg, the godHermóðr rides to the placeHel to resurrect Baldr. Hermóðr finally arrives inHel to find Baldr in a hall, seated in theseat of honor and with his wife Nanna. Hermóðr bargains with the goddessHel for Baldr's resurrection.Hel and Hermóðr come to an agreement and then Baldr and Nanna accompany Hermóðr out of the hall.

Baldr gives Hermóðr the ringDraupnir, which his fatherOdin had placed on Baldr's pyre, to return toOdin. Nanna presents to Hermóðr a series of gifts: A linen robe for Frigg, a golden ring for the goddessFulla, and other unspecified items. Hermóðr returns to Asgard.^[6]^: 49–50

In the first chapter of theProse Edda book "Skáldskaparmál", Nanna is listed among 8 goddesses attending a feast held in honor ofÆgir.^[6]^: 59

In chapter 5 of "Skáldskaparmál", means of referring toBaldr include "husband of Nanna".^[6]^: 74 In chapter 19, means of referring toFrigg include "mother-in-law of Nanna".^[6]^: 86 In chapter 75, Nanna is listed among goddesses.^[6]^: 157 In chapter 18, theskald Eilífr Goðrúnarson's workÞórsdrápa is quoted, which includes akenning that references Nanna ("wake-hilt-Nanna" for "troll-wife").^[6]^: 83

Gesta Danorum

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Baldr secretly watches Nanna bathing (1898) by Louis Moe

In book III ofGesta Danorum, Nanna is not a goddess, but rather a daughter of the mortal King Gevar. Nanna is attracted to her foster-brotherHöðr (here, also a human), son ofHothbrodd, and "seeks his embraces". One day,Baldr, who Saxo describes as the son of the godOdin, witnesses Nanna bathing and lusts for her; "the sheen of her graceful body inflamed him, and her manifest charms seared his heart – for there is no stronger incitement to lust than beauty."^[7]^: 69 Fearing that Höðr will be an obstacle for his acquisition of Nanna, Baldr resolves to slay Höðr.^[7]

While out hunting,Höðr loses his path in a mist and a group of forest maidens greet him by name. The maidens tell him that they are able to guide fate, and that they appear invisibly on battlefields, where they award victory or defeat at their whim. They informHöðr thatBaldr witnessed Nanna bathing, yet warn Höðr not to challenge Baldr to combat – no matter what he may do – for Baldr sprang from divine seed and is therefore a demi-god. The maidens and their dwelling vanish, and Höðr finds himself standing on an open plain. (Saxo explains that Höðr had been tricked by means of magic.)^[7]^: 68–69

WhenHöðr returns home he recounts to King Gevar that he had lost his path and been tricked by the forest maidens, and immediately asks King Gevar for his daughter Nanna's hand in wedlock. Gevar tells Höðr that he would most certainly approve of the marriage, but thatBaldr had already requested Nanna's hand. Gevar says that he fears Baldr's wrath, for Baldr's body is infused with a holy strength, because his fatherOdin is a god, and hence Baldr cannot be harmed by steel. However, Gevar knows of a sword that can kill Baldr, and he explains that it is very well protected, and tells Höðr how to acquire the sword.^[7]^: 70^[b]

WhileHöðr is off on adventures, obtaining a sword to killBaldr, Baldr marches armed into Gevar's kingdom and claims Nanna. Gevar tells Baldr to reason with Nanna, and Baldr does this with some diplomacy. Despite Baldr's careful efforts at wooing Nanna, he makes no progress; Nanna dodges his advances by arguing that due to their different natures, the offspring of a deity cannot marry a mortal.

Höðr learns of Baldr's actions, and joins forces withHelgi, together they battle with Baldr and his allied gods.^[c]The result is victory for Höðr's forces. After the victory, Höðr again asks Gevar for Nanna's hand and so wins Nanna's embraces. Höðr and Nanna go toSweden and there Höðr becomes ruler.^[7]^: 70–73

In Sweden,Höðr is attacked byBaldr, and in this second engagement Höðr is defeated. He and Nanna flee together back to Denmark. Despite his ostensible victory, Baldr is tormented at night by vivid dreams of Nanna, that distraction from restful sleep results in Baldr's deterioration:

"[Baldr] was incessantly tormented at night by phantoms which mimicked the shape of Nanna and caused him to fall into such an unhealthy condition that he could not even walk properly. For this reason he took to travelling in a chariot or carriage."

"The violent passion that soaked his heart brought him almost to the verge of collapse. He judged that victory had yielded him nothing, since it had not won him Nanna as a prize."^[7]^: 73

The family tree oflegendary Kings of the Danes, according to theGesta Danorum (Books I to VII)

Kings of the Danes are in bold and marked with a crown (♕). Kings of the Swedes are marked with a dagger (†). Superscript numbers before a name indicate in which books ofGesta Danorum the individual is mentioned.

⁽¹⁾ Humble

KEY

⁽¹⁾Angul

⁽¹⁾Dan ♕

⁽¹⁾Grytha

Marriage or coupling

Parent and child

The Angles

⁽¹⁾Humble ♕

⁽¹⁾Lother ♕

⁽¹⁾ King of theSaxons

Succession by other or unclear means

⁽¹⁾Roar

⁽¹⁾Sigtryg, King of the Swedes†

⁽¹⁾Skiold ♕

⁽¹⁾Alfhild

⁽¹⁾ daughter of Roar

⁽¹⁾Bess

⁽¹⁾ sister of Gram

⁽¹⁾Gróa

⁽¹⁾Gram ♕†

⁽¹⁾Sumble, King of the Finns

⁽¹⁾ Wagnhofde

⁽¹⁾Signe

⁽¹⁾Henry, King of the Saxons

⁽¹⁾ Hakon, King of the Nitherians

⁽¹⁾Hardgrep

⁽¹⁾Swipdag ♕†, King of Norway

⁽¹⁾ sister of Guthorm

⁽¹⁾Guthorm ♕

^(1,2,5)Hadding ♕

⁽¹⁾ Ragnhild

⁽¹⁾ Asmund†

⁽¹⁾ Gunnhild

⁽¹⁾ Guthorm

^(1,2) Ulfhild

⁽²⁾Ubbe ♕

⁽¹⁾ Henry

⁽¹⁾ Uffe†

^(1,2) Hunding†

⁽²⁾ Thorhild

⁽²⁾ Scot

⁽¹⁾ daughter of Uffe

⁽²⁾ Ragnar†

⁽²⁾ Swanhwid

⁽²⁾ sisters of Swanhwid

⁽²⁾Handwan

⁽²⁾ Thorwald

^(2,5)Frode ♕

⁽²⁾ daughter of Handwan

^(2,3)Hothbrodd†

⁽²⁾Halfdan ♕

⁽²⁾ Ro

⁽²⁾ Skat

⁽²⁾ Thora

^(2,3)Helge ♕

⁽²⁾Ro ♕

^(2,3)Athisl†

⁽²⁾Urse

^(2,3) King Gewar

^(2,3)Rolf Krage ♕†

⁽²⁾ Rute

⁽²⁾Bjarke

⁽²⁾Skulde

^(2,3)Hiartuar †♕

^(2,3)Hother †♕

⁽³⁾Nanna

⁽³⁾ Herlek

⁽³⁾ Gerit

⁽³⁾ former King of Britain

⁽³⁾ mother of the King of Britain

⁽³⁾ a slave

⁽³⁾ a bondmaid

⁽³⁾Rorik Slyngebond ♕

⁽³⁾ Gerwendil

^(3,4) King of Britain

^(3,4) Queen of Britain

^(3,4) Gerutha

^(3,4)Horwendil

^(3,4)Feng

^(3,4) foster sister of Amleth

^(3,4) daughter of the King of Britain

^(3,4)Amleth

⁽⁴⁾Hermutrude, Queen of Scotland

⁽⁴⁾Wiglek ♕

⁽⁴⁾ son of Amleth

⁽⁴⁾Wermund ♕

⁽⁴⁾Frowin, governor of Sleswik

⁽⁴⁾Uffe ♕, aka Olaf the Gentle

⁽⁴⁾ daughter of Frowin

⁽⁴⁾Ket

⁽⁴⁾Wig

⁽⁴⁾Dan ♕

⁽⁴⁾Hugleik ♕

⁽⁴⁾Frode the Vigorous ♕

⁽⁴⁾Dan ♕

⁽⁵⁾ Kraka

⁽⁵⁾ Ragnar

⁽⁵⁾ Brak

^(4,5)Fridleif the Swift ♕

⁽⁵⁾ Hun, King of the Huns

⁽⁵⁾ Hun

⁽⁵⁾ Gotar, King of Norway

⁽⁵⁾ Westmar

⁽⁵⁾ Koll

⁽⁵⁾ Gotwar

⁽⁵⁾ Roller

^(5,6)Erik† Shrewd-spoken

⁽⁵⁾ Gunwar the Fair

⁽⁵⁾ Alfhild

^(5,6)Frode ♕

⁽⁵⁾ Hanund

⁽⁵⁾ Grep (eldest of three)

⁽⁵⁾ 11 other sons (two named Grep)

⁽⁶⁾ Hythin, King of Tellemark

⁽⁵⁾ Alf

⁽⁵⁾Eyfura

⁽⁵⁾Arngrim

⁽⁶⁾ Grubb

⁽⁶⁾Hiarn ♕

⁽⁶⁾ Amund, King of Norway

⁽⁶⁾ child of Hythin

⁽⁶⁾ Halfdan†

⁽⁵⁾ 12 sons, includingAnganty

⁽⁶⁾ Ane

⁽⁶⁾ Juritha

⁽⁶⁾Fridleif ♕

⁽⁶⁾ Frogertha

⁽⁶⁾ Hanef, King of Saxony

⁽⁶⁾Swerting, King of Saxony

⁽⁶⁾ Olaf

⁽⁶⁾Frode ♕

^(6,7) Siward†

⁽⁶⁾ sons of Swerting

⁽⁶⁾ sister of the sons of Swerting

^(6,7)Ingild ♕

⁽⁶⁾ Helga

⁽⁶⁾ Helge

⁽⁶⁾ Asa

^(6,7) Frode

^(6,7) Fridleif

^(6,7) Ingild

^(6,7)Olaf ♕

⁽⁷⁾ Karl, governor of Gothland

⁽⁷⁾ Ulfhild

⁽⁷⁾Frode ♕

⁽⁷⁾ Hather, a chief

⁽⁷⁾Harald ♕

⁽⁷⁾ Signe

⁽⁷⁾ Erik†

⁽⁷⁾ Thorhild

⁽⁷⁾Halfdan Biargramm ♕†

⁽⁷⁾ Harald

⁽⁷⁾ Asmund

Kings of Norway

Name spellings are derived fromOliver Elton's 1905 translation,The First Nine Books of the Danish History of Saxo Grammaticus,via Wikisource.

Gesta Danorum på danskæ

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InGesta Danorum på danskæ, an Old Danish chronicle based in part onGesta Danorum, the tale of Hother killing Balder is told very briefly. Nanna also appears, but is not connected to the story of Hother and Balder. Instead, she is the queen of Hother's grandson, KingWighlek.^[8]

The family tree oflegendary Kings of the Danes, according toGesta Danorum på danskæ (extract)

Kings of the Danes are marked with a crown (♕).

♕Halfdan ♂

Ro ♂

Skat ♂

KEY

Marriage or coupling

♕Ro or Halfdan ♂

♕Helghe ♂

Thore ♀

Parent and child

Succession by other means

♕ Adog king ♂

Yrse ♀

♕Snio ♂

♕Rolf Krage ♂

Skulda ♀

♕Hartwar ♂

Hodbrod ♂

Hadding's daughter ♀

♕Hother ♂

♕Rorik Slengeborre,
also called Rake ♂

Rorik's sister ♀

Orwendel ♂

Feng ♂

King of Britain's daughter ♀

Amblothe ♂

Queen of Scotland ♀

♕Wighlek ♂

Nanna ♀

♕Wermund ♂

♕Offe the Strong ♂

The source used for the genealogical information and name spellings is theEnglish translation provided by Peter Tunstall.

Archaeological record

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TheSetre Comb, a comb from the 6th or early 7th century hasrunic inscriptions which may refer to the goddess. The comb is the subject of an amount of scholarly discourse as most experts accept the reading of the Germaniccharm wordalu andNanna; whether theNanna engraved on the comb is the same as the goddess Nanna fromthe Eddas is questioned by some scholars.^[9]^: 24

Reception

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Some scholars have attempted to linkOld NorseNanna with theSumerian name of thegoddessInanna^[d] or thePhrygian goddessNana.^[e]

ScholarSimek (2007)^[2] opines that identification with Inanna, Nannar, or Nana is "hardly likely"^[2]^: 227 since they were so widely separated in time and place.^[2]Davidson (2008)^[7] agrees and says that while "the idea of a link with Sumerian Inanna, 'Lady of Heaven', was attractive to early scholars" the notion "seems unlikely".^[7]^: 51

Notes

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^
Etymology references:
- For "babble word" etymology, see^[2]^: 227^[3]^: 117^[1]^: 236
- ForJ. de Vries' root theory, see^[1]^[2]^: 227
- ForLindow's common noun theory, see^[1]^: 236
^Höðr acquires the sword in a series of adventuresBaldr and Nanna are not involved in.
^The gods fighting onBaldr's behalf includeThor and Odin, but are otherwise not named.
^SumerianInanna was ancientlyequated with theBabylonian goddessIshtar.
^Phrygian goddessNana was the mother of the godAttis, the self-castrated consort ofΚυβέλη (Kubelë).

References

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^^a ^b ^c ^dLindow, J.(2001)Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and BeliefsOxford University Press ISBN 0-19-515382-0
^^a ^b ^c ^d ^eSimek, R. (auth.)Hall, Angela (trans.)(2007)Dictionary of Northern MythologyWoodbridge, Suffolk, UK & Rochester, NY:D.S. BrewerISBN 0-85991-513-1
^Orchard, Andy (1997).Dictionary of Norse Myth and LegendCassellISBN 0-304-34520-2
^^a ^bMcKinnell, John(2005)Meeting the Other in Norse Myth and LegendWoodbridge, Suffolk, UK & Rochester, NY:D.S. BrewerISBN 1-84384-042-1
^Larrington, Carolyne (trans.)(1999)The Poetic EddaOxford World's ClassicsISBN 0-19-283946-2
^^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^hFaulkes, Anthony (trans.)(1995)EddaEverymanISBN 0-460-87616-3
^^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^hSaxo Grammaticus (src. auth.)Hilda Ellis Davidson (ed. & commt. auth.)Peter Fisher (trans.)(17 January 2008)Saxo Grammaticus: The History of the Danes, Books I-IX(revised edition)Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK & Rochester, NY:Boydell & Brewer (a.k.a. BOYE6 a.k.a. Boydell Press)ISBN 978-0-85991-502-1
see alsoGesta Danorum, book III
^English translation ofGesta Danorum på danskæ (as The Chronicle of the Kings of Lejre), by Peter Tunstall.
^MacLeod, Mindy &Mees, Bernard(2006)Runic Amulets and Magic ObjectsWoodbridge, Suffolk, UK:Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK:Boydell PressISBN 1-84383-205-4

External links

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Media related toNanna at Wikimedia Commons

Old Norse religion andmythology

Mythological Norse people, items and places

Deities,
dwarfs,jötnar,
and other figures

Æsir	Almáttki áss Baldr Bragi Dellingr Forseti Heimdall Hermóðr Höðr Hœnir Ítreksjóð Lóðurr Loki Máni Meili Mímir Móði and Magni Odin Óðr Thor Týr Ullr Váli (son of Odin) Víðarr Vili and Vé
Ásynjur	Bil Eir Frigg Fulla Gefjon Gerðr Gná Hlín Iðunn Ilmr Irpa Lofn Nanna Njörun Rán Rindr Sága Sif Sigyn Sjöfn Skaði Snotra Sól Syn Þorgerðr Hölgabrúðr Þrúðr Vár Vör
Vanir	Freyja Freyr Ingunar-Freyr Yngvi Gersemi Gullveig Hnoss Kvasir Njörðr Sister-wife of Njörðr
Jötnar	Ægir Alvaldi Angrboða Aurboða Baugi Beli Bergelmir Bestla Bölþorn Býleistr Eggþér Fárbauti Fjölvar Fornjót Gangr Geirröðr Gillingr Gjálp and Greip Gríðr Gunnlöð Gymir Harðgreipr Helblindi Helreginn Hljod Hræsvelgr Hrímgerðr Hrímgrímnir Hrímnir Hroðr Hrungnir Hrymr Hymir Hyrrokkin Iði Ím Járnsaxa Laufey Leikn Litr Logi Mögþrasir Narfi (father of Nott) Sökkmímir Surtr Suttungr Þjazi Þökk Þrívaldi Þrúðgelmir Þrymr Útgarða-Loki Vafþrúðnir Víðblindi Vosud Vörnir Ymir
Dwarfs	Alvíss Andvari Austri, Vestri, Norðri and Suðri Billingr Dáinn Durinn Dúrnir Dvalinn Fáfnir Fjalar and Galar Gandalf Hreiðmarr Litr Mótsognir Ótr Regin Sons of Ivaldi Brokkr Eitri
Heroes	List of figures in Germanic heroic legend A B–C D–E F–G H–He Hi–Hy I–O P–S T–Y people, clan, and place names in Germanic heroic legend named animals and plants named weapons, armour and treasures
Others	Ask and Embla Auðr Auðumbla Aurvandill Beyla Borr Búri Byggvir Dísir Landdísir Dragons Draugs Einherjar Eldir Elves Dark elves (Dökkálfar) Light elves (Ljósálfar) Black elves (Svartálfar) Fimafeng Fjalar (rooster) Fenrir Fjörgyn and Fjörgynn Fylgja Garmr Gullinbursti Hati Hróðvitnisson Hel Hildisvíni Hjúki Horses of the Æsir Árvakr and Alsviðr Blóðughófi Falhófnir Gísl Glaðr Glær Glenr Grani Gullfaxi Gulltoppr Gyllir Hamskerpir and Garðrofa Hófvarpnir Skinfaxi and Hrímfaxi Sleipnir Svaðilfari Jörð Jörmungandr Líf and Lífthrasir Loddfáfnir Móðguðr Nine Daughters of Ægir and Rán Nine Mothers of Heimdallr Narfi (son of Loki) Níðhöggr Norns Skuld Urðr Verðandi Personifications Dagr Elli Nótt Sumarr and Vetr Sæhrímnir Skírnir Sköll Shield-maiden Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr Troll Þjálfi and Röskva Vættir Landvættir Váli (son of Loki) Valkyries Völundr Vörðr

Places
(Cosmology)

Underworld	Hel Éljúðnir Gjallarbrú Náströnd Niflhel Niðafjöll
Rivers	Élivágar Gjöll Ífingr Kerlaugar Körmt and Örmt Slidr River Vadgelmir Vimur River
Other locations	Asgard Amsvartnir Andlang Barri Bifröst Bilskirnir Brávellir Brimir Fensalir Fólkvangr Fornsigtuna Fyrisvellir Gálgviðr Gandvik Gastropnir Gimlé Ginnungagap Glaðsheimr Glæsisvellir Glitnir Gnipahellir Grove of fetters Heiðr Himinbjörg Hindarfjall Hlidskjalf Hnitbjorg Hoddmímis holt Iðavöllr Járnviðr Jötunheimr Mímameiðr Myrkviðr Munarvágr Nóatún Okolnir Sessrúmnir Sindri Singasteinn Þrúðheimr Þrúðvangr Þrymheimr Uppsala Útgarðar Valaskjálf Valhalla Vanaheimr Víðbláinn Vígríðr Vingólf Wells Hvergelmir Mímisbrunnr Urðarbrunnr Ýdalir Yggdrasil

Events

Sources

Society

Religious practice	Anthropomorphic wooden cult figurines of Central and Northern Europe Blót Hof Heitstrenging Horses Hörgr Worship Öndvegissúlur Reginnaglar Sacred trees and groves Sonargöltr Temple at Uppsala Til árs ok friðar Vé Wetlands and islands
Festivals and holy periods	Álfablót Dísablót Germanic calendar Þorrablót Vetrnætr Yule
Other	Death Ergi Félag Galdr Goði Hamingja Heiti Kenning Mead hall Nīþ Numbers Philosophy Rings Runes Seiðr Skald Viking Age Völva