Gefjun: The Norse Goddess of Abundance and Prosperity
Gefjun, often pronounced as “GEV-yoon” and occasionally spelled as “Gefjon” or “Gefiun,” holds a significant position in Norse mythology as the goddess of agriculture, fertility, and plenty. Her name stems from the Old Norse verb gefa, meaning “to give,” allowing her to be interpreted as “Giver” or “Generous One.”
The principal source of our knowledge regarding Gefjun comes from the writings of the thirteenth-century Icelandic scholar Snorri Sturluson. Although interpretations of Norse mythos through Snorri’s lens must be approached with caution, his accounts undoubtedly contain elements of genuine tradition regarding Gefjun.
According to Snorri’s narrative, Gefjun roamed through Sweden while disguised as a beggar. When she met the kind-hearted King Gylfi, he generously offered her as much land as four oxen could cultivate in a single day. Gefjun then called upon her four sons—who she bore with an unknown giant—and transformed them into oxen to till the soil. Their efforts not only plowed the land but also dragged it from Sweden, resulting in a depression that became the lake Mälaren. This land was ultimately pushed into the ocean, forming the Danish island of Zealand, which now features the city of Copenhagen.
A shorter and more vague recounting of this tale is present in the ninth-century poem Ragnarsdrápa by Bragi Boddason, which likely influenced Snorri’s depiction.
The link between an earth goddess and the act of plowing was prevalent across the ancient practices of the Norse and Germanic peoples. The term for goddess Fjorgyn, used during the Viking Age as a synonym for “earth,” may derive from a Proto-Indo-European word referring to “furrow.”
An instance of this thematic connection appears in an Old English prayer dedicated to a goddess named “Erce,” recited when fields were first plowed in spring. This prayer, although documented post-Christian conversion, has roots in pre-Christian beliefs. It integrates the Christian God into a traditional Indo-European archetype, representing the sky god who fertilizes the earth goddess in a sacred union. H.R. Ellis Davidson translates the prayer as follows:
“Erce, Erce, Erce, Earth Mother,
may the Almighty Eternal Lord
grant you fields to increase and flourish,
fields fruitful and healthy,
shining harvest of shafts of millet,
broad harvests of barley…
Hail to thee, Mother of Men!
Bring forth now in God’s embrace
filled with good for the use of men.”
Gefjun’s association with Zealand also hints at parallels with Nerthus, another earth mother goddess whose worship was reportedly centered on the same island.
In the realm of Old Norse literature, references to Gefjun are limited. In the Eddic poem Lokasenna, Loki accuses her of exchanging sexual favors for valuable jewels, a claim that also pertains to the goddess Freya. This overlap in character raises questions about how distinctly Gefjun and Freya were perceived, especially given one of Freya’s alternate names, Gefn, which shares a root meaning related to “Giver.”
Nevertheless, Snorri’s insistence that Gefjun is a virgin seems contradictory, particularly when considering her alleged promiscuity. He claims that girls who die maintaining their virginity are welcomed into her company upon death.
In summary, Gefjun can be embraced as part of the broader category of Germanic “earth mother goddesses,” which also encompasses figures like Freya, Frigg, Nerthus, Fjorgyn, Jord, and Sif. This does not imply that they were perceived as a single goddess, but rather as various representations of a common archetype.
One might wonder why ancient Norse and other Germanic societies didn’t consolidate these figures into one singular goddess. To contemporary sensibilities, such an approach might seem more logical and streamlined. However, a hallmark of ancient Germanic spirituality was its lack of rigidity and systematic classification, allowing for varying interpretations and fluid identities among divine figures. The concept of an “earth mother goddess” representing fertility seems to resonate deeply within the Germanic cultural psyche.
For further exploration into Norse mythology and religion, valuable insights can be found in various texts and academic research on the topic, including in-depth exploration of similar themes, figures, and ancient practices.
