The Significance of Gefjun in Norse Mythology
Gefjun, pronounced “GEV-yoon” and occasionally spelled as “Gefjon,” “Gefiun,” or “Gefion,” is a revered goddess in Norse mythology, embodying themes of agriculture, fertility, abundance, and prosperity. The etymology of her name comes from the Old Norse verb gefa, meaning “to give,” rendering her title as “the Giver” or “the Generous One.”
Much of what we know about Gefjun derives from the thirteenth-century Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson. Although one should approach Snorri’s narratives with caution, his accounts of Gefjun often strike a chord of authenticity.
Gefjun’s Mythical Journey
According to Snorri’s chronicles, Gefjun, while traversing Sweden incognito as a beggar woman, caught the attention of King Gylfi. The king generously granted her land equivalent to what four oxen could cultivate in a single day. Summoning her four sons, whom she had birthed from an unnamed giant, she transformed them into oxen for the task. Remarkably, they not only plowed but also transported the land itself from Sweden, creating the depression known today as Lake Mälaren. The rocks and soil they uprooted ultimately formed the Danish island of Zealand, where Copenhagen now stands.
A similar tale exists in the ninth-century poem “Ragnarsdrápa,” penned by Bragi Boddason, which likely influenced Snorri’s retelling.
The Earth Goddess Connection
Throughout ancient Norse and Germanic traditions, linking an earth goddess with the act of plowing was common. The goddess Fjorgyn’s name had evolved to synonymous with “earth” by the Viking Age, possibly tracing its roots back to a Proto-Indo-European term for “furrow.”
An Old English prayer invoking an unrecorded goddess, “Erce,” reinforces this theme, recited during the early spring plowing. While compiled post-Christianity, the prayer maintains pre-Christian origins, marrying elements of the Christian god to aspects of traditional Indo-European beliefs, depicting a celestial deity nurturing the earth goddess in a metaphor of divine union.
Other References and Interconnections
The relationship between Gefjun and other earth deities, such as Nerthus—whose worship is believed to have been situated in Zealand—further illustrates her role in the pantheon of goddess figures in Norse lore.
Few more mentions of Gefjun appear in Old Norse literature. In “Lokasenna,” Loki insinuates that Gefjun traded sexual favors for valuable gems, a parallel duplication of Freya’s character engagement in similar act. This invites contemplation on the nuances that differentiate Gefjun and Freya. Indeed, Freya possesses a moniker, Gefn, sharing the same derivation and meaning of “Giver” or “Generous One.”
Snorri’s portrayal of Gefjun as a virgin stands in contrast to her perceived libertinism, suggesting a contradiction in his claims that virgin women find refuge with her posthumously.
A Broader Perspective
Ultimately, it is challenging to disentangle Gefjun from other earth mother goddesses such as Freya, Frigg, Nerthus, Fjorgyn, Jord, and Sif. These figures may not have been strictly considered identical, but rather, variations representing a common archetype of the “earth mother.”
From a contemporary viewpoint, one might wonder why the Norse and Germanic cultures did not consolidate these deities into a single goddess, as such a move would lead to simpler interpretations. However, ancient Germanic spirituality lacked a systematic and rational approach; it thrived on the fluid characteristics of its divine entities. The “earth mother goddess” archetype likely represents a deep-rooted element within the Germanic cultural consciousness.
