Gerðr

Gerðr

Gerðr is a jötunn in Norse Mythology most well known as the wife of the Norse god Freyr. She is the most beautiful of all creatures and may have been a personification of soil fertility. Her brilliant, naked arms illuminated air and sea. Gerðr is daughter of Gymir and Aurboða, and also has a brother named Beli who is leader of the Barking Giants.

Etymology

The name "Gerðr" is probably from "gerða" 'to fence in' related to "garðr" 'enclosed space' cognate with the English word "yard" and (through Old Norse) of the English word "garth".

Attestations

"Poetic Edda"

The account of her wooing is given in the poem "Skírnismál". Gerðr initially rejected marriage to Freyr, refusing his proposals (delivered through Skirnir, his messenger) even after bringing her eleven golden apples and the multiplying ring Draupnir. Skirnir finally threatens to use Freyr's sword to cover the earth in ice and she agreed to marry Freyr.

"Prose Edda"

In "Skáldskaparmál" Gerðr is named along with Jörd, Rind, and Gunnlöd as rivals of Odin's wife Frigg, these other three being among those whom Snorri Sturluson elsewhere relates that Odin had bedded. Gerðr in this list is probably an error for Gríd who is otherwise conspicuously absent. Gerd is included among the Ásynjur in the "Prose Edda".

"Heimskringla"

According to the "Ynglinga saga" she was the mother of Freyr's son Fjölnir who succeeded Freyr as ruler of Sweden.

External links

* [http://www.bartleby.com/61/roots/IE160.html Bartleby: American Heritage Dictionary: Indo-European Roots: gher-¹]


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  • ger-3 —     ger 3     English meaning: to turn, wind     Deutsche Übersetzung: “drehen, winden”     Material: A. O.Ind. guṇá ḥ (*gr̥ nó s) “ the single thread of a string, line, cord; stain “ (dvi , tri guṇa actually “ consisting of two, three threads …   Proto-Indo-European etymological dictionary

  • GER — bezeichnet: einen germanischen Wurfspieß – siehe Ger (Wurfspieß) eine chassidische, ursprünglich polnisch, jüdische Bewegung, siehe Ger (chassidische Bewegung) die mongolische Jurte im Judentum als Ger toschav einen Nichtjude, der die sieben… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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  • Ger — may refer to: *Ger (Hasidic dynasty), a Hasidic dynasty from Góra Kalwaria *Ger (weapon), the javelin of the Germanic tribe of the Teutons *Germany (Ger.) *German language (Ger.) *Granular endoplasmic reticulum (gER)Ger may also be used for:… …   Wikipedia

  • ger-2 —     ger 2     English meaning: to scream (in expr. forms)     Deutsche Übersetzung: in Schallworten, especially for “heiser schreien”     Material: A. O.Ind. járatē “ it rushes, sounds, crackles, shouts “, jarü “ the rustling, murmuring “ (or to …   Proto-Indo-European etymological dictionary

  • ger — GER, geruri, s.n. Temperatură atmosferică foarte scăzută (specifică perioadei din toiul iernii); frig foarte mare. – lat. gelu. Trimis de gall, 23.10.2007. Sursa: DEX 98  ger s. n., pl. géruri Trimis de siveco, 23.10.2007. Sursa: Dicţionar… …   Dicționar Român

  • Ger — puede referirse en geografía a:  España Ger, municipio situado en la provincia de Gerona.  Francia Ger, comuna francesa situada en Mancha. Ger …   Wikipedia Español

  • Ger — Sm per. Wortschatz arch. (9. Jh.), mhd. gēr(e), ahd. gēr, as. gēr Stammwort. Aus g. * gaiza m. Ger , auch in anord. geirr, ae. gār (gotisch wohl in Personennamen) aus ig. (eur.) * ghaisó , auch in gr. chaĩos Hirtenstab , air. gae, woraus l.… …   Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen sprache

  • GER — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Ger. Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. {{{image}}}    …   Wikipédia en Français

  • GER — or Ger may refer to:* Great Eastern Railway, a British railway company formed in 1862 * The Olympic country code for GER * Granular endoplasmic reticulum, a cell organelle * Gross enrolment ratio, a statistical measure used in the education… …   Wikipedia

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