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Even though Njord was worshipped by sea raiders and vikings, he was still worshipped as a fertility deity. Learn how your comment data is processed. Njord (pronounced NYORD; Old Norse Njrr, whose meaning/etymology is unknown) is one of the principal gods of the Vanir tribe of deities. Odin says the giant is aware of every gods fate and asks him where Njord came from before being taken hostage and sent to Asgard, as he was not raised there. Odin, Mimir, and several other Norse gods made up a clan . Unfortunately, like most other Vanir gods, Njord isnt often mentioned in modern culture. Freyr was made ruler of Alfheim, the 11th realm, Freya lived in her hall Flkvangr, and Njord in his hall Natn. However, there is a great variation in size. Sturluson adapted this story in the Prose Edda where the gods find two trees (usually given as an Ash tree and Elm tree) and create the first humans from these. Not much is said about him after that. Unfortunately, thats about all that the surviving sources tell us about Njord. As noted, the great tales of the gods and heroes were transmitted orally until the arrival of Christianity which, because it was based on the revelation of scripture, encouraged literacy. 7. Translated by Angela Hall. His wives were Skadi and Nerthus, who also happens to be his twin sister and the mother of his children. Although the pre-Christian Norse had the writing system of the runic alphabet, runes were used for brief messages such as inscriptions on memorials, not for longer works. Although counted among the sir, they maintain their affiliation with their former kin. In the Prose Edda, Njord first appears in chapter 23 of Gylfaginning. Here is a summary of important facts to note about the Norse god Njord: Unlike other gods like Thor and Freyr, Njord is not mentioned in a lot of todays modern culture. Each prospective mate was hidden behind a curtain, and the giant was asked to select her husband by examining their feet. He is the the god of the sea and seafarers, fertility, winds, wealth, and fishing. [1][2] A saying among the Norse peoples held especially wealthy people to be as rich as Njord.[3]. The accidental part lies in the fact that Skadi demanded to be married to the god of the sun Balder as compensation for the sir killing her father, the giant jazi or Thiazi. He is the husband of Skadi and father of Yngvi- Freyr and Freyja . They eventually came to a compromise: Njord consented to live for nine days and nights in Thrymheimr, and Skadi agreed to spend the next three nights in Natn. He knows this will enrage Thor but does it anyway. His second wife was Skadi (Skade), a Giantess. Vafrnisml. Poetic Edda. He tells of Njords powers with seafaring and fishing and that he is prosperous and wealthy, able to help those who came to him seeking help with land and money. The tale in which Njord features most prominently is The Marriage of Njord and Skadi. https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/pre/pre05.htm. God of the Wind, Seafarers, Coasts, Inland Waters and Wealth - though not the God of the sea - Njord is a member of the Vanir rather than the sir. Stanza 43 confirms Freyr is his son and tells of the construction of Freyrs ship, Skblanir. Mark, Joshua J.. "Ten Norse Mythology Facts You Need to Know." This aspect of the story encouraged careful personal hygiene which the Vikings were famous for, contrary to their popular depiction as dirty or unkempt in that one would keep ones nails short and well-cared for to stave off the completion of Naglfar and so the arrival of the end of days. World History Publishing is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. Upon completing their stays, both gods complained bitterly of their spouses living situations. His veneration is said to have continued even after the Viking Age all through to the 19th century, where Norwegians still thanked him for a bountiful catch of fish. Omissions? So sad that its not taught in school as much a Greek and Roman. We discover this when Odin (disguised this time as Gagnrr participates in a verbal joust with the jtunn Vafrnir. When their trial period ended, Skadi left to live for the mountains and wolves of Thrymheimr, where she hunted and hiked for the rest of her days. Almost immediately, they began to quarrel about where they would live. Njord married thejtunnSkadi, but their marriage was a loveless one and the two seldom saw each other. Aside from being his sister, Nerthus is also believed to have been his first wife. While he has degrees in both Creative Writing and Marketing, much of his research and work are focused on history and mythology. Njords parentage remains murky, and it is unclear whether or not he even had parents; his existence may have simply been taken for granted. the most popular viking names life in norway. While Njord fathered two childrenthe beloved Freyr and Freyatheir mother was Njords sister, rather than Skadi. Your email address will not be published. She has apparently done her homework. In Norse mythology, Njord or Njordr (Old Norse Njrr) is one of the Vanir (the gods of prosperity and fertility), and is seen as the god of wind, of arable land along the seacoast, and also of various nautical roles (including seamanship, sailing and fishing). Ullr 8. Ran was also seen as a negative sea force, known for dragging people to the sea with her large fishnets. In Cosmology by Skjalden June 1, 2011. The original meaning of this word may be related to the Irish word nert, which means power or force. Hes also an honorary member of the Aesir gods, having been sent to them during the Aesir-Vanir War along with his son, Freyr, and his daughter, Freya. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. The marriage failed because Njrd preferred to live in Natn, his home by the sea, while Skadi was happier in her fathers mountain dwelling place. You will also learn about the different types of creatures that populate the world of Norse mythology. His name could, however, be associated with the name Njrun a Norse goddess. As patriarch of the Vanir deities, Njord led his tribe against the Aesir gods during the Aesir-Vanir War. Two humans, Lif and Lifthrasir, who hid themselves during Ragnark, come out and repopulate the world and life goes on. The Norse gods belong to two major clans: sir and Vanir. TheSkldskaparml, a section of Snorri SturlsonsProse Edda, filled in the details of their meeting and marriage. That is because he represents wealth and good fortune. His children are Freyr and Freya, whose mother is unknown today. The Old Norse Language and How to Learn It, The Swastika Its Ancient Origins and Modern (Mis)use. Njord is said to be a future survivor of Ragnark in stanza 39 of the poetic Edda: In Vanaheim the wise Powers made him and gave him as hostage to the gods; at the doom of men he will come back home among the wise Vanir.. According to Poetic Edda, he is said to have moved back to Vanir during the final battle. He was extremely rich. Odin hears of Lokis children through a prophecy that they will one day cause the gods great trouble and has them taken from their mother. According to the poem Vlusp from the Poetic Edda, the first humans were the male Ask and the female Embla who were found by the gods Odin, Hnir, and Lodurr on a nameless shore and given life. He is said to represent the calmness of the sea and its ability to give. He is also known to have the ability to calm the waters as well as fire. Dictionary of Northern Mythology. He was widely regarded as one of their greatest deities. The popularity of the deities of the Norse pantheon is evident in the names of the days of the week in English, influenced by Germanic and Scandinavian languages brought to Britain before and during the Viking Age. Also called Nordic, Scandinavian, or Germanic mythology, Norse mythology is a collection of tales originating from centuries of oral tradition. That is why this post focuses on discussing more Njord, who he is, what he represents, his family, and his significance in Norse mythology. The Norse god of the sea and ruler of the winds, originally one of the Vanir. Her brother Freyr, is associated with fine weather and good fortune, and also said to be . Being a Vanir, marriage between a brother and sister wasnt opposed. From the first Odin had a desire for knowledge and wisdom, and he consulted all living things to obtain them. (2021, September 21). Dumzil thus believes that Hading finally becomes an Odin hero, i.e. Back in the mists of pre-Norse paganism he was apparently a female goddess of Fertility known as Nerthus. He is best known for being decapitated and thereafter providing wisdom to the chief of the gods, Odin. Befitting his status as god of wind and waters and master of fishermens fates, Njord lived by the sea. Skadi refuses and insisted that she would only settle for the husband of her choice among the gods. In Norse mythology, it is unclear if Njord had any parents. As the gods of mountains and the sea, Skadi and Njord didnt have much in common. The story here is that someone had agreed to build a fortified settlement for the gods in exchange for Freyja, the sun, and the moon. The Norse god of wind and waters, Njord was the patron of sailors and fishermen; he also brought wealth to the just and deserving. Although all the Norse gods are believed to meet their end in this battle, some are said to have survived. The name Nerthus resembles the feminine form of Njord used around year one of the Common Era (or 1 AD). As such, he is said to be the representation of the sea, its calm nature, and its abundance. Njord is said to be the god of the sea and wind. Njord keeps his cool and wisely responds thus: That was my reward, when I, from far away,was sent as a hostage to the gods,that I fathered that son, whom no one hatesand is thought the prince of the sir. Both names are said to be derived from the Proto-Germanic word Nerpuz. One of the biggest questions is Njord's connection to the goddess Nerthus, described by Tacitus in the 1st century AD. Source & More 4Santa Odin Im a huge fan of Norse mythology. Doyle Penrose (Public Domain). The sea-mew every morn.[2]. Heimdall 7. Its a great fit for him because he has always had a fascination with mythology, be it Norse, Greek or Roman. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. LOL! In the Prose Edda, he is a member of the trio along with Jafnhrr and rii that respond to the questions posed by Gangleri (the Scandinavian king Gylfi in disguise). Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard is a trilogy of fantasy novels written by American author Rick Riordan with the subject of Norse mythology and published by Disney-Hyperion.It is based on Norse mythology and is set in the same universe as the Camp Half-Blood Chronicles and The Kane Chronicles series. He is the father of Freyr (Lord) and Freya (Lady) and leader of the Vanir. Eventually, Njord and his children became accepted and even admired by the Aesir; their friendship laid the foundation for a lasting peace. Adam writes about all-things Old Norse for several sites. Njord is one of a few Norse gods and beings associated with the sea, and was an important deity, with widespread worship among the Norse people. When Balder, beloved son of Odin and Frigg, is slain in a game, thanks to the machinations of Loki, Balder finds himself in Helheim. Norse goddesses Names and characteristics 1. Chapter 8 states that Njord married a woman named Skadi, but she did not consummate the marriage, and they separated. The surviving deities, including Frigg, Freyja, Sif, Idunn, Thors sons, and Odins sons, return to the place where Asgard once stood and tell the tales of Odin and the great battle to a new generation of gods. There was actually a saying among the rich that said as rich as Njord. Njord along with her daughter was appointed as the priest and priestess of the sacrifices offered in Asgard. All beings inhabit these nine circles- the Viking Gods reside in the heavenly realm of Asgard, humanity inhabits Midgard, and the other worlds are inhabited by beings such as elves, giants and dwarves. Loki does so, and Idunn is taken by the giant. While there he managed to survive Ragnarok. Alfheim: Alfheim is the home of the Elves. The Internet Sacred Text Archive. This theory might be the basis of the story that Njords first wife was his own sister (Nerthus), who bore him Frey and Freyja. Freyr - Important god of the Vanir. Passionate in her pursuits, especially in the pursuit of justice, Skadi is determined to live how she wants and not be told by the gods of Asgard. Bibliography Ten Norse Mythology Facts You Need to Know, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike, Sunday honoring Sunna, Norse goddess of the sun, Monday in honor of Mani, Norse god of the moon and brother to Sunna. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) They had no name for their religion but referred to it as sidr ("custom" or "tradition"), which came to be interpreted to mean "the old ways" once Christianity had supplanted it and was known as "the new way". We would much rather spend this money on producing more free history content for the world. The Norse belief system was as integral a part of the peoples lives as that of any other culture of antiquity or religious belief in the present day. In fact, those who got rich from raiding were called "as rich as Njord." But to truly understand Njord and his story we must understand who the Vanir gods are. The very existence of Thors famous hammer is also due to Loki who decides one morning to cut the hair of Thors wife, Sif, while she is sleeping. Thor would be more of an honorary nephew to Loki than anything else if that and in the Lokasenna, he is the only god Loki seems to respect and fear. That doesnt change the fact that he was among the most worshipped Norse god, being the god of wealth and the sea. 2022 Wasai LLC. The Vanir sent their most outstanding men Njord and Freyr while the sir sent Hnir and the god of wisdom Mimir. LOL! He is said to grant prosperity and great wealth in the form of land to those who invoke him for help. Mark has lived in Greece and Germany and traveled through Egypt. They are usually associated with habits, because phallus worship is usually closely linked to fertility. His reign was said to be good years filled with peace and abundance. He would later join the Aesir as part of a peace settlement. Their main gods were Njord, Freyr, and Freyja. Njord was the god of wind, seafarers, coasts and inland waters. Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University. Loki and Njord have verbal exchanges in the poem Lokasenna (Lokis verbal jousts). Despite this paucity of literary descriptions, though, other forms of evidence show us that he was once a very widely-worshiped god amongst the Norse.[4]. Njord was believed to have the power to calm the waters and quelling fires. Grave goods excavated from tombs and ship burials strongly suggest a belief in an afterlife, and it is clear there were pre-Christian realms of the dead awaiting the souls of the deceased so the rebirth motif of the Ragnark tale may be much older than scholars like McCoy have claimed. The Poetic Edda is a compilation of verses from around the 10th century while the Prose Edda is a narrative written by the Icelandic mythographer and scholar Snorri Sturluson (l. 1179-1241) around 1220. Snorri Sturluson describes him as follows: The third among the sir is he that is called Njrdr: he dwells in heaven, in the abode called . Eventually, the two started living separately. Traditionally, Njrds native tribe, the Vanir, gave him as a hostage to the rival tribe of Aesir, the giantess Skadi choosing him to be her husband. The Norse Gods. Although, Freyr is more popular than Njord. Their age makes them likely to be relics of a widespread Njord cult. The connection is thus based on a linguistic affinity, but the direct link between Iron Age Nerthus and Viking Age Njord is unknown, as she does not appear in the younger sources, just as Njord is not known from the older ones. He was said to not only control the sea and wind, but also to provide wealth and have a role in the fertility of crops. Sailors called on him to give them safe voyages and bountiful fishing. Its also worth noting that the Vanir gods were considerably more peaceful than the war-like sir. Asatru seeks to create the kind of balance encouraged by Norse mythology by removing it from the realm of "myth" and returning it to an active faith in which gods, spirits, and humans work together in harmony to maintain order and celebrate the earth and all its inhabitants, both seen and unseen. The two main sources for all extant Norse mythology are the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, both from the 13th century. A little-known detail of the final battle concerns the ship Naglfar which will carry the army of the dead, provided by Hel, to the battlefield to face the gods. Even though he is a peaceful Vanir god, sea raiders, who are aggressive groups, still invoke him for help. Tacitus describes the two as having similar traits, so it could be possible that Njord is actually the male counterpart of Nerthus. A number of modern-day scholars have attempted to reconstruct pre-Christian Norse beliefs using textual and archaeological evidence, but any conclusions must finally be speculative because there is no written record of the tales before the arrival of the Christian missionaries. Although he was married to the goddess Skai in an ill-fated and loveless relationship, she was not the mother of his children, which was, very strangely, his sister. It is one of Odin's sons - Vidar, the god of vengeance - who eventually kills Fenrir after she survives the apocalyptic event Ragnarok. Looking for the perfect name? To navigate this world, one relied on the entities of the invisible realms surrounding that of mortals, primarily the gods of Asgard (the Aesir), who had established order in the beginning and maintained it against the threat of chaos. Apel, T. (2022, December 8). Loki 4. And I did not discover it because of Thor and the movies. In the Prose Edda story Gylfaginning, Hr states that Skai is Njrrs wife. Njord accidentally got married to the Norse goddess/giantess of the mountains, skiing, and hunting Skadi. It is by the sea and said to be his favorite place. Njord. So, when the Vikings saw large waves approaching, they believed that Aegir was close buy and so they invoked Njord to come and counter him. It would seem that while Aegir and Ran symbolized the destructive and dangerous side of the sea, Njord symbolized the seas ability to give and provide. As patriarch of the Vanir deities, Njord led his tribe against the Aesir gods during the Aesir-Vanir War. What Does The Celtic Tree Of Life Symbol Mean? Hodr 6. https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/pre/pre04.htm. Fjorgyn - Lover of Odin and mother of Thor. amp maps britannica. Fenrir's Demise. That was until after the Aesir-Vanir war when his children and he were exchanged as hostages and taken to Aesir as part of the peace settlement. Her brother was Freyr and her husband Odr, with whom she had two daughters, Hnoss and Gersemi. Known as the snowshoe goddess, she rules over mountains, wildernesses, winter, revenge, knowledge, damage, justice, and independence. Ragnarok. The seven days were all named in honor of a Roman deity, still evident in the days names in Romance languages, but in English took on Norse names. Skadi is said to later have had a relationship with Odin and had many children with him. Sturluson, Snorri. Odin (also known as Woden and inn) 2. Njord was called the drot or sole sovereign of the Swedes at that time. Chapter 5 states that Odin provided temple priests with fine properties, which is how Njord ended up living in Natn. Looking for more great information on Norse mythology and religion? The name Mimir means the rememberer or memory, which is a clear indication of his vast knowledge. In Heimskringla, Skai is no longer with Njord and has married the god Odin, the two producing many children together. As the protector of the seafaring, fishers, farmers, and hunter, he was a favorite god among the Vikings. Hr mentions that Njord controls the movement of the winds and can direct sea and fire. The second clan, Vanir, contains the fertility gods and count Njord, Freyr, and Freyja as their most notable members. Some scholars believe that there were other Vanir gods as well but written accounts about them simply didnt survive through the ages. Mark, published on 21 September 2021. Corrections? The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. These include parallels to the marriage with Skadi. Bragi 11. [2] Turville-Petre, E.O.G. Njord was one of the principal gods of the Vanir before being sent to Asgard. Enraged at this turn of events, Skadi armed herself and made for Asgard, intent on exacting revenge. A jtunn was not necessarily a giant both Loki and his daughter Hel (also a jtunn) are depicted as normal-sized beings but the jtnar (plural of jtunn) seem to have a familial relationship with the giants, and both are associated with Jotunheim. "Nerthus" is a Latinized version of the reconstructed Germanic name *Nerus, i.e. The Aesir agreed, with the condition that she could only choose a husband by looking at their feet. Related Content The Swedes believed that Njord controlled the growth of seasons and the peoples prosperity. Summary and Analysis: Norse Mythology The Norse Gods Odin, Thor, Balder, Frey, Freya, and Loki. Although her identity is not clear, many believe that he was the twin brother to Nerthus. This work also dates from the 13th century and was sponsored by Snorre Sturlason. Internet Sacred Text Archive. He is one of the important and widely worshipped deities in the Norse pantheon. Njord (also spelled Njorth, Niord, or Njordr), in Norse mythology, a deity associated with wealth and good fortune who ruled over the sea and the course of the winds, and thus navigation. The Vanir gods and goddesses were the earth deities like Freya, goddess of love and fertility, and her father Njord, god of the wind and sea. She chooses Njord by mistake as she believes his beautiful feet (the only part she can see of the men before her) must belong to the handsome and powerful Baldr. Freyja is also often said to have moved to Asgard, however, she also still remained a ruler of her own realm Flkvangr. To me the wailing of | wolves seemed ill, He is also known to have the ability to calm the waters as well as fire. Locations in Norse Mythology. Njord Njord is the god of the sea, seafaring, fair weather, fishing, wealth, and coastal crop fertility. He was often depicted in old poems and paintings but he hasnt been mentioned in any noteworthy literary or movie works in recent years. Giant Winter Goddess of Skiing. Stanza 16 of the poem Grmnisml describes how Njord built a hall in Natn (a high-timbered temple), how he is a prince among men, and that he is not malicious. However, it has been suggested, for example, that the god has changed gender, was previously thought to be a hermaphrodite, or that Nerthus is Njord's sister and original wife, whose existence is mentioned in Lokasenna, but whose name is not mentioned. The gods set an unrealistic deadline in the hopes that the builder would fail and the work would free, but Loki convinced them to allow the builder to use his horse. The tale of Njord and Skadi is perhaps the most popular account of this Norse god. The gods begin to grow old and grey, and Loki must then fly to the giants realm and bring the goddess and her apples back to Asgard. Eir - Goddess of Norse Mythology. Njord is considered to be the exact opposite of the giant Aegir, who is also associated with the sea. An expert in seidr magic, Freya was mostly the go-to deity when it came to things about magic. Those who worshiped him did so in hopes of receiving bounty from the seas. All Rights Reserved. The girl can create sonic booms(pushing out large forces of air) and manipulate water. the 10 best books on the vikings norse mythology for. Despite not being talked about, gods like Njord and Freyr are important gods in Norse mythology too. Sign up now for weekly facts, the latest blogs, and interesting features. Baldur's Death. Just figured it needed to be said. Therefore, Nerthus could be the unnamed sister who bears Freyja and Freyr, with Njord as the father. Some scholars have speculated thatNerthusevolved into Njord; others have suggested Nerthuss traits were spread across a number of Vanir deities. As Baldr didn't get a heroic death in battle but was killed in an accident, he went straight to Hel's realm. Mythopedia. Some say that their marriage is a representation of the stark difference between the tall mountains and raging sea surrounding them in Norway. life in norway. Translated by Henry Adams Bellows. Njord lived in his hall called Natn which means boat haven or ship enclosure. Freyr and Freyas mother is Njords unnamed sister, who, based on linguistic evidence, is probably Nerthus or an equivalent goddess. Njord is included in many place names in several places in the Nordic countries: for example, many sites along the coast of Norway testify to a widespread Njord cult in those regions. Another of Snorre's works, Heimskringla, refers to some of his myths. Based on this account, Njord is noted as a Vanir who was taken as a hostage to Asgard among the Aesir. After that, his body was burned and the Swedes wept over his grave-mound. vikings facts and myths about denmark s vikings. Several "sacred white stones" are known from Norway. attains the status of king and magician. Odin, Frigg, Thor, Loki, Balder, Hod, Heimdall and Tyr are the most elevated representatives of sir and are known as the main gods. The Vanir were mostly deities connected with fertility, commerce, and the earth, while . He is also mentioned in Hauksbk from the 14th century. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. Freya is said to have taught Odin the art of magic. According to Snorre's Edda, Niord lived in Noatun (means "ship-yard"). Copyright Symbol Sage 2022 All Rights Reserved. One of the most common theories is that Nerthus is a later forgotten partner in an original divine sibling pair, structurally similar to the sibling pair Freyr and Freya, who have taken over their place in the religion. Skadis father Thjazi was killed byOdin,Loki,Thor, and the other Aesir following the giants abduction of Idun. Meaning and Healing Properties. It was a necessity to bring an end to the war between the two divine races. Privacy Policy, Njord and the Making of an Unhappy Marriage, rni Magnsson Institute for Icelandic Studies, https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/pre/pre04.htm, https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/pre/pre05.htm, https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/poe05.htm. One of them is found in the account of how Hading is chosen by his later wife Regnhild, this happened by her choosing him during a feast from among the other men, while she could only see their lower legs and feet. Loki answers in stanza 34, saying, from here, you were sent east as a hostage to the gods (a reference to the prisoner exchange after the war between the sir and the Vanir) and Hymirs daughters used you as a pisspot and peed in your mouth. In Norse mythology, Njord (which is an anglicized version of the Old Norse 'Njrr') is a member of the Vanir, a group of deities commonly associated with wealth, fertility, and commerce. To the Norse, the world was an enchanted place of gods, spirits, and other entities that needed to be honored to maintain personal and communal balance. Hel, Goddess of the Underworld and the Death of Balder. Freyja was named as Njords daughter and was a priestess at the killings. This made him an important figure to the seafaring Norse culture. The faith claims to represent "the old ways" as closely as possible and emphasizes respect for the earth and invisible entities as well as ones ancestors and traditions. Njord and Skadi in an illustration fromAsgard and the Gods; Tales and Traditions of our Northern Ancestorsby Wilhelm Wgner (1882). p. 234. Together with his children he moved to Asgard. Unlike the Aesir gods, the Vanir seem to have applied sibling marriage. Njord is briefly mentioned in God of War Ragnarok by Freya and Freyr, but an actual appearance by the old man of the sea could've made Freya's return to Vanaheim and family reunion even more interesting. Once Njord moved to Asgard and became the resident god of the sea there, he also got into an unhappy marriage. Accessed on 2 Mar. Gylfaginning 23. Njrr may also be related to the Norse goddess Njrun. Yordan Zhelyazkov is a published fantasy author and an experienced copywriter. The two are said to have had twins Freyr and Freya, who like them were said to have been lovers or married at some point before the Aesir-Vanir war. World History Encyclopedia. In the Icelandic sources, Njord is linked to the sea and god of seafaring, including fishing and trade, winds and fertility.The East Norse material suggests that Njord was seen as a god of fertility and prosperity, linked to the inland, in contrast to the West Norse, where he was linked to the coast.