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12 Gods and 24 Goddesses. Which ones are which?

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RubyLight

PostPosted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 2:24 pm


I just finished the Prose Edda and a statement came to my attention. There was a mention of 12 Gods and 24 Goddesses. After going through, several lists of Nordic gods. There are alot more than 36! So, I beg the question, which 12 gods and 24 Goddesses was the story reffering to?
PostPosted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:17 pm


Which story were you reading?

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RubyLight

PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 4:30 pm


The Dyluding of Gelfi. This reference came up a couple of times. I just wish Snorri gave a list of names after that. Any help would be appreciated.
PostPosted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:38 pm


Hár, Jafnhár, and Þriðji (the third) are considered to be either different forms of Odin and/or simply "random names" set forth in a story that is a parable and only written as a frame (or excuse) for Snorri to divulge what he had learned of the olden faith.
(Side note - inspite there being 36 "deities", only two were every really worshiped; Odin and Freya)

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PostPosted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 9:49 pm


RubyLight
I just finished the Prose Edda and a statement came to my attention. There was a mention of 12 Gods and 24 Goddesses. After going through, several lists of Nordic gods. There are alot more than 36! So, I beg the question, which 12 gods and 24 Goddesses was the story reffering to?

Round numbers in mythology tend to be metaphorical rather than literal. 12 and 24 are two very important numbers, so Snorri repeating them here is more an indication of the importance of deities than a specific limitation on how many deities can exist.
PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 6:07 am


RubyLight
I just finished the Prose Edda and a statement came to my attention. There was a mention of 12 Gods and 24 Goddesses. After going through, several lists of Nordic gods. There are alot more than 36! So, I beg the question, which 12 gods and 24 Goddesses was the story reffering to?


Heilsan RubyLight ok Allir,

The Prose Edda, composed by Snorri has many elements to it which are found no-where else in our ancestral traditions. The emphasis on numerical importance seems far more a product of classical thought, especially as it is expressed in the Prose Edda. This influence can be very clearly be seen in some of the later magical tomes penned by Icelanders. I very much doubt that Snorri actually had a specific 12 and 24 in mind, but if he did, it may have come from some source which is lost to us. At the end of the day, it is an exercise in futility to attempt such an analysis, albeit it might be an interesting exercise in and of itself, even if it is of no practical use, after all, one would have to do a great deal of research into all the gods and goddesses to attempt to work out if a specific 12/24 were being referred to, and if so, whom.

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The Heathen Troth of Asatru

 
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