Nanna represents love and devotion. Although not as well-known as other characters, her story is an integral part of Norse beliefs and can offer insight into the values and emotions of the gods in that mythology.
| Parents | Not well-documented in primary sources |
| Partners | Baldr |
| Siblings | Not mentioned |
| Children | Forseti |
| Species | Aesir |
| Realm | Asgard |
| Nicknames | None documented |
Who is Nanna?
Nanna is associated with love and devotion. She is married to Baldr, the god of light, joy, and purity. Their relationship is celebrated as one of the most significant bonds among the deities. Unlike other divine figures, Nanna is not known for her power or battle skills but for her emotional depth and the purity of her love. Her story revolves around how she deals with Baldr’s tragic death, which showcases her immense emotional strength and loyalty.
Mythological Context and Family
Nanna occupies a humble yet significant role in the Norse pantheon. She is most famously known as the wife of Baldr, the god venerated for his purity and radiance. Their marriage is an alliance of two deities and a union of love and heavenly brilliance. They raise Forseti, the god of justice and reconciliation, together, further solidifying their heritage in the divine lineage.
The Death of Baldr and Nanna’s Grief
The story of Baldr’s demise, caused by Loki’s cunning use of mistletoe, is a significant event in Norse mythology. Nanna’s response to this tragedy, which was to suffer from profound grief and ultimately die, underscores her deep love for Baldr. According to sources, it is believed that she either died from her sorrow or chose to follow Baldr to Hel, the land of the dead, highlighting her unwavering loyalty even after death.
Nanna’s Afterlife and Reunion with Baldr
The stories of Nanna and Baldr continue in the shadowy realms of Hel. According to ancient texts, they are prophesied to return after Ragnarok, representing the power of love and renewal. This element of their tale offers hope in the face of the catastrophic end predicted in Norse eschatology.
Sources and Representations
The goddess Nanna is mentioned in various primary sources, such as the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda. However, these sources only provide a fragmented and incomplete view of her character. Despite this, Nanna remains popular in modern media and literature, where her story is often revisited with creative liberties. This underscores her lasting appeal and symbolic significance.
Poetic Edda
In the Poetic Edda, several poems describe Baldr’s death and funeral, such as “Baldrs draumar.” These poems do not explicitly state how Nanna, Baldr’s wife, expresses her grief. Instead, the focus is on the events leading up to Baldr’s death and how the other gods react. However, it is clear from the texts that Nanna experiences profound grief after these events, which is universally acknowledged.
To find a direct quote that captures the essence of Nanna’s story and her relationship with Baldr, we can turn to Snorri Sturluson’s Prose Edda. The Gylfaginning section describes the aftermath of Baldr’s death and Nanna’s fate. Here, Nanna’s reaction to Baldr’s death is more explicitly stated.
“And when Nanna, the wife of Baldr, saw this, she died of grief, and her body was burned on the same pyre as Baldr’s.”
This excerpt from the Prose Edda aptly portrays the extent of Nanna’s love and loyalty towards Baldr, emphasizing her inability to persist in life after his demise. It is a direct representation of the themes of love and loss that are central to Nanna’s story in Norse mythology.
Prose Edda:
Nanna is mentioned in the Prose Edda mainly about the death of her husband, Baldr, and the events that unfold after that. Snorri tells a story that conveys the tragedy of Baldr’s demise, Loki’s betrayal, and the significant impact these events have on Nanna.
The most direct reference to Nanna in the Prose Edda comes from the account of Baldr’s funeral. Snorri writes,
“Nanna, Baldr’s wife, when she saw the dead body of her husband, could not, from grief, support herself, and fell dead upon him. She was burnt with him on the same funeral pile” (Gylfaginning).
This passage portrays Nanna’s profound love and grief, leading to her untimely death.
Scholars have interpreted Nanna’s death differently. Some have seen it as a representation of the Norse ideas of love, sorrow, and the afterlife. Nanna’s simultaneous cremation with Baldr during his funeral pyre is considered a symbol of their eternal love and a reflection of the Norse beliefs and customs related to the journey to the afterlife.
Conclusion
The story of Nanna, found in the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, provides insight into the beliefs and emotions of Norse mythology. The story focuses on love, devotion, and the impact of loss. Despite being short, Nanna’s story is a powerful reminder of the depth of emotional connections within Norse mythology. Her legacy continues to inspire both scholarly interest and creative exploration to this day.
