Skaði - Goddess of Norse Mythology

Portrait of Skaði, a Norse goddess associated with winter, hunting, skiing, and mountains.
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This portrait depicts Skaði, a goddess from Norse mythology associated with winter, hunting, skiing, and mountains.

Skaði (pronounced: "SKAH-thee") also known as Skade, is a goddess in Norse mythology who was associated with hunting and winter.

The name "Skaði" in Old Norse runes is written as:

ᛋᚴᚨᚦᛁ

She was the daughter of the giant Þjazi, who was killed by the Æsir. Seeking revenge, Skaði went to Asgard and demanded that her father's death be atoned for.

The gods attempted to appease her rage by offering various forms of compensation. Among these offerings, Odin suggested that her father's eyes could be thrown up into the sky like stars. In addition, the gods promised her marriage to one of the Æsir, on the condition that she choose her husband solely based on his feet. Despite expecting to choose Baldr, the god of light and beauty, Skaði ultimately chose Njörðr, the god of the sea. However, their marriage was fraught with difficulties, as Skaði preferred the mountains while Njörðr was drawn to the sea. Despite their attempts to reconcile, the couple eventually decided to spend time apart and take turns living in each other's domain. However, even this arrangement proved to be unsuccessful as well.

Skaði later fastened a poisonous snake over Loki's head, as he had insulted her in vile diatribes. Some mythologists believe that in early Norse mythology, Skaði was revered as a goddess of the hunt and was a rival to the goddesses Frigg and Freyja in terms of importance and popularity. However, her importance diminished over time, and little remained of her in the popular tradition.

The name Skaði may be at the origin of the name Scandinavia, as it could mean "island of Skadi" or "territory protected by Skadi." It is also interesting to note that the name of Skaði appears in the oldest places in Scandinavia.

It's worth noting that, despite being the daughter of a giant and a jotunn herself, Skaði is traditionally regarded as one of the Æsir, the Norse gods, and is often included in lists of Ásynjur, the goddesses of the Norse pantheon. This association is not only due to her marriage to Njörðr, but also because of the use of kenningars, or poetic descriptions, that depict her as a goddess. Similarly, the trickster god Loki is also sometimes counted among the Æsir despite his jotunn origins.


Please note that the information provided about Skaði and Norse mythology is complex and may be subject to interpretation and debate. The myths and stories of Norse mythology have evolved and been passed down through oral tradition and written accounts, and there may be variations in the way they are told and understood. This information should be used as a general reference and not as a definitive source on the subject.


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Other Norse Gods and Goddesses


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