Syn - Goddess of Norse Mythology

Close-up digital artwork of the face of Syn, the Norse goddess associated with vigilance, guardianship, and defense in assemblies and legal proceedings.
© Copyright HistoryLists.org
Digital artwork depicting the face of Syn, the Norse goddess of vigilance and defense, known for guarding the threshold and defending against false accusations in assemblies and courts

Syn (pronounced: "sin") is a goddess in Norse mythology who is associated with vigilance, truth, and law enforcement. She is the guardian of the threshold and the defender of the doors, preventing access to those who do not belong there. Syn is also known as the goddess of defensive denial, and her name is linked to the concept of "rejection."

The etymology of Syn's name comes from the Old Norse word "syn," which means "denial." This implies that the goddess is associated with the act of denying or rejecting false accusations or those who should not enter certain places.

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

ᛋᚢᚾ

In the Prose Edda, written by Snorri Sturluson in the 13th century, Syn is mentioned in chapter 35 of Gylfaginning as the eleventh among the sixteen earth goddesses. According to Snorri, Syn guards the door of the house and prevents those who must not enter from gaining access. In addition, Syn takes care of the defense against the accusations that she wants to reject as false.

Syn is believed to have been invoked by defendants in court as a servant of Frigg, the queen of the gods. She is the protector of the innocent and the truth-teller, making her a significant figure in Norse legal proceedings.

Syn's name is also mentioned in kennings used in Skaldic poetry, which was composed by Scandinavian poets in the Viking Age. One of the kennings, "mjústallur mens mildr Synjar," refers to Syn's gentle voice, while another, "salvanið Synjar," suggests that Syn is of the giant family, like many Æsir and Asynjar.

Some scholars have suggested that Syn may have been a collective deity worshipped by Germanic tribes before becoming an individual goddess in Norse mythology. She may have been related to the Matronae, a group of female deities worshipped by the Germanic people.

In conclusion, Syn is a goddess in Norse mythology who is associated with truth, vigilance, and law enforcement. She is the guardian of the threshold, the defender of doors, and the protector of the innocent. Her name is linked to the concept of rejection and denial, and she was a significant figure in Norse legal proceedings.


Please note that the information provided about Syn 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.


If you notice an error on this web page, please email us at contact@historylists.org and let us know about it. Please be sure to include a brief description of the mistake you have noticed, along with the location of the mistake on the web page (e.g., the specific section or paragraph where it appears). We appreciate your help in keeping our website accurate and will use the information you provide to make necessary updates as soon as possible. Thank you for your assistance!


Other Norse Gods and Goddesses


We use cookies to personalize content and ads and to analyze traffic on our website. By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Please review our Privacy Policy for more information.
We believe in using minimal design elements to minimize our impact on the environment.  Copyright © 2012- - historylists.org. For more information, see our About Us page or view our Sitemap.