Byggvir - God of Norse Mythology

A depiction of Byggvir, a Norse mythological figure and deity of barley.
© Copyright HistoryLists.org
Byggvir, the Norse mythological figure and deity of barley.

Byggvir (pronounced: "BYEG-veer") is a minor figure in Norse mythology, known as the god of barley and a servant of the god Freyr. Despite his status as a minor deity, Byggvir was revered by the Vikings for his association with beer, which was highly appreciated in Viking culture. He was typically worshiped alongside the two great Vanir fertility deities, Freyr and Freyja, in fertility rites held at the beginning of spring.

In Old Norse, "bygg" means barley, which is the cereal from which beer is made. Byggvir is believed to have governed the production of beer, although this is uncertain due to limited documentation about his role. Some scholars suggest that Byggvir was a personification of barley, while others interpret him as a demon or spirit associated with the crop.

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

ᛒᚢᚴᚴᚢᛁᛦ

The only known appearance of Byggvir in Norse mythology is in the Eddic poem Lokasenna, where he comes to the defense of Freyr after the god Loki insults him. Loki humiliates Byggvir by mocking his skills as a servant, including his ability to distribute goods among men and his role as a flour miller.

It is not clear whether Byggvir was a mortal, elf, spirit, or god, as he is not mentioned in many Norse texts. However, he is believed to have been a minor deity in Germanic Scandinavia with functions similar to a god of barley. Byggvir and his wife, Beyla , are both servants of Freyr and are mentioned in the Lokasenna as a married couple.

Christians in Scandinavia compared Byggvir to the Roman god Bacchus due to their association with alcoholic drinks and fertility rites. However, the Viking rituals associated with Byggvir were less exaggerated and had a more ritualistic character.

Overall, Byggvir is a minor but important figure in Norse mythology due to his association with beer and barley, which were essential components of Viking culture.


Please note that the information provided about Byggvir 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.