Jörd (Fjörgyn)

Goddess of the earth. Jörd (Jord or Iord) was a personification of Earth. Jörd was also called Fjörgyn (Fjorgyn), Hlódyn (Hlodyn) or Erda. Jörd was identified with the Germanic earth goddess Hertha, also known as Nerthus.

Jörd was the daughter of Annar (Onar) and a giantess named Nott (“Night”). It is very likely that Jörd might be a giantess.

Erda (Fjorgyn or Jord)
Arthur Rackham
Illustration, 1912

Jörd was probably Odin’s first wife, since their son Thor was the eldest son of Odin. Jörd was probably also the mother of Meili, since Meili was called the brother of Thor. Snorri, the Icelandic poet, kept calling Jörd – Svolnir’s widow. Apparently, Svolnir was Odin’s name. Snorri offered no other detail.

There is some confusion that she might be the mother of the goddess Frigg, because her name Fjörgyn was confused with Fjorgvin. Fjorgvin was Frigg’s father.