Freya

Freya the goddess of the moon and love in the Scandinavian mythology, was the daughter of Niord and sister of Freyr, and is regarded by some as originally the same with Frigga (q.v.), to whom, among the goddesses, she ranks next in power and honor. She is described as beautiful, virtuous, and gentle, and ever ready to hear the prayers of men; as fond of music, flowers, fairies, and the spring, and the source of inspiration of the love- songs of the scalds. In the myths, which represent her, like His, as seeking her absent spouse (Odin), and as ranking next to Frigga, the earth-goddess, we may have symbolized the relation of the moon to the earth and the sun, and find an explication of those resemblances which have led to the confounding her with Frigga. "She is always described as attended by two of her maids" (see pl. 13, figure 4, Mythology and Religious Rites, in Icon. Encyclop.). The name of Friday, the sixth day of the week, is derived from her. — Iconographic Encyclopedia, 4:279-80 (N.Y. 1851); Thorpe, Northern Mythology. (J.W.M.)