Goddess of healing among the Asynjur.
Eir (Old Norse Eir) is an Asynja associated with medicine and healing. Snorri mentions her in Gylfaginning 35 as 'best in healing' (laeknir beztr) among the Asynjur. The name Eir means 'mercy' or 'help' and also appears as a valkyrie name in Nafnaþulur.
In Svipdagsmál (Fjölsvinnsmál 38) an Eir is named among the women who sit at Menglod's knees, and they are described as helpers to those who sacrifice. Whether this is the same figure as Snorri's Asynja or a different character with the same name is uncertain. Eir's role as goddess of healing is clear but briefly attested.
Sources in the Eddas
- Gylfaginning 35
- Snorri names Eir as the best healer among the Asynjur.
Interpretive traditions
A What we know
Eir is the goddess of healing, attested in Gylfaginning 35.
B What we think we know
Whether Eir in Fjölsvinnsmál and Snorri's Asynja Eir are the same figure is uncertain.
C What we do not know
Eir's cultic role and possible connection to actual healing practices are undocumented.