Giantess whom Freyr fell in love with. Central figure in Skirnismal.
Gerd (Old Norse Gerðr) is the daughter of the giant Gymir. Freyr saw her from Hlidskjalf, Odin's high seat, and was seized by a longing so fierce he could neither eat nor sleep. He sent his servant Skirnir to woo her on his behalf.
In Skirnismal Skirnir first tries to entice Gerd with gifts: eleven golden apples and the ring Draupnir. She refuses everything. Only when Skirnir threatens her with rune magic and a curse of eternal old age does she consent to meet Freyr in the grove Barri after nine nights. The poem has been interpreted as a fertility myth but also as a narrative about coercion.
Sources in the Eddas
- Skírnismál 1-42
- The entirety of Skirnismal revolves around Freyr's courtship of Gerd through Skirnir's journey and her eventual consent.
- Gylfaginning 37
- Snorri summarizes Freyr's love for Gerd and explains why he lacks his sword at Ragnarok.
Interpretive traditions
A What we know
Gerd is the giantess whom Freyr courts through Skirnir, attested in Skirnismal and Gylfaginning.
B What we think we know
Whether Skirnismal represents a hieros gamos ritual or a literary drama is debated among scholars.