Baldr's wife. Died of grief on his funeral pyre.
Nanna (Old Norse Nanna) is an Asynja and Baldr's wife. Her most prominent role in the surviving sources revolves around Baldr's death and funeral. According to Gylfaginning 49, Nanna's heart burst from grief at the sight of Baldr's funeral pyre, and she was laid beside her husband on the ship Ringhorni before it was set ablaze. Together they descended to Hel's realm.
From Hel Nanna sent gifts back to the living, including a linen cloth to Frigg and a finger-ring to Fulla (Gylfaginning 49). Snorri states that she is the daughter of Nep, but nothing further is known about this figure. Nanna does not appear in Lokasenna. Her name has been connected to the Old Norse word nanna ('brave woman'), but the etymology is uncertain.
Sources in the Eddas
- Gylfaginning 49
- Nanna's heart burst from grief at Baldr's pyre; she was placed on the ship Ringhorni and followed him to Hel.
Interpretive traditions
A What we know
Nanna is Baldr's wife and died of grief on his funeral pyre (Gylfaginning 49).
She sent gifts from Hel to Frigg and Fulla.
B What we think we know
Saxo Grammaticus presents Nanna differently: as surviving Baldr's (Balderus) death, which complicates the source picture.
C What we do not know
Nanna's own mythological background, beyond her role as Baldr's wife, is unknown.