Forn Sed

In Norse mythology, Vár or Vór (Old Norse, meaning either “pledge” or “beloved”) is a goddess associated with oaths and agreements. Vár is attested in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources; the Prose Edda, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson; and kennings found in skaldic poetry and a runicinscription. Scholars have proposed theories about the implications of the goddess.

In the Poetic Edda poem Þrymskviða, the blessed of Vár is invoked by the jötunn Þrymr after his “bride” (who is actually the god Thor disguised as the goddess Freyja) is hallowedwith the stolen hammer of Thor, Mjöllnir, at their wedding:

Benjamin Thorpe translation:Then said Thrym,the Thursars’s lord:Bring the hammer in,the bride to consecrate;lay Miöllniron the maiden’s knee;unite us each with otherby the hand of Vör.^[3]Henry Adams Bellows translation:Then loud spake Thrym,the giants’ leader:”Bring in the hammerto hallow the bride;On the maiden’s kneeslet Mjollnir lie,That us both the handof Vor may bless.”^[4]

In the chapter 35 of the Prose Edda book Gylfaginning, High tells Gangleri (described as king Gylfi in disguise) about the ásynjur. High lists Vár ninth among the sixteen ásynjur he presents in the chapter and provides some information about her:

Ninth Var: she listens to people’s oaths and private agreements that women and men make between each other. Thus these contracts are called varar. She also punishes those who break them.