Introduction
Freyr is a god of the Vanir, associated with fertility, prosperity, sunshine, rain and abundant harvests, one of the most widely and popularly worshipped gods in the Norse world, particularly among farmers seeking a good growing season.
This article follows Old Norse mythological tradition, chiefly the Poetic Edda and Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, noting where the two sources differ.
Family
Courtship of Gerdr
Freyr fell in love, from a great distance, with the beautiful giantess Gerdr after seeing her from Odin's high seat, Hlidskjalf, and was consumed with longing. He sent his servant Skirnir to woo her on his behalf, giving him his own magical horse and self-fighting sword to complete the mission. Skirnir won Gerdr's consent only after a mixture of generous gifts and, ultimately, dire threats and curses, and Freyr gave up his sword permanently as payment for the successful match.
Possessions
Freyr owns the ship Skidbladnir, built by dwarves, which always finds a favourable wind and can be folded up small enough to fit in a pouch, and the golden boar Gullinbursti, which can run through air and water faster than any horse and glows in the dark.
Death at Ragnarok
Having given away his magic sword to win Gerdr, Freyr is left without his best weapon and is fated to be killed by the fire giant Surtr at Ragnarok, fighting with only an antler in the sword's place.