Viking Myths:
Aegir and Ran

Viking myths mention a pair of gods who were lord and lady over the sea: Aegir and his wife Ran. Aegir was a sea god similar to Poseidon, both were known for being bad-tempered. Probably a reflection of the nature of the sea, which can turn ugly very quickly. Aegir was particularly bad being adverse to socializing with the other gods.

Aegir had nine daughters called the billow maidens. Their names are: Bara, Blodughadda, Bylgia, Dufa, Hefring, Himinglaeva, Hronn, Kolga, and Unn. Each represents a different type of wave. They always dressed in white with white veils.

Aegir's wife Ran is the archetype of the evil mermaid. She would cast her nets to catch the bodies of drowned men. She often lured ships to their destruction on rocky coasts. According to legend she was hideously ugly, and even more taciturn and unsocial than her husband.

Click here to compare Aegir of the Viking myths to Poseidon.