Freyr, also known in Old English as Ing, is revered as a powerful and benevolent deity associated with fertility, prosperity, and peace. He is a member of the race of Elder Gods, that predate the rise of the Old Norse and Anglo-Saxon pantheon fronted by Oðinn/Woden. These older gods may have developed organically out of the ancestral spirits of the place where they were honored as the first tribal deities.
Ing’s role as a fertility god is central to his character. The wild boar is his sacred animal. He is often depicted as a bringer of good harvests, ensuring the well-being and prosperity of both land and people. His presence is linked to the cycles of nature and the bountiful harvests that result from his blessings. This makes him a vital deity for agricultural societies that rely on the fertility of the land for their survival.
Ing is also described as a king of the elves. This association ties him to the world of the light elves, depicted as benevolent and luminous beings dwelling in Elfhame, one of the Worlds known to the Iron Age English. As their king, Ing is seen as a ruler of this ethereal realm, embodying light, purity, and benevolence.
In Old English tradition, Ing is sometimes referred to as Ing, a name that emphasizes his role as a central figure in the pantheon and a deity of great importance. The name “Ing” is believed to be related to the concept of fertility and prosperity, reinforcing his significance in the life-giving aspects of nature.
Ing’s association with peace and prosperity also highlights his role in fostering harmony and well-being among gods and humans. His influence extends beyond mere fertility to encompass a broader sense of balance and prosperity that benefits all realms.
Who are these Elves of which Ing is King?
These are your grandmother’s elves (Old English ælf, Old Norse álfr). To the Iron Age people, diverse and fantastic creatures inhabited the world(s) around them. These genus loci were not of one species. It was with the rise of Christianity they became grouped as demons. Now, folks often discuss elves as a synonymous term for fairies. They suffered the same diminution in size over the centuries, eventually taking on the starring role as Santa’s helpers.
Freyr/Ing’s legacy as king of the elves and a deity of great importance underscores, on the one hand, the deep connection between the divine and the natural. On the other, his character and the nature of his worship reflect a broader and more flexible understanding of gender and sexuality.
Ing is traditionally celebrated as a god of fertility, prosperity, and peace, strongly associated with nature and agriculture. His domain over these aspects of life underscores his significance as a deity who ensures the well-being and prosperity of the land and its people. As a member of the Elder Gods, he is depicted with attributes that symbolize abundance and the nurturing aspects of nature.
From what we can glean from nearest contemporary sources, the ælf were an all-male race of developed spiritual beings close to or akin to demi-gods. It may be that they were indeed the Elder Gods that Snorri Sturluson called the “Venir” in his transcription of the Norse sagas. Elves may have been exclusively male but were also portrayed with descriptors more associated with female beauty. Think beautiful and ephemeral, vs. handsome and rugged. Written materials of the period and after often place these fabulous creatures in a pairing with sword-bearing female warriors, creating a linguistic dyad of gender-inversion.
Before the Christianization of the North, the people seem to have held a flexible view of gender and sexuality. Gods and goddesses in these myths can change forms, display gender fluidity, and engage in relationships that defy conventional norms. While primarily portrayed as a masculine deity, Ing himself is part of a mythological system that embraces fluidity in these aspects. His associations with fertility and beauty and his presence in stories involving gods and humans reflect a broader acceptance of diverse expressions of identity.
Witnesses often depicted rituals and festivals associated with Ing, such as those celebrating the harvest or seasonal changes, as rituals involving cross-dressing priests. While explicit references to queer practices or beliefs in Freyr/Ing’s worship are sparse, there are indications from archaeological and literary sources that suggest a more nuanced understanding of gender and sexuality. Artifacts and historical texts sometimes hint at the acceptance of non-normative relationships and roles, which can reflect the broader social acceptance that might have extended to the worship of deities like him.
In contemporary discussions, Freyr/Ing’s worship has been re-evaluated through modern lenses, including queer theory. Modern Heathen and Norse pagan communities often embrace interpretations of these ancient deities that align with contemporary values of gender inclusivity and sexual diversity. Freyr/Ing’s role as a deity connected to fertility and abundance can be seen as a symbol of nurturing and inclusive energies, resonating with modern interpretations of fluidity and acceptance of gender and sexuality fluidity.
This is not a modern reinterpretation, nor is it a story edited to suit our contemporary need for mythos of our own. As the quote goes, “That is not dead, which can eternal lie.” In a trans-historical sense, these Elder Gods, our ancestors referred to as “elves,” were queer from the start.
These are your great-great-great-granddad’s Elves! A race of fantastic, beautiful, queer spirits of the forest (and lakes, mountains, hills, barrows, and more).
