Nerthus
Also called Hertha.
Nerthus is the early Germanic earth goddess of Tacitus's report, whose cow-drawn cart brought a sacred peace — and whose washing drowned the slaves who served her.
At a glance
- Tradition
- Germanic folklore
- Region
- Nordic Regions (place of origin)
- Trait family
- The Firebirds
Near this figure
Traits
Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.
Omens
- Harbinger of peace and prosperity
why
While the goddess traveled, the tribes did not go to war and did not take up arms; every weapon was hidden, and — in the phrase that has made the passage famous — peace and quiet were then alone known and then alone loved, until the priest returned her, sated with human company, to her precinct.
Roles
Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.
- Circle carries
3 citations
- John Lindow, Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs, s.v. "Nerthus."
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Nerthus."
- Patricia Monaghan, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore, p. 355.
- Earth carries both readings
3 citations
- John Lindow, Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs, s.v. "Nerthus."
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Nerthus."
- Patricia Monaghan, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore, p. 355.
- Water meets
3 citations
- John Lindow, Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs, s.v. "Nerthus."
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Nerthus."
- Patricia Monaghan, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore, p. 355.