Asa gods and Vana gods — Two families of gods and their alliances

In Viking mythology, there were two major groups of gods: the Asa gods and the Vana gods. The Asa gods lived in Asgard and represented war, power, courage and glory – Odin, Thor and Týr were among the best known. The Vana gods, residing in Vanaheim, represented fertility, wealth, trade and the forces of nature – Frey and Freya were central here.

According to the myths, these two groups first went to war against each other, but after the fighting they came to an agreement and made peace through an alliance . As a sign of trust, gods were exchanged as hostages between the groups, symbolizing balance and cooperation between different forces . This story shows how the Vikings saw the world: both strength and fertility were needed for life to function.

The Vikings could also see parallels in everyday life: warriors and farmers, traders and fishermen, all needed to work together for society to flourish. Rituals and sacrifices could include offerings to both the Æsir and Vanir gods, to ensure success in war, harvest and trade.

Stories of the Asagudar and Vanagudar show how respect, balance and cooperation between different forces were central to Asatruism. It teaches us that both strength and peace are necessary for the world to function – a value that the Vikings held dear in both myth and everyday life.