Odin is the chief of the Aesir and the most complex figure in Norse mythology. He sacrificed one eye at Mimir's well for wisdom and hung himself from Yggdrasil for nine nights to gain knowledge of the runes. As the god of war, he chooses which warriors die in battle and welcomes half of them to Valhalla, his great hall in Asgard.

Odin is accompanied by two wolves, Geri and Freki, and two ravens, Huginn (Thought) and Muninn (Memory), who fly across the world and bring him news. He rides the eight-legged horse Sleipnir and wields the spear Gungnir, which never misses its target.

Thor is the most popular of the Norse gods among common people, known for his immense strength and his mighty hammer Mjolnir. As the protector of both gods and humans, he constantly battles the giants (Jotnar) who threaten the cosmic order. Thor is the son of Odin and the earth goddess Jorth.

Thor's hammer Mjolnir is his most famous attribute—forged by dwarves, it always returns to his hand when thrown and can level mountains. He also possesses a belt of strength (Megingjord) that doubles his power and iron gloves (Jarngreipr) to wield his hammer. Thor rides a chariot pulled by two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjostr.

Baldur is the beloved son of Odin and Frigg, described as the most beautiful and gracious of the gods. His death is one of the central tragedies of Norse mythology—killed by a mistletoe dart guided by the blind god Hodr, tricked by Loki. Baldur's death signals the beginning of the end, leading inevitably to Ragnarok.

After his death, Baldur resides in Hel, the realm of the dead. Prophecy states that he will return after Ragnarok to rule the renewed world. His hall is Breidablik, said to be the most beautiful of all the gods' dwellings.

Tyr is the god of war and justice, known for his courage and sense of honor. He is most famous for sacrificing his right hand to bind the great wolf Fenrir. When the gods attempted to chain Fenrir with the magical ribbon Gleipnir, only Tyr was brave enough to place his hand in the wolf's mouth as a pledge of good faith. When Fenrir realized he could not break free, he bit off Tyr's hand.

Tyr was once considered the chief of the gods before Odin rose to prominence. His name is etymologically related to Zeus and Jupiter, suggesting he may have been the original Indo-European sky god. Tuesday is named after him (Tiw's day).

Heimdall is the watchman of the gods, stationed at the Bifrost—the rainbow bridge connecting Asgard to Midgard. He possesses extraordinary senses: he can hear grass growing and wool growing on sheep, and he needs less sleep than a bird. He owns the horn Gjallarhorn, which he will blow to signal the beginning of Ragnarok.

Heimdall is said to be the son of nine mothers, possibly representing nine waves. He is the father of the three classes of human society (thralls, freemen, and nobles) through his journeys to Midgard. At Ragnarok, Heimdall and Loki are destined to kill each other.

Bragi is the god of poetry and skaldic art, known for his wisdom and eloquence. He is the son of Odin and the husband of Idun, the goddess who guards the golden apples of youth. Bragi welcomes fallen heroes to Valhalla with poetry and song, and he is the patron of skalds (Norse poets).

In Norse culture, poetry was highly valued, and Bragi's role reflects the importance of oral tradition in preserving history, law, and mythology. His name is etymologically related to the Old Norse word "bragr," meaning poetry or the best of something.

Hodr is the blind god of darkness, brother of Baldur. He is most known for being tricked by Loki into killing Baldur with a mistletoe dart—the one substance that could harm the otherwise invulnerable god. This act sets in motion the events leading to Ragnarok.

Despite his role in Baldur's death, Hodr is not portrayed as evil but rather as a pawn in Loki's schemes. Prophecy states that after Ragnarok, Hodr and Baldur will be reconciled and return together to rule the renewed world.

Vidar is the silent god of vengeance, son of Odin and the giantess Grid. He is destined to avenge his father's death at Ragnarok by killing the great wolf Fenrir. Vidar will step on Fenrir's lower jaw with his specially crafted shoe—made from all the leather scraps humans have discarded throughout history—and tear the wolf apart.

Vidar is described as nearly as strong as Thor and is one of the few gods who will survive Ragnarok. Along with his brother Vali, he will inherit Odin's legacy in the renewed world.

Freya is the most prominent goddess in Norse mythology, a complex figure associated with love, beauty, fertility, war, death, and magic (seidr). She is the leader of the Vanir and the sister of Freyr. Freya receives half of the warriors who die in battle in her hall Folkvangr, while Odin receives the other half in Valhalla.

Freya rides a chariot pulled by two cats and owns a cloak of falcon feathers that allows her to fly between worlds. She weeps tears of gold when searching for her missing husband Odr. Freya taught the art of seidr (Norse magic) to Odin and the Aesir.

Freyr is the god of fertility, peace, and prosperity, brother of Freya and son of Njord. He is one of the most widely worshipped gods in Scandinavia, particularly associated with good harvests, sunshine, and rain. Freyr rules over Alfheim, the realm of the light elves.

Freyr owns the magical ship Skidbladnir, which can be folded and carried in a pouch, and the golden boar Gullinbursti, which can run through air and water faster than any horse. He gave away his magical sword (which fights on its own) to win the hand of the giantess Gerd, and will be killed at Ragnarok because he lacks his sword.

Njord is the god of the sea, seafaring, wind, and wealth. He is the father of Freya and Freyr and was sent from Vanaheim to Asgard as a hostage after the Aesir-Vanir war. Njord is particularly important to sailors, fishermen, and those who depend on the sea for their livelihood.

Njord was married to the giantess Skadi, but their marriage was unhappy because she loved the mountains and he loved the sea. They agreed to spend nine nights in each other's preferred locations, but ultimately separated. Njord is one of the few gods who will survive Ragnarok and return to the Vanir.

Idun is the goddess of youth and the keeper of the golden apples that keep the gods young. Without her apples, the gods would age and weaken. She is the wife of Bragi, the god of poetry.

In one famous myth, Loki tricks Idun into leaving Asgard with her apples, and the giant Thjazi kidnaps her. The gods begin to age rapidly and force Loki to rescue her. Loki transforms into a falcon, carries Idun (transformed into a nut) back to Asgard, and the gods kill Thjazi.

Loki is the most complex and controversial figure in Norse mythology. A giant by birth but blood-brother to Odin, Loki is neither fully god nor fully giant. He is a shape-shifter, a trickster, and an agent of chaos who both helps and harms the gods. Loki is the father of several monstrous children: the wolf Fenrir, the serpent Jormungandr, and Hel, ruler of the dead.

Loki's actions are pivotal in Norse mythology: he engineers the death of Baldur, which leads to his own binding and ultimately to Ragnarok. At Ragnarok, Loki will lead the forces of chaos against the gods and face Heimdall in mutual destruction. Despite his destructive nature, Loki also provides the gods with many of their most valuable treasures through his cunning.

Frigg is the wife of Odin and queen of Asgard, goddess of marriage, motherhood, and prophecy. She is the only one besides Odin permitted to sit on Hlidskjalf, the high seat from which one can see all nine realms. Frigg knows the fate of all beings but never speaks of it.

When Baldur began having nightmares about his death, Frigg traveled through all nine realms and extracted oaths from every substance not to harm him—except mistletoe, which she deemed too young and harmless to demand an oath from. This oversight allowed Loki to engineer Baldur's death.

Hel is the goddess who rules over Helheim, the realm of the dead. She is the daughter of Loki and the giantess Angrboda, sister of Fenrir and Jormungandr. Hel is described as half alive and half dead—her body is half beautiful woman and half rotting corpse.

Odin appointed Hel as ruler of the dead, and she receives those who die of old age, illness, or other non-violent causes. Those who die in battle go to Valhalla or Folkvangr. Hel is generally portrayed as cold and indifferent rather than evil. After Ragnarok, she will continue to rule over the dead in the renewed world.

Forseti is the god of justice and reconciliation, son of Baldur and Nanna. He presides over a court in Asgard called Glitnir, where all disputes are settled. Forseti is known for his wisdom and fairness, and no one leaves his court without a just resolution.

Forseti was particularly important in Frisian law and culture, where he was considered the founder of their legal system. His name means "presiding one" or "chairman," reflecting his role as the divine judge of the Norse pantheon.