Gersemi (Old Norse "treasure") is the daughter of the fertility-goddess Freyja in Norse mythology.[1] She could be the same figure as Hnoss, another daughter of Freyja.[2]
Name[edit]
The Old Norse name Gersemi means 'treasure', something which is considered precious or valuable.[1][3] It is most likely a derivative of the unattested Old Norse noun *gersamr, compared with the Icelandic gersemi or the Old Swedish gärsimi ('treasure'), and with the Danish gjørsum (a special fine imposed on a manslaughterer).[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Orchard 1997, p. 54.
- ^ Orchard 1997, p. 67.
- ^ a b de Vries 1962, pp. 164–165.
Bibliography[edit]
- de Vries, Jan (1962). Altnordisches Etymologisches Worterbuch (1977 ed.). Brill. ISBN 978-90-04-05436-3.
- Orchard, Andy (1997). Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend. Cassell. ISBN 978-0-304-34520-5.