Anglo-Saxon vs. Norse Pagan Gods: Similarities, Differences, and Influences

The ancient Germanic pagan religions, through their various manifestations in Anglo-Saxon and Norse cultures, offer fascinating insights into the spiritual life of early medieval Europe. Despite the tantalizing similarities between the two belief systems, there are also significant differences that contributed to the unique cultural identity of each group.

Similarities and Shared Deities

The evidence for the similarity between the Anglo-Saxon and Norse pagan religions is compelling. Several deities share cognate names and encompass similar domains in the pantheons of both cultures. For instance, the god Woden (Anglo-Saxon) is equivalent to Odin (Norse) and Tyr (Norse) corresponds to Tiw (Anglo-Saxon). Other deities, such as Thor (Norse) and Thunor (Anglo-Saxon), share the same domain as the thunder god.

tWoden - Odin tTiw - Tyr tThor - Thunor tFrigg - Frigg tFreyr - Ing tEostre - Erce tHel - Helith tOdin's sons - Baldr - Baeldaeg tThe Norns - Modra - Jrd

However, not all deities share the same names across these cultures. Some deities have different names but similar functions, while others like Erce or Byggvir do not have clear parallels in the Norse pantheon. This highlights that while some deities are closely associated, there were also unique entities.

Physical Evidence and Cultural Practices

Beyond the written records, physical evidence such as carvings and artifacts provide further clues about the religious practices of the Anglo-Saxons and Norse. These carvings often depict deities and mythical creatures, but their meaning can be ambiguous. Rather than explaining the religious beliefs to those who are unfamiliar, they likely served as visual reminders to reinforce existing beliefs.

Differences and Emphases

While the deities may share names and domains, there were distinct emphases on different aspects of the divine. For example, the Anglo-Saxon worship of Eostre (spring fertility) and Frigga (fertility and marriage) differs from the Norse veneration of Odin (associated with wisdom and war). These differences suggest that the same deities were worshipped but with emphasis on different attributes depending on the cultural context.

Documentation and Historical Insight

The detailed texts about Germanic paganism that survive are primarily from Iceland, dating to after Christianity's adoption. However, the Norse pantheon is more extensively documented due to the arrival of Christianity in Scandinavia later than in the Anglo-Saxon regions. The works of the 12th-century Icelandic poet and historian, Snorri Sturluson, provide valuable insights into Norse mythology, even though he himself was a Christian. Unfortunately, no such comparable source exists for Anglo-Saxon paganism, limiting our understanding of their religious practices.

In summary, while Anglo-Saxon and Norse pagan gods share many common names and roles, there are also significant differences in emphasis and unique deities. The overlap and distinction between these two systems reveal the complexity of early medieval spiritual beliefs and cultural identities.