Asatru facts for kids

Ásatrú followers in Iceland.

Asatru (pronounced Ah-sah-troo) is a religion that honors the ancient Germanic gods and spirits. It comes from Iceland, where it became an official religion in the 1970s. People in Iceland, like Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson, worked to make it official. They had been secretly honoring the old Nordic gods and goddesses for a long time.

The name "Asatru" comes from an old language called Old Norse. It means "faith in the Æsir." The Æsir are the gods from ancient Germanic beliefs.

Someone who practices Asatru is called an Asatrui. Sometimes, they are also called a heathen. Other names for Asatru include Wodanism or Germanic paganism. Important books that tell stories about this religion are the Sagas and the Eddas.

Gods and Goddesses

Asatru is a polytheistic religion. This means people worship many different goddesses and gods. Some of the most well-known gods and goddesses include Thor, Odin, Freyja, Frigg, Freyr, Tyr, Loki, and Heimdall. Each of these gods has their own stories and powers.

Festivals

Asatru followers celebrate major holidays that follow the changing seasons. The most important festival is Yule. It is celebrated in late December and lasts for twelve days.

Images for kids

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  A modern replica of a Viking Age pendant representing Mjölnir, the hammer of the god Thor; such pendants are often worn by Heathens.

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  Outdoor altar to mark Yule 2010, set up by the Swedish Forn Sed Assembly in Gothenburg, Västergötland.

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  Heathen ritual space marked out by an engraved wooden pillar, located on The Wrekin in Shropshire, England.

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  Heathen cemetery in Gufuneskirkjugarður, Reykjavík, which was established in 1999.

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  A 2011 Heathen blót in Humlamaden near Veberöd in Lund, Sweden.

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  A 2010 outdoor altar at the Springblót at Gamla Uppsala, Uppland, Sweden.

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  A Heathen altar for the Yule feast in Gothenburg, Sweden. The painted tablet at the back depicts Sunna, the two larger wooden idols Odin (left) and Frey (right). In front of them there are the three Norns, and in the front row a red Thor and other idols. In front of the cult images are two ritual hammers.

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  The Swedish Asatru Society holding a 2008 blót near to Österlen in Scania.

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  A 2010 Heathen rite at the Storbuckasten boulder in Sörby parish, Västergötland, Sweden.

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  Members of the Ásatrúarfélagið preparing for a Þingblót at Þingvellir, Iceland.

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  Altar for Haustblót in Bohus-Björkö, Västergötland, Sweden. The big wooden idol represents the god Frey, the smaller one next to it represents Freyja, the picture in front of it Sunna, and the small red idol Thor.

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  Guido von List, who promoted an early form of Heathenry.

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  Jakob Wilhelm Hauer, leader of the German Faith Movement in the 1930s.

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  Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson, leader of the Icelandic Ásatrúarfélagið, at a blót in 1991.

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  American Heathens Stephen McNallen (left) and Michael "Valgard" Murray (center), with Eric "Hnikar" Wood (right) at the 2000 Althing.

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  An Odinist wedding in Spain, 2010.

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  A Heathen baby naming ceremony in British Columbia, Canada in 2010.

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  A 2009 blót held by Heathens in Iceland.

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  A detail from Gotland runestone G 181, in the Swedish Museum of National Antiquities in Stockholm. The three figures are interpreted as Odin, Thor, and Freyr, deities which have seen their veneration revived among modern Heathens.