
Norse mythology
Gullveig
Catalyst of the First War and Mistress of Seidr
- Mythology
- Norse mythology
- Group
- Magic · Fate · Shapeshifter · Vanir · Death · Treachery
- Appears in
- The Aesir-Vanir War
- Places
- Vanaheim
Gullveig is the mysterious figure whose coming sparks the first war in the world. The Voluspa tells how the Aesir thrust her through with spears and burned her three times in Odin's hall, yet three times she is reborn, and they name her Heidr, a wandering seeress who works seidr and delights wicked women. Her name means roughly 'gold-drunkenness' or 'gold-power,' binding her to the corrupting lure of treasure. Many scholars read her as Freya in another guise; whatever she is, her killing ignites the war between the Aesir and the Vanir that reshapes the gods.
Related figures

Real episode from the app
The Aesir-Vanir War
Chapter 1
00:00--:--
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Gullveig?
- Gullveig is the mysterious figure whose coming sparks the first war in the world.
- Which mythology does Gullveig belong to?
- Gullveig belongs to Norse mythology.
- Which stories does Gullveig appear in?
- Gullveig appears in The Aesir-Vanir War, told as chaptered audio dramas in MythologyNow.
Cite this page
APA
MythologyNow. (2026). Gullveig. https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/gullveigMLA
"Gullveig." MythologyNow, 2026, https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/gullveig.Chicago
MythologyNow. "Gullveig." Accessed 2026. https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/gullveig.