Geri and Freki

Geri and Freki are two mythical wolves in Norse mythology who are closely associated with Odin (Old Norse, Óðinn), the chief of the Æsir gods. When he sits by his table, he gives away all his food to the two wolves. Because he himself requires no food. Wine is the only thing Odin consumes. To him, that is both his food and drink.

Geri and Freki may not be frequently mentioned in the surviving literary sources on Norse mythology. Only are they briefly mentioned in association with the god Odin. Their names seem to have been well known in the Nordic culture during the Viking age. Skaldic poets used their names as kennings when composing poetry. If they wanted to use a different word “wolf” they could use the names of either Geri and Freki interchangeably and people could grasp the meaning.

The wolves are not Odin‘s sole animal companions; he is also accompanied by the raven pair Huginn and Muninn, and rides the eight-legged horse Sleipnir.