Nehalennia

The Oera Linda Book Reviewed

Hilda Ellis Davidson, a renowned scholar of Germanic mythology, explores the connections between the goddess Nehalennia and other deities such as Freyr, Freyja, and Nerthus, highlighting shared attributes and symbols.

Nehalennia's Depictions and Attributes:

Maritime Symbols: Nehalennia is frequently depicted with maritime elements, notably ships, underscoring her association with sea travel and protection of sailors.

Freyr and Freyja: Davidson notes that the ship motif associated with Nehalennia parallels symbols linked to the Vanir deities Freyr and Freyja, who are also connected to fertility and prosperity.

Nerthus: The ship imagery and fertility aspects of Nehalennia draw comparisons to Nerthus, an earth goddess described by Tacitus as being associated with fertility rites and processions.

The Matres: Nehalennia shares attributes with the Matres (or Matronae), mother goddesses venerated in Northwestern Europe, often depicted with symbols of fertility and domesticity.

Davidson's analysis suggests that Nehalennia embodies characteristics of a protective mother goddess, overseeing both maritime endeavors and fertility.

By associating Nehalennia with deities like Freyr, Freyja, and Nerthus, Davidson highlights the interconnectedness of Germanic and Celtic religious practices, where deities often share overlapping domains and symbols.

This name appears to correspond to Nehalennia, a goddess venerated in the coastal regions of the Netherlands and Belgium during the Roman era.

Nehalennia's Attributes:

Protective Roles: Both goddesses served as protectors—Minerva in warfare and wisdom, Nehalennia in maritime activities.Regional Worship: Minerva was widely worshipped across the Roman Empire, while Nehalennia's veneration was localized to the North Sea coast.