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The Brooklyn Museum

Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art
The Dinner Party: Heritage Floor: Freya




signature image

Judy Chicago (American, b. 1939). The Dinner Party (Heritage Floor; detail), 1974–79. Porcelain with rainbow and gold luster, 48 x 48 x 48 ft. (14.6 x 14.6 x 14.6 m). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10. © Judy Chicago. Photograph by Jook Leung Photography

Freya
Mythic, worshipped in Germany and northern Europe, exact dates uncertain

Freya, meaning "female ruler," comes to us from Norse mythology as a goddess of fertility, love, sex, war, and prophecies. Considered very beautiful, she was known to have an affinity for jewelry—naming her daughter Hnoss, "jewel"—and one of her most well-known legends recounts her efforts to obtain a famous necklace. Freya was also a battle goddess, often associated with the boar, an aggressive creature, and said to ride into battle on a chariot drawn by two giant cats.

Related Place Setting

Fertile Goddess

Related Heritage Floor Entries

Bona Dea
Brigid
Cardea
Danu
Frija
Hera

Juno
Macha
Madderakka
Nerthus
Ninti
Tellus Mater

Last updated January 28, 2007.
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