Geri and Freki existed before life was granted to men and before Odin’s two ravens. Odin made the fabled female and male wolves to accompany him in the Viking pantheon and guard the realm of Midgard. Together with Odin, these two wolves explored the world and became its inhabitants.

Odin, when in Valhalla imbibing, is said to feed his wolves Geri and Freki. To not be confused as Skoll and Hati, who are also Loki’s bloodline descendants from the fearsome Fenris wolf.

Geri and Freki, the two wolves, played a crucial part in the development of early humans. According to myth, two wolves played the role of foster parents and educators to the first humans. Odin instructed his new creations to emulate Geri and Freki by emulating their bravery, love, wisdom, and concern for their family and friends. Since then, wolf worship has become common among certain Viking communities.

The names Geri & Freki both have negative connotations in modern English; they are both found in old Norse and mean “voracious” or “greedy” or “aggressive” in their original contexts. This creature, said to live in the Valhöll with its master, is symbolic of the god of death and war because of its reputation for devouring battlefield dead. The Vikings prominently featured the insignia of Geri and Freki.

Odin’s wolves were more than just his “domestic pets” in Norse & Germanic mythology; they were also exceedingly courageous and devoted warriors that fought with their divine master in battle, destroying their foes with their strong teeth and claws before feasting on their flesh. According to Norse legend, Odin and his two ravens, Hugin & Munin, provided nourishment for Geri and Freki because the two never went hunting.