Gna
Listed by Snorri as one of the twelve major goddesses but in extant myth she appears
only to as a handmaiden of Frigg who sends her on errands. She has a swift
horse named Hoof-flourisher which can run in the air and over water.
The goddess Gna held an important position as an emissary
to the goddess Frigg. She traveled great distances to deliver her messages and
is said to have soared through the sky swiftly and rapidly back and fourth on
errands.
Gna would ride over land and sea on her steed named Hofvarpnir
or Hoof Thrower. Gna was also obligated to report all the things she knew and
saw during her voyages to Frigg.
Frigg once sent Gna to deliver a golden apple to King
Rerir in Hunaland after Gna reported that she noticed the king lamenting on his
wife's inability to bear a child. Gna is said to have tossed this apple from the
sky so that it landed on the king's lap. He gave the piece of fruit to his wife;
she ate it and then became fertile.
Gna is said to have competed with Iris in speed. Very
little information about this rivalry has been recorded in the Eddas.
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