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Nerthus, a MythSource painting
Norse

Nerthus

Terra Mater · Mother Earth · Earth Mother

01Identity

Nerthus in Norse tradition

Nerthus travelled among her followers in a covered wagon drawn by cows, while people celebrated and warfare ceased. She is a Germanic goddess associated with the earth, fertility, peace and prosperity. After the procession, the wagon, garments and goddess were washed in a sacred lake. Unlike her Roman counterpart Tellus Mater, Nerthus is distinguished here by her guarded island shrine and public wagon procession.

Top questions

The quick answers

  • Who is Nerthus?

    Nerthus is a Norse deity associated with the earth and land; fertility and agricultural abundance; peace and social concord; and prosperity and seasonal renewal.
    Source

    Source

    • Dictionary of northern mythology
    • Gods and Myths of Northern Europe

  • What is Nerthus the goddess of?

    Nerthus is associated with the earth and land; fertility and agricultural abundance; peace and social concord; and prosperity and seasonal renewal.
    Source

    Source

    • Dictionary of northern mythology
    • Gods and Myths of Northern Europe
02The names

The names Nerthus answers to

Terra Mater

Mother Earth

SourceDictionary of northern mythology

Mother Earth

Earth as a maternal deity

SourceDictionary of northern mythology

Earth Mother

Maternal personification of the earth

SourceDictionary of northern mythology

03The myths

The myths of Nerthus

1 myth, with sources recorded for each.

The Procession and Purification of Nerthus

Oxen drew Nerthus in a covered wagon among her followers, while the people greeted her with solemn processions and public rejoicing. At intervals, the goddess was believed to desire departure from her sacred island in the ocean. Her grove there contained a consecrated wagon, which no one except the priest was permitted to touch. No human was allowed to enter the island.

When the priest brought Nerthus forth, she travelled among the Germanic tribes on festal days. Joy spread through the communities, and warfare ceased while she was abroad. Peace prevailed wherever she went. Her passing was also believed to bring fertility to the fields. The people welcomed the wagon and took part in the celebrations as long as the goddess remained among them.

When her progress ended, the priest conveyed Nerthus back to her holy island. He then took the wagon to a sacred lake. There he washed the wagon, the goddess, and her garments before restoring them to the sanctuary. One account describes the cart as drawn by cows rather than oxen.

The attendants who had accompanied Nerthus were then put to death by drowning. The reason given is that no one could be allowed to live after seeing the goddess. Once the washing and the deaths were complete, Nerthus returned to the protection of her sacred grove. The island remained closed to human entry until the goddess again desired to leave it and travel among her followers.

The Procession and Purification of Nerthus, a MythSource painting of the scene

3 sources· checked 2026-08-19

  1. 1Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and FolkloreT1
  2. 2the ancient sourcesT1

    Quote

    “Nerthus was carried among the Germanic peoples in a sacred wagon, bringing peace and fertility, before the priest returned her to the island, washed her and the wagon in a hidden lake, and drowned those who had witnessed her.”

    the ancient sources

  3. 3Norse MythologyT1