Editing Vanir (section)

===''Poetic Edda''===
[[File:Freyr by Johannes Gehrts.jpg|thumb|The sun shining behind them, the god [[Freyr]] stands with his boar [[Gullinbursti]] (1901), by [[Johannes Gehrts]].]]
In the ''Poetic Edda'', the Vanir, as a group, are specifically referenced in the poems ''[[Völuspá]]'', ''[[Vafþrúðnismál]]'', ''[[Skírnismál]]'', ''[[Þrymskviða]]'', ''[[Alvíssmál]]'', and ''[[Sigrdrífumál]]''. In ''Völuspá'', a stanza describes the events of the [[Æsir–Vanir War]], noting that during the war the Vanir broke the walls of the stronghold of the Æsir, and that the Vanir were "indomitable, trampling the plain".{{sfn|Larrington|1999|p=7}}

In ''[[Vafþrúðnismál]]'', [[List of names of Odin|Gagnráðr]] (the god [[Odin]] in disguise) engages in a game of wits with the [[jötunn]] [[Vafþrúðnir]]. Gagnráðr asks Vafþrúðnir where the Van god [[Njörðr]] came from, for though he rules over many [[Heathen hofs|hofs]] and [[hörgr]]s, Njörðr was not raised among the Æsir. Vafþrúðnir responds that Njörðr was created in [[Vanaheimr]] ("home of the Vanir") by "wise powers" and details that during the Æsir–Vanir War, Njörðr was exchanged as a hostage. In addition, when the world ends ([[Ragnarök]]), Njörðr "will return to the wise Vanir".{{sfn|Larrington|1999|p=46}}

''[[Alvíssmál]]'' consists of question and answer exchanges between the dwarf [[Alvíss]] and the god [[Thor]]. In the poem, Alvíss supplies terms that various groups, including the Vanir, use to refer to various subjects. Alvíss attributes nine terms to the Vanir; one for Earth ("The Ways"), Heaven ("The Weaver of Winds"), clouds ("Kites of the Wind"), calm ("The Hush of the Winds"), the sea ("The Wave"), fire ("Wildfire"), wood ("The Wand"), seed ("growth"), and ale ("The Foaming").{{sfn|Bellows|1923|pp=186–187, 189–193}}

The poem ''[[Þrymskviða]]'' states that the god [[Heimdall]]r possesses foreknowledge, "as the Vanir also can".{{sfn|Larrington|1999|p=99}} ''[[Sigrdrífumál]]'' records that the Vanir are in possession of a "sacred [[mead]]". In the poem, the [[valkyrie]] [[Sigrdrífa]] provides mystical lore about [[runes]] to the hero [[Sigurd]]. Sigrdrífa notes that runes were once carved on to various creatures, deities, and other figures, and then shaved off and mixed with a "sacred [[mead]]". This mead is possessed by the Æsir, the [[elves]], mankind, and the Vanir.{{sfn|Larrington|1999|p=169}}

In ''[[Skírnismál]]'', the beautiful [[jötunn]] [[Gerðr]] first encounters the god [[Freyr]]'s messenger [[Skírnir]], and asks him if he is of the elves, of the Æsir, or of the "wise Vanir". Skírnir responds that he is not of any of the three groups.{{sfn|Larrington|1999|p=64}} Later in the poem, Skírnir is successful in his threats against Gerðr (to have Gerðr accept Freyr's affections), and Gerðr offers Skírnir a crystal cup full of mead, noting that she never thought that she would love one of the Vanir.{{sfn|Larrington|1999|p=67}}