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126 EELIGION OF THE NORTHMEN.
indeed, more frequently the case with, the more dif-
fuse legends, which we cannot dwell upon in this
brief exposition of the Asa Mythology.
There are different grades in the ranks of the
Asa-Gods, as we find by looking over the series at-
tentively, that all are not in the same degree essen-
tial to build np the religious system as a whole, nor
to complete its internal connection. Some form, as
it were, indispensable main-springs to all the affairs
of the World, while others only step forth at some
one point thereof, and then more as an auxiliary
power which has been brought out and personified
by investigation, for the sake of completing a train
of ideas, than as an independent power which of
itself created its own personality. To %e fortner
class belong Odin, Friga, Thor, Nj6r5, Frey, Freyja,
Baldur, Loki, and perhaps also Heimdall and
^gir ; to the latter, Tyr, HoSur, Yali, Vi5arr, and
all the remaining host of celestial beings, many of
whom it is evident came into existence only to illus-
trate certain attributes of the more prominent gods,
or their influence in certain directions, or else to
form a connecting link in some mythological legend
of importance. The latter class of gods, when the
allegory is not complete, often presents the greatest
difiiculties to the interpreter.
The Gods have«various terms in the Asa My-
thology :—1. Go6 {sing. Go6), the Gods—a name of
uncertain origin. 2. JEmv {sing. As ; fern. Asynia),
beings of a peculiar character and significance ; the
term is often limited to the highest class of celestial
beings. 3. Tivar {dug. Tivor, Tivr, Tfr), Glorious