WODAN. Wodan or Odhin was one of the chief deities of the Ancient Teutons. Tacitus regarded him as the supreme deity, and speaks of him as Mercury. He was one of the chief gods of the Frisians and the Saxons. He figures prominently in one of the Merseberg Charms (q.v.), which were discovered at Merseburg in Saxony. The cult was widespread among the Anglo-Saxons. Wodan was worshipped also by the Norsemen. Norse literature suggests, however, that Thor (q.v.) was more generally worshipped in Norway as the national deity, and that Wodan was introduced from outside. Originally he would seem to have been a god of the Istvmones mentioned by Tacitus. The name Wodan is derived from a root meaning " to blow," and Wodan is the wind god. Since wind may be harmful or bene ficial, it is natural that he should have been also a god of war and a god of agriculture and fertility. He is the
commander of the "Furious Host " or the leader in the " Wild Hunt " (q.v.). He is represented as riding on a dapple-grey horse or on a steed known as Yggdrasil, and as being a great wanderer or traveller. In Norse literature and in German popular tradition he has become god of the dead, especially of fallen heroes, whom he welcomes to Walhalla (q.v.), the happy meeting-place. He developed further into a god of wisdom, of secret wisdom and the magic arts. A triad is sometimes formed by Loki (q.v.), Hoenir (q.v.), and Wodan. When the first men were formed, Loki is said to have given them warmth and colour, Hoenir souls, and Wodan breath. Wodan's name survives in the English Wednesday. See P. D. Chantepie de la Saussaye, Rel. of the Teutons, 1902: R.S.W.; Reinach, O.