Sjöfn is a Norse goddess listed in the Prose Edda as one who “turns the hearts of men and women to love.” Her name relates to “love” or “affection.” Though minor, she embodies emotional connection. Poets reference Sjöfn to explore the divine origin of romantic and platonic bonds, framing love as a sacred, guiding force in human relationships.

Sjöfn is a goddess who directs the hearts of men and women toward love, as listed in Gylfaginning. Her name may derive from "sefi" (mind, affection), linking her to emotional bonds rather than lust. Students should distinguish Sjöfn from Freyja (sensual love) and Lofn (forbidden unions)—Sjöfn governs mutual, harmonious affection. Though absent from poems, her role reflects Norse recognition of love as a divine force requiring balance. In poetic contexts, invoking Sjöfn could sanctify relationships or explain emotional shifts. Her inclusion among the Ásynjur shows that Norse myth compartmentalized love into specialized domains, making her valuable for studies of emotion, gender, and social harmony in medieval Scandinavian thought.