Ran is the sea goddess of storms and the wife (and sister) of the sea god Aegir. With whom she had nine daughters (the billow maidens), who wore white robes and veils, and are named: Himinglaeva, Dufa, Blodughadda, Hefring, Unn, Hron, Bylgia, Bara and Kolga.

She rules over the realm of the dead which is situated at the bottom of the ocean. She is known to sink ships and collect drowned sailors in her nets whom she takes to her hall where she then tenderly ministers to them (those who have drowned neither go to Valhalla not to Helheim.