Hel is a complex figure in Norse mythology, and there are many different aspects of her character and role that are worth exploring. Hel is the daughter of Loki and the giantess Angrboda. Her siblings include the Midgard Serpent, a massive sea serpent that encircles the earth, and Fenrir, a monstrous wolf who is destined to kill Odin during Ragnarok, the end of the world.
Hel is often depicted as a half-alive, half-dead figure, with one side of her body being beautiful and the other being rotting and decaying. This duality reflects her role as the ruler of the dead, as she is responsible for overseeing the transition of souls from the land of the living to the afterlife. In some versions of the myth, Hel is said to have been born this way, while in others it is a result of Odin banishing her to the underworld as punishment for her appearance.
Hel's domain is Helheim, the realm of the dead. According to Norse mythology, when someone died, their soul would be sent to Helheim to be judged by Hel and her helpers. If the soul was deemed worthy, they would be allowed to enter the afterlife, but if not, they would be condemned to eternal suffering. Helheim is described as a cold and dark place, with no light or warmth, and it is said to be guarded by a monstrous dog named Garm.
One of the most famous stories involving Hel is the tale of Baldr's death. Baldr, the god of light and purity, was killed by his blind brother Hodr, who was tricked into doing so by Loki. After Baldr's death, the gods sent someone to negotiate with Hel to release Baldr from Helheim. Hel agreed, but only if every living thing in the world wept for Baldr. The gods sent messengers throughout the world to ask every creature to weep for Baldr, and almost all did, except for one giantess named Thokk, who was actually Loki in disguise. As a result, Baldr was unable to be released from Helheim, and the stage was set for the coming of Ragnarok.
In the Prose Edda, Hel is described as having a fierce and imposing appearance. She is said to have a face that is half blue-black and half flesh-colored, and her body is described as being large and menacing. Despite her fearsome appearance, however, Hel is also portrayed as being fair and just in her judgments. She is said to be even-handed in her treatment of the dead, and to be guided by a strong sense of duty and honor.
In the Poetic Edda, Hel is referred to as "the bringer of the end." This name reflects her role as the ruler of the dead and the afterlife, and it suggests that she holds a significant amount of power and influence over the course of events in Norse mythology. Hel is not only responsible for judging the souls of the dead, but she is also said to have a hand in shaping the destiny of the gods themselves.
Overall, Hel is a fascinating and multifaceted figure in Norse mythology. She represents the mysteries of death and the afterlife, and she embodies both beauty and decay, life and death. Despite her fearsome appearance and her role as the ruler of the dead, she is also depicted as being fair and just in her judgments, and as holding a significant amount of power and influence over the course of events in the Norse cosmos.
Hel in Norse mythology:
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Hel is first mentioned in the Prose Edda, specifically in the Gylfaginning section, where she is described as the ruler of the dead in the realm of Helheim. (Prose Edda, Gylfaginning 34)
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Hel's appearance is described in more detail in the same section of the Prose Edda, where she is said to have a face that is half black and half flesh-colored, and a body that is both large and imposing. (Prose Edda, Gylfaginning 34)
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Hel's origins are discussed in the Skáldskaparmál section of the Prose Edda, where she is identified as the daughter of Loki and the giantess Angrboda. (Prose Edda, Skáldskaparmál 35)
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The story of Baldr's death and Hel's role in it is recounted in both the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda. In the Prose Edda, the story is told in the Gylfaginning section, while in the Poetic Edda it is related in the poem "Baldr's Dreams." (Prose Edda, Gylfaginning 49-51; Poetic Edda, Völuspá 32-33, 49)
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Hel is mentioned briefly in the Poetic Edda poem "Helgakviða Hundingsbana I," where the hero Helgi is said to have gone to Helheim to rescue his love, Sigrún. (Poetic Edda, Helgakviða Hundingsbana I 13)
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Hel's appearance is described in more detail in the poem "Baldrs Draumar," where she is said to be half black and half white, with a face that is half blue-black and half flesh-colored. (Poetic Edda, Baldrs Draumar 4)
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Hel is briefly mentioned in the Poetic Edda poem "Völuspá," where she is referred to as "the one who houses the dead." (Poetic Edda, Völuspá 39)
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In the Prose Edda, Hel is mentioned as being one of the goddesses who takes part in the banquet held in honor of Ægir, the god of the sea. (Prose Edda, Skáldskaparmál 34)
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Hel is also briefly mentioned in the poem "Hyndluljóð," where she is referred to as the "daughter of Loki." (Poetic Edda, Hyndluljóð 41)
