GermanHel: The Goddess of the Underworld in Norse Mythology
Hel is one of the most fascinating and somber figures in Norse mythology. As the ruler of the realm of the dead, which also bears her name, she holds a central role in the myths surrounding life and death. Her portrayal as the daughter of Loki and Angrboða and her complex relationship with other gods make her a particularly intriguing and ambivalent character. While she is often perceived as a fearsome goddess of the underworld, she also embodies aspects of wisdom and guardianship, which make her unique in Norse mythology.
In this blog post, we take a closer look at Hel — her origins, her role in the myths, her symbolism, and the significance of her rule over the realm of the dead.
Hel’s Origins
Hel is the daughter of the god Loki, known for his trickery and chaotic nature, and the giantess Angrboða. This unusual parentage gave rise to a divine being who is connected to both the Æsir (gods) and the Jötnar (giants), making her an outsider in the Norse pantheon.
Her siblings are the mighty Midgard Serpent Jörmungandr and the giant wolf Fenrir, both of whom also play pivotal roles in Norse mythology and conflicts with the gods. Hel herself is often described as a mysterious and reserved deity whose influence over the worlds of the living and the dead is both profound and ominous.
Hel was banished to the underworld by Odin, the All-Father, shortly after her birth. In her exile, she established her own realm, known as Helheim. Unlike Asgard (the realm of the gods) and Midgard (the world of humans), which exist in light and warmth, Helheim is a dark, cold, and desolate place where the souls of the dead reside.
Helheim: The Realm of the Dead
Helheim is the place where the souls of those who died natural deaths reside. Unlike Christian traditions that separate the afterlife into heaven and hell, Norse mythology does not have a fixed concept of eternal punishment for the wicked or reward for the virtuous. Instead, souls are assigned to various realms depending on how they lived and died. Helheim is where those who died of old age or illness go, rather than earning a place among the warriors in Valhalla or Folkvangr.
Helheim itself is a gloomy place filled with mists and shadows. Access to the realm of the dead is gained by crossing the river Gjöll, which the dead traverse with the help of the giantess Modgud, who guards the bridge. The entrance to Helheim is protected by a monstrous hound named Garm, and the realm is shrouded in cold and darkness — a bleak but not eternally torturous place.
Hel’s reign over this somber realm makes her one of the most powerful and feared figures in Norse mythology.
Hel: Her Appearance and Symbolism
Hel is often described in myths as a grim and imposing figure, both captivating and intimidating. Her appearance is as complex as her character: she is frequently depicted as being half alive and half dead. The upper part of her body is that of a living, beautiful being, while the lower part is decayed and ghostly — a powerful symbol of the boundary between life and death, over which she presides.
Her dual appearance symbolizes the ambivalence of Norse views on life and death. She is not merely the personification of death but the guardian of the transition between life and death. These depictions emphasize that death is not an end but a transition that is both unavoidable and necessary.
Hel governs not only the realm of the dead but also the fate of the souls that dwell there. Her power is unquestionable but not malevolent in the traditional sense. She is a deity who manages the inevitable fate of the dead, but her realm is not associated with the torment and punishment typically associated with the afterlife in other traditions. Helheim is more of a place of rest where souls prepare for their return to the cycle of existence.
Hel’s Role in Norse Myths
Hel plays a significant role in several central stories in Norse mythology. Her tales contain both tragic and fascinating elements, making her one of the most complex deities.
The Binding of Fenrir
One notable myth involving Hel concerns her brother Fenrir, the wolf deemed too dangerous by the gods and destined to play a pivotal role in Ragnarök. When Fenrir was born, the gods immediately recognized his immense power and decided to bind him to prevent the end of the world. Odin and the other gods attempted to explain their actions to Fenrir, and Hel’s perspective as both sibling and ruler of the dead offers a unique lens through which this myth can be viewed.
Baldur’s Death and Return
Another critical story involving Hel is the death of Baldur, the god of light. After Baldur was killed by his brother Höðr through Loki’s deceit, Odin petitioned Hel to release Baldur from her realm. Hel agreed only on the condition that every being in the universe weep for Baldur. When Loki refused to weep, Hel kept Baldur in her realm, demonstrating her commitment to the natural laws of life and death.
The Symbolism of Hel in Norse Culture
Hel is understood as the goddess of the boundary between life and death, a concept of immense importance in Norse culture. Death was a constant companion for the Norse people, who lived in a world shaped by wars, harsh natural conditions, and unpredictable fates. Hel represents a profound worldview in which life and death are not opposites but part of an eternal cycle of transition and transformation.
In Norse mythology, Hel symbolizes the inevitable end that completes the natural cycle of life. She is both comforting and terrifying — comforting in her preservation of the order of death, and terrifying in her guidance of souls into the darkness.
Hel in Modern Culture
Hel continues to influence modern pop culture. Her character appears in numerous fantasy stories, films, and series, such as Marvel Comics, where she plays a significant role in the universe of the gods. In Thor: Ragnarok, she is portrayed by Cate Blanchett as a powerful, menacing ruler who takes control of the realm of the dead and instigates Ragnarök.
She also appears in video games, series, and novels, often embodying the confrontation between life and death and the transition from one world to the next.
Conclusion: Hel – The Goddess of Transition
Hel remains one of the most mysterious and fascinating figures in Norse mythology. Her rule over the realm of the dead represents not only divine authority but also a deep understanding of the transition from life to death. In her complex and ambivalent role, she embodies both the shadows and the transformative power of death, which in the Norse worldview was inevitable but not final.
Hel, the goddess of the dead, teaches us that life and death are not opposites but interdependent — that death marks the end of one era and the beginning of another.
