Hel in Norse Mythology: The Queen of the Underworld

In Norse mythology, Hel is the queen of the underworld, ruling over the realm of the dead known as Helheim. Hel is often depicted as a goddess with a half-dead appearance, and her kingdom is said to be a cold and dark place where the dead reside. In this article, we will explore the myth of Hel in Norse mythology and examine the significance of her role as the goddess of death.

What is Hel the Goddess of?

Hel is the goddess of death in Norse mythology, ruling over the underworld where the dead go after they have passed away. Her name, “Hel,” is derived from the Old Norse word “Helheimr,” which means “house of Hel.” Helheim is one of the nine worlds in Norse mythology and is considered the lowest.

In ancient Norse mythology, it is believed that when someone dies, they go to one of three possible destinations: Valhalla, Folkvangr, or Helheim. Valhalla is the realm where brave warriors who died in battle go, while Folkvangr is the domain of the goddess Freyja, where half of the souls of those who did not die in battle are taken. The other half of the souls, however, are sent to Helheim to be under the rule of Hel.

Is Hel and Hela the Same Person?

Hel and Hela are similar figures in Norse mythology, but they are not the same person. Hel is the goddess who rules over the realm of the dead, known as Helheim, while Hela is a figure associated with death and the afterlife who appears in some sources.

Hela is often described as a daughter of Loki and the giantess Angrboda, similar to Hel. However, she is typically depicted as a monstrous figure with a half-dead appearance, resembling a rotting corpse. In some sources, Hela is said to rule over a realm known as Niflheim, also associated with the dead.

The confusion between Hel and Hela may arise because their names are similar and share many characteristics, including their association with death and the afterlife. Nevertheless, they are different Norse mythology figures with distinct stories and features.

Hel Norse Mythology Powers

As the queen of the underworld, Hel, in Norse mythology, has significant powers over the realm of the dead. Her powers are closely linked to her role as the keeper of the dead and the ruler of Helheim.

Control over the souls of the dead: Hel has the power to control the souls of the dead and determine their fate in the afterlife. It is said that she can decide whether a soul will be reincarnated or remain in Helheim.
Power over the weather: Hel is associated with the cold and darkness of the underworld, and it is said that she can control the weather in the mortal world. Her horse, Hrimfaxi, brings the cold and dark of Helheim with him as he travels through the night sky.
Ability to communicate with the living: In some versions of Norse mythology, it is said that Hel has the ability to communicate with the living. This ability allows her to pass on messages from the dead to their loved ones in the mortal world.
Control over disease and illness: Hel is also associated with disease and illness, and it is said that she has the power to inflict sickness upon the living. Her association with illness and disease further emphasizes her role as a symbol of death and the cycle of life and death.
Power over the dead in battle: In some versions of Norse mythology, it is said that Hel can raise the dead who fell in battle as her undead warriors. These warriors are said to serve her in the afterlife and are loyal to her above all else.

Hel Norse Mythology Appearance

Hel’s appearance in Norse mythology is unique and distinctive, reflecting her dual nature as a goddess of death and ruler of the underworld.

In most depictions, Hel is portrayed as having a half-dead appearance, with one side of her body as a living, beautiful woman while the other is a decaying corpse. This duality in her appearance emphasizes her role as a symbol of the cycle of life and death, representing the idea that death is not an end but a transition from one state of being to another.

In addition to her dual appearance, Hel is often depicted wearing dark, flowing robes or a long cloak, further emphasizing her connection to the underworld and the darkness of death. Her hair is often described as long and dark, sometimes partially covering her face, further highlighting her mysterious and powerful nature.

Some depictions of Hel also show her carrying a staff or a wand, which symbolizes her role as the queen of the underworld and the ruler of the dead. The staff or scepter also represents her authority over the souls of the dead and her power to decide their fate in the afterlife.

In some interpretations, Hel is also shown riding her horse Hrimfaxi, who brings the cold and darkness of Helheim with him as he travels through the night sky. This portrayal emphasizes Hel’s association with the cold and dark of death and her power to control the weather and the natural world.

What Does the Goddess Hel Represent?

Hel is often depicted as a goddess with a half-dead appearance, with half of her body being that of a beautiful woman and the other half is that of a corpse. This duality in her appearance represents the idea that death is not an end but a transition from one state of being to another.

In Norse mythology, death is not regarded with fear or avoidance, but rather as an essential element of the natural order, which is symbolized by Hel, the goddess of death. Hel’s symbolism represents the cycle of life and death, highlighting the notion that death is an integral part of the natural cycle. Hel is seen as the gatekeeper of the afterlife, ushering the dead into her realm and ensuring they are cared for until they are ready to be reincarnated.

Another aspect of Hel’s symbolism is her connection to the earth. Helheim is said to be located underground, and the goddess is often associated with the roots of the world tree, Yggdrasil. This connection to the earth represents the idea that death is a natural part of the cycle of life and that all living things are fundamentally connected to the world.

Hel Goddess Symbol

The symbol associated with the Hel Norse goddess is often depicted as a spiral, which represents the cyclical nature of life and death. The spiral symbol can also be seen as a representation of the journey that the dead take through the underworld before being reincarnated.

Another symbol associated with the Hel goddess is the black horse. According to Norse mythology, Hel rides a black horse named “Hrimfaxi,” which means “frost mane.” Hrimfaxi is said to bring the cold and darkness of Helheim with him as he travels through the night sky.

The Myth of Hel Goddess of Death in Norse Mythology

According to Norse mythology, Hel is the daughter of the trickster god Loki and the giantess Angrboda. She has two brothers, Fenrir the wolf and Jormungandr the serpent. Hel was born with a half-dead appearance, which alarmed her father, who feared that her appearance would bring shame upon him and his family.

In response, Loki brought Hel to the underworld and placed her in charge of the realm of the dead. Hel then became the queen of the underworld and ruled over the souls of the dead.

In the Norse myth of Baldr, Hel plays a significant role. Baldr was Odin and Frigg’s son and was considered the most beloved of all the gods. Yet, he had a dream that he would die, which caused his mother, Frigg, to seek a promise from all the beings in the nine worlds that they would not harm Baldr. However, she overlooked mistletoe, which was considered too small and insignificant to be a threat.

Loki, jealous of Baldr’s popularity, made a spear from mistletoe and gave it to Baldr’s blind brother Hodr, who unknowingly threw it at Baldr, killing him. Frigg was devastated by her son’s death and pleaded with Hel to release him from the underworld.

Hel agreed to release Baldr but only on the condition that all the beings in the nine worlds wept for him. This task proved impossible, as a giantess named Thokk refused to cry for Baldr, claiming that she had no reason to mourn the death of an enemy. As a result, Baldr remained in Helheim.

This myth of Baldr highlights the importance of Hel in Norse mythology as the ruler of the underworld and the keeper of the dead. It also shows the cyclical nature of life and death, as even the most beloved of the gods must pass through the realm of the deceased before being reincarnated.

In Norse mythology, Hel is not seen as an evil figure but rather as a necessary part of the natural order. She is a symbol of the cyclical nature of life and death and the importance of accepting death as a natural part of the cycle.

Is Hel Loki’s Daughter?

According to Norse mythology, Hel is the daughter of the trickster god Loki and the giantess Angrboda. Loki is one of the most complex and controversial figures in Norse mythology, known for his cunning and mischief. Loki is also the father of several other important figures in Norse mythology, including the wolf Fenrir and the serpent Jormungandr.

The fact that Hel is Loki’s daughter further emphasizes her connection to death and the underworld, as Loki is often associated with chaos and destruction. But despite her connection to Loki, Hel is also considered an important and influential goddess in her own right, with significant powers over the realm of the dead and the souls of the departed.

What is the Relationship Between Hel and Odin?

In Norse mythology, Hel and Odin have a complex and nuanced relationship tied to their respective roles as gods of death and the afterlife.

As the king of the gods, Odin has the power to decide who will be slain in battle and taken to Valhalla, where the brave warriors will feast and fight alongside the gods in preparation for Ragnarok, the final battle. Still, Odin also has a connection to Hel and the realm of the dead, as he is said to have sacrificed an eye in exchange for wisdom from the well of Mimir, which is located in the underworld.

Despite this connection, the relationship between Hel and Odin is often portrayed as tense and adversarial. This is particularly evident in the myth of Baldr, in which Hel refuses to release Baldr from Helheim unless all beings in the nine worlds weep for him. Odin, along with the other gods, attempts to get all beings to cry for Baldr, but they are ultimately unsuccessful due to the intervention of the giant Thokk, who refuses to mourn Baldr’s death.

One more tale that features Odin and Hel in Norse mythology is the story of how Odin attained the knowledge of the runes. As per the myth, Odin suspended himself from the world tree, Yggdrasil, for nine days and nights to gain access to the runes, which are potent symbols of divination and magic. During his ordeal, Odin was said to have passed through the realm of the dead and encountered Hel.

In some versions of this myth, Hel is said to have refused to release Odin from the underworld unless he gave her one of his eyes as payment. Odin agrees to this, and upon his return to the mortal world, he uses his knowledge of the runes to become a powerful and wise god.

Final Words

Hel is a significant figure in Norse mythology as the goddess of death and ruler of the underworld. Her appearance as a half-dead goddess symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and death, and her connection to the earth represents the idea that death is a natural part of the cycle of life.

Hel’s role in the myth of Baldr highlights the importance of her role as the keeper of the dead and the ruler of the underworld. Her willingness to release Baldr, albeit with conditions, shows that death is not an end but a transition to another state of being.

In conclusion, the goddess Hel in Norse mythology represents the cycle of life and death and the universe’s natural order. Her symbolism and mythology provide insight into the Norse worldview and their acceptance of death as a necessary part of the cycle of life.