Hel

Hel

Hel is a figure in Norse mythology who presides over the realm of Niflheimr, where she receives a portion of the dead—specifically, those who are dishonoured. Hel is mentioned in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, and in the Prose Edda, written by Snorri Sturluson in the same century. References to Hel also appear in poems from the Heimskringla and the Egils saga, which date to the 9th and 10th centuries respectively. Additionally, an episode in the Latin work Gesta Danorum, written in the 12th century by Saxo Grammaticus, is generally interpreted as a reference to Hel. Some Migration Period bracteates may also depict Hel.

Myths and Legends

Appearance

Hel's appearance varies across the myths:

  • She is described as half blue and half flesh-coloured, with a gloomy and downcast demeanour.
  • One half of her body is said to be "ghostly white", while the other is "black as peat" (the term "ugly witch" is often associated with her appearance, although modern depictions frequently portray her as beautiful).
  • In some versions, one half of her body is a corpse, while the other is that of a living young maiden (often depicted as a half-skeleton in contemporary art).

Hel exists in a state that is neither fully alive nor fully dead, embodying the boundary between the two.

Realm

In the Prose Edda (Gylfaginning), Hel is appointed by Odin as the ruler of the realm of Niflheimr. She presides over a vast underworld kingdom, ruling from her grand hall, Eljudnir ("Home of the Dead"). Here, she is served by her attendants, Ganglati and Ganglot, whose names translate to "sluggish."

Her realm is described as the destination for the dishonoured dead and those who die from sickness or old age. Hel's possessions reflect her dominion over death and despair:

  • A knife named "Hunger"
  • A plate also named "Hunger"
  • A bed called "Sickness"
  • Bed curtains known as "Misfortune"

Hel plays a central role in the myth concerning the attempted resurrection of the god Baldr.

Powers

Hel possesses a range of abilities, reflecting her dominion over death and the underworld:

  • Age Acceleration
  • Manipulation of Death
  • Inducing Death
  • Disease Manipulation
  • Ice Manipulation (in her realm)
  • Death’s Kiss
  • Necromancy
  • Inducing Necrosis
  • Sovereignty over the Underworld

Etymology

The Old Norse term Hel is identical to the name of the realm she rules over, Hel. This word has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as Old English hell, Old Frisian helle, Old Saxon hellia, Old High German hella, and Gothic halja. All derive from the Proto-Germanic feminine noun xaljō or haljō ("hidden place, the underworld"), which in turn comes from the Proto-Indo-European root kel- or kol- ("to cover, conceal").

The term is etymologically related to the modern English word "hall" and by extension to Valhalla ("Hall of the Slain").

Proto-Germanic terms such as xalja-rūnō(n) ("witch" or "spirit conjurer") and xalja-wītjan ("hell-torment") also relate to Hel. These words are reconstructed from attested forms in various Germanic languages, including Gothic, Old English, and Old Norse.

Evidence

Hel is documented in:

  • The Poetic Edda (13th century, based on earlier sources).
  • The Prose Edda (13th century, by Snorri Sturluson).
  • Poems from the Heimskringla and Egils saga (9th–10th centuries).
  • The Gesta Danorum (12th century, by Saxo Grammaticus).

Additionally, depictions of Hel are speculated to appear on various Migration Period bracteates.

 

Poetic Edda

The Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, contains several references to Hel.

  • In the poem Völuspá, Hel's realm is referred to as the "halls of Hel."
  • In stanza 31 of Grímnismál, Hel is described as dwelling beneath one of the three roots of the world tree, Yggdrasil.
  • In Fáfnismál, the hero Sigurd, standing before the mortally wounded body of the dragon Fáfnir, remarks that Fáfnir lies in pieces, "where Hel can claim him."
  • In Atlamál, phrases like "Hel has half of us" and "sent to Hel" are used as metaphors for death, referring to either the place or the entity (or perhaps both).
  • In stanza 4 of Baldrs draumar, Odin rides towards the "high hall of Hel."

Hel may also be alluded to in Hamðismál, where death is described as "the joy of the troll-woman" (or "ogress"), possibly referring to Hel as a troll-woman (flagð). Additionally, travellers to Hel must pass the guardian hound Garmr, as mentioned in the Poetic Edda.

Prose Edda

In the Prose Edda, written by Snorri Sturluson in the 13th century, Hel is prominently mentioned:

  • In chapter 34 of Gylfaginning, Hel is introduced as one of Loki and Angrboða’s three children, alongside Fenrir the wolf and Jörmungandr the serpent. The gods, fearing prophecies of doom associated with these siblings, gathered them and brought them to Odin. Odin cast Jörmungandr into the sea, where it encircles the world, and sent Hel to Niflheimr, granting her authority over nine worlds to receive those who die of sickness or old age.

Hel is described as ruling from a vast underworld kingdom with:

  • A hall named Éljúðnir ("Sprayed with Snowstorms").
  • A dish and knife both named Hunger.
  • A bed called Sick-bed with curtains called Misfortune.
  • Her servants Ganglati and Ganglöt ("lazy walker").

Hel herself is described as "half black and half flesh-coloured," with a grim and sombre expression.

  • In chapter 49, Hel plays a role in the events surrounding the death of Baldr. Odin’s son Hermóðr rides to Hel on the eight-legged horse Sleipnir to plead for Baldr’s release. Hel agrees to release Baldr if all things in the world, living or dead, weep for him. However, the giantess Þǫkk refuses to weep, ensuring Baldr remains in Hel’s realm.
  • In chapter 51, during Ragnarök, Loki arrives at the field Vígríðr accompanied by "all of Hel’s people."

In Skáldskaparmál:

  • Hel is referred to in kennings, such as “Hel’s companion” (for Baldr) and “Loki’s relative” (indicating their familial connection).

Heimskringla

In Ynglinga saga (part of Snorri’s Heimskringla), Hel is indirectly mentioned:

  • Chapter 17 recounts the death of King Dyggvi, quoting a verse from the Ynglingatal (9th century) that describes Hel taking Dyggvi’s corpse.
  • Chapter 45 references Hel as "howe's-warder" (guardian of graves) when she claims King Halfdan Hvitbeinn.
  • In later chapters, Hel is linked to various deaths of kings, described as taking their lives to her realm.

Egils saga

The Icelandic Egils saga features the poem Sonatorrek, attributed to Egill Skallagrímsson. In the final stanza, Hel (unnamed but implied) is described as "the tight sister of Odin’s foe" (Fenrir), standing ready to claim Egill’s life.

Gesta Danorum

In Saxo Grammaticus’s Gesta Danorum (early 13th century), Baldr’s death is recounted differently. A dying Baldr dreams of Proserpina, a Roman equivalent to Hel:

"In the following night, the goddess of death appeared by his side in a dream and announced she would embrace him in three days."

Scholars suggest Saxo used Proserpina as a parallel to the Norse Hel.

Hel remains a complex figure in Norse mythology, blending roles as both a ruler of the underworld and a metaphor for death itself.

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