Hel is one of the most enigmatic and powerful figures in Norse mythology, playing a crucial role in the pantheon as the goddess of the dead. She is often misunderstood or overshadowed by other more prominent deities like Odin, Thor, and Loki, but her presence is essential to the functioning of the cosmos, particularly in the context of death, the afterlife, and the balance between life and the underworld. To fully appreciate who Hel is and what she represents, it is important to delve into her origins, the nature of her realm, her role in the cosmology of Norse myth, and her broader significance.
Hel is the daughter of the trickster god Loki and the giantess Angrboða, which places her in a complex familial lineage. Loki himself is a figure of chaos and transformation, while Angrboða is associated with the jötnar (giants), beings that exist in opposition to the gods of Asgard but are also necessary for the balance of the cosmos. This heritage makes Hel a figure who exists on the boundary between order and disorder, life and death. She is the sibling of the monstrous wolf Fenrir and the serpent Jörmungandr, both of whom play key roles in the prophecy of Ragnarök, the end of the world. Together, these siblings embody different aspects of destruction and the forces that challenge the divine order.
As a goddess, Hel presides over the realm that shares her name: Helheim, the land of the dead. Unlike Valhalla, where warriors who die in battle are taken by the Valkyries to spend eternity feasting and preparing for Ragnarök, Helheim is the destination for those who die of illness, old age, or in other circumstances that do not involve combat. Helheim is often depicted as a cold, misty, and desolate place, far removed from the glory of Valhalla. It is a somber reflection of the realities of death that are more mundane, contrasting sharply with the heroic narrative of fallen warriors.
Hel herself is described in the Prose Edda and Poetic Edda as having a dual appearance that reflects her nature as a being who straddles two worlds. She is portrayed as half-living and half-dead: one side of her body is beautiful and healthy, while the other side is decayed and skeletal. This split appearance symbolizes her dominion over both life and death, as well as the inevitable decay that follows life. Her visage represents the unavoidable fate of all living beings, the passage from life to death, and the idea that death is not something to be feared, but rather an integral part of the natural order.
Despite her fearsome role, Hel is not portrayed as an evil or malevolent figure. She is a custodian of the dead, and her role is to ensure the proper functioning of the afterlife. In this way, she can be seen as a necessary part of the cosmos, maintaining the balance between life and death. Her cold and distant demeanor aligns with the Norse view of death as something inevitable and inescapable, rather than something inherently malicious.
Helheim, her realm, is one of the nine worlds of Norse cosmology. It is located beneath the roots of Yggdrasil, the World Tree, in a region that is cold and dark, much like the realm itself. The entrance to Helheim is guarded by a giant hound named Garmr, who is similar to Cerberus in Greek mythology. The dead who enter Helheim pass through gates that are closed behind them, sealing them off from the world of the living. There is little interaction between Helheim and the other realms, and the souls who reside there exist in a state of quiet oblivion, detached from the events of the cosmos.
One of the most famous myths involving Hel is the death of Baldr, the beloved god of light and purity. After Baldr is killed through the machinations of Loki, his body is taken to Helheim. The gods are devastated by his loss and seek to bring him back to life. Hermóðr, one of the gods, travels to Helheim to plead with Hel for Baldr’s return. Hel agrees to release him on one condition: that every being in the universe, both living and dead, must weep for him. While most beings do indeed mourn for Baldr, a single giantess (who may have been Loki in disguise) refuses to shed a tear, and thus Baldr remains in Helheim until the events of Ragnarök. This myth underscores Hel’s authority and impartiality; even though Baldr is beloved by the gods, she will not release him unless the proper conditions are met.
Hel’s role in the mythology reflects the Norse conception of death, which differs from modern views. In the Norse worldview, death is not seen as a punishment or a reward, but simply as a fact of life. Those who end up in Helheim are not necessarily bad or unworthy; they are simply those who died in a way that does not involve battle. There is a certain stoicism in the way the Norse viewed death, and Hel embodies this stoic, impartial approach. Her realm is not a place of torment, like the Christian concept of Hell, but a shadowy, neutral place where the dead reside without pain or joy.
There is also a certain duality in Hel’s character that reflects broader themes in Norse cosmology. Much like her father Loki, she is neither entirely good nor entirely evil. She is feared and respected, but she is also necessary. Her existence ensures that the cycle of life and death continues, and in this way, she is indispensable to the functioning of the universe. Hel, like many figures in Norse mythology, exists within the complex web of relationships and forces that shape the cosmos. The gods, the giants, and other beings all play their roles in maintaining balance, and Hel is no different. She may reside in the shadowy depths of the underworld, but her presence is felt throughout the mythology.
Another important aspect of Hel’s character is the way she is connected to the larger theme of fate in Norse mythology. The Norse believed in an inescapable destiny, one that was woven by the Norns, the weavers of fate. Even the gods are subject to the whims of fate, as evidenced by the prophecy of Ragnarök, which foretells the destruction of the gods and the end of the world. Hel’s role as the goddess of the dead ties her to this broader theme of fate. Death is the ultimate fate that awaits all beings, and Hel is the one who presides over it. In this sense, she can be seen as an agent of the Norns, enforcing the natural order and ensuring that fate is fulfilled.
Hel’s connection to the underworld also places her in a broader comparative mythology context. Many cultures have deities or figures who preside over the dead, and Hel shares similarities with these other figures. For example, in Greek mythology, Hades rules the underworld, and in Egyptian mythology, Osiris presides over the dead. Like these deities, Hel is both feared and respected, and her role is essential to the functioning of the cosmos. However, unlike some of these other deities, Hel does not judge the souls of the dead. In her realm, the dead simply reside without the need for judgment or punishment. This reflects the Norse belief that the afterlife is not a place of moral reckoning but rather a continuation of the natural cycle of life and death.
Hel’s role in Ragnarök, the prophesied end of the world, is another aspect of her significance. During Ragnarök, it is said that the dead will rise from Helheim and join the forces of chaos in the final battle against the gods. Hel herself is not described as taking an active role in the battle, but her realm and its inhabitants are a key part of the events that unfold. The dead who reside in Helheim are not at peace, but rather they await the final battle, when they will be called upon to fight against the gods. This adds a layer of complexity to Hel’s character, as she is not simply a passive custodian of the dead, but rather a key figure in the ultimate fate of the cosmos.
Hel’s legacy in modern popular culture reflects her enduring significance as a figure of death and the underworld. She appears in various forms in literature, art, and media, often depicted as a dark and mysterious figure. In some modern interpretations, she is portrayed as a villain, reflecting the fear and fascination that death continues to inspire. However, these interpretations often overlook the more nuanced aspects of her character. In Norse mythology, Hel is not a figure of evil or malice, but rather a necessary part of the cosmic order. She represents the inevitability of death and the natural cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
The portrayal of Hel in modern media also highlights the ways in which mythological figures are reinterpreted and adapted to fit contemporary narratives. In some modern adaptations, Hel is depicted as a tragic figure, reflecting the human fear of death and the unknown. In others, she is portrayed as a powerful and independent figure, emphasizing her role as a ruler of her own realm. These modern portrayals offer new perspectives on Hel’s character, but they also underscore the timelessness of the themes she embodies.