Hel: The Goddess of the Underworld in Norse Mythology

In the shadowy realm of Norse mythology, Hel reigns as the goddess of the dead and ruler of the underworld that bears her name. A daughter of Loki and the giantess Angrboda, Hel is both feared and misunderstood, embodying the inevitability of death and the mysteries of the afterlife. Unlike the fiery hell of Christian tradition, Hel’s domain is a cold, somber place for those who die of old age, illness, or dishonorable means.

Let’s journey into the depths of Hel’s lore, her cultural impact, and her modern representations.

Origins and Mythological Context

Parentage and Origins

Hel is one of Loki’s three monstrous children, alongside Fenrir the wolf and Jörmungandr the world-serpent. Upon learning of their existence, the gods sought to control their power. Fenrir was bound, Jörmungandr was cast into the sea, and Hel was sent by Odin to rule over the dead.

Her domain, also called Hel, lies in Niflheim, a misty, cold realm at the base of Yggdrasil, the World Tree. From her throne in Eljudnir, Hel oversees the spirits of those who do not die in battle (those destined for Valhalla or Folkvangr).

The Dual Nature of Hel

Hel’s physical appearance mirrors her dual role as a custodian of death. She is described as being half alive and half dead:

  • One side of her body is beautiful and living.
  • The other side is decayed or skeletal, representing death.

This duality symbolizes the balance between life and death and underscores Hel’s role as both a nurturing and unyielding force.

The Role of Hel in Norse Mythology

The Keeper of the Dead

Hel’s primary role is to provide a home for the souls of those who do not die heroically. These include:

  • The elderly.
  • Those who succumb to illness or misfortune.
  • Individuals deemed dishonorable.

Though her realm is not a place of torment, it is often depicted as cold, dark, and somber, reflecting the Norse view of death as a natural but stark reality.

Balder’s Death

Hel plays a pivotal role in the myth of Balder, the beloved god of light. After Balder is killed, Odin’s son Hermod travels to Hel’s realm to plead for his return. Hel agrees, but on the condition that all creatures in the world must weep for Balder. When the giantess Thökk (often believed to be Loki in disguise) refuses, Hel keeps Balder in her realm, solidifying her role as an unyielding arbiter of death.

Hel and Ragnarök

Hel’s connection to her father, Loki, ties her to the events of Ragnarök, the Norse apocalypse. During this cataclysmic event, Hel’s forces—the dishonored dead—rise alongside Loki to fight against the gods. This association with cosmic upheaval cements her as a figure of both inevitability and change.

Cultural Significance

Hel in Pre-Christian Scandinavia

Hel’s name is etymologically related to words meaning “conceal” or “hidden,” reflecting the mysterious nature of death. Unlike the Christian Hell, Hel’s realm was not a place of eternal punishment but a neutral destination for the majority of the dead. However, it carried an air of sorrow and separation, as it represented the final severance from the living world.

Christian Influence

As Christianity spread in Scandinavia, Hel’s realm began to be conflated with the Christian concept of Hell. This shift portrayed Hel in a more negative light, emphasizing punishment and moral judgment.

Hel in Modern Media

Hel’s enigmatic nature and her role as ruler of the dead make her a compelling figure in contemporary storytelling.

Books

  • Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology: Hel is portrayed faithfully to the original myths, with a focus on her somber yet fair role as a ruler of the dead.
  • Rick Riordan’s Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series: Hel appears as a cold, calculating figure, aligned with her mythological roots but with modern flair.

Movies and TV

  • In Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok, Hel is reimagined as Hela, Thor’s sister and the goddess of death. Played by Cate Blanchett, she combines elements of Hel with a more aggressive, vengeful persona.
  • Hel appears in the TV series American Gods, highlighting her stark, uncompromising nature.

Video Games

  • Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice: While not directly depicting Hel, the game draws heavily on Norse underworld themes, including the stark, oppressive atmosphere of her realm.
  • SMITE: Hel is a playable character with a dual nature, switching between healing and destruction to mirror her life-and-death duality.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

  1. Custodian of Souls: Hel’s power over the dead makes her a key figure in Norse cosmology.
  2. Impartiality: Unlike gods of war or passion, Hel is neutral and unyielding, representing death’s inevitability.
  3. Cosmic Balance: Hel’s existence ensures the natural order between life, death, and rebirth.

Weaknesses

  1. Limited Scope: Hel’s dominion is confined to her realm, with little influence over the living world.
  2. Ambiguity: Her neutral nature can make her seem cold or indifferent, leading to a negative perception.
  3. Tied to Fate: As with all Norse figures, Hel cannot escape the fated events of Ragnarök, where her role becomes destructive.

Legacy of Hel

Hel remains one of the most fascinating figures in Norse mythology. She is not merely a villain but a complex representation of death’s inevitability and neutrality. As a goddess who defies simple categorization, she continues to inspire writers, artists, and creators to explore themes of mortality, power, and the unknown.

Whether depicted as a stern guardian of the dead or a misunderstood figure of compassion, Hel’s mythological resonance endures. She reminds us that death is not the end but a mysterious transition to a realm yet unseen.

What are your favorite depictions of Hel? Let’s explore her cold and shadowed realm together!