The Shining God
Baldr is the radiant, gentle son of Odin and Frigg, a god of light, beauty, and goodness so luminous that light shines from him. Beloved by all the Aesir, he dwells in the bright hall Breidablik, where nothing impure may stand. His death is the great turning point of Norse myth — the first sign that Ragnarok is near.
His name may derive from a Proto-Germanic word meaning "lord" or "prince," and is related to Old English bealdor, "hero." Some scholars instead link it to a root meaning "bold" or "bright," fitting his shining nature.
When Baldr begins to dream of his own death, Frigg makes every thing in the world swear never to harm him — overlooking only the mistletoe. The gods amuse themselves by hurling weapons that bounce off him harmlessly, until Loki fashions a mistletoe dart and guides the hand of the blind god Höðr. Baldr falls dead, and the gods' grief is boundless.
Frigg sends a messenger to Hel to beg for his return; the underworld will release him only if every being weeps for him. All do, save one giantess — Loki in disguise — and so Baldr remains among the dead. Yet prophecy holds that he will return after Ragnarok to rule the reborn, peaceful world.
The brightest and best-loved of the gods, dwelling in a hall no impurity may enter.
His killing marks the beginning of the end — yet he is fated to return and rule the world reborn.
Common Questions
How did Baldr die?
He was killed by a dart of mistletoe — the one thing his mother Frigg had not made swear to spare him — thrown by the blind god Höðr under Loki's guidance.
Does Baldr come back to life?
Prophecy says yes. After Ragnarok destroys the old world, Baldr returns from the dead to help rule the renewed and peaceful earth.
