The Nature of Hel in Norse Mythology
In Old Norse tradition, Hel, often pronounced similar to “Hell,” signifies the underworld where many souls reside post-mortem. Governed by a formidable goddess known as Hel, this realm is sometimes called “Helheim” or “The Realm of Hel,” although these terms are more frequently found in scholarly discussions than in the original Norse texts. Hel’s imagined location is typically beneath the earth, aligning it with the cold, dark attributes of a grave. Some accounts describe a canine guardian at its threshold, drawing parallels to the mythological Cerberus from Greek lore.
Understanding Hel
The term Hel and its Christian counterpart, Hell, derive from a shared Proto-Germanic root. Linguists believe this origin can be traced back to *haljo, meaning “concealed place,” which has influenced the nomenclature for the underworld across various Germanic tongues. Thus, what we refer to as “Hell” in modern English stems from old usage, where hel or helle denoted a pagan underworld. While both concepts represent realms of the deceased below the surface, their paradigms differ significantly. The transition to Christian thought involved using similar language to describe a totally different moral framework, indicating rewards or punishments based on earthly actions, a notion absent in Norse beliefs where the afterlife outcomes don’t correlate to a person’s moral compass.
Old Norse literature suggests that Hel is depicted more positively, often highlighting it as a realm where the dead lead lives akin to their earthly experiences. The inhabitants partake in familiar activities—eating, drinking, and resting—thereby framing Hel less as a realm of torment or eternal happiness, but rather a continued existence in another form.
Many of the surviving Old Norse sources provide a vivid description of Hel, although only a single work, Snorri Sturluson’s Prose Edda, portrays it negatively. Snorri, writing long after the decline of Norse pagan practices, had a tendency to reinterpret historical Norse beliefs through a lens colored by Christian ideology. His depiction includes comically exaggerated names for various elements in Hel, such as Hunger for the goddess herself and other absurd representations. Few historians support his descriptions as necessarily reflective of initial Viking beliefs.
The Path to Hel
The journey to Hel is described in greater detail in Norse sagas, frequently referred to as Helvegr, meaning “The Road/Way to Hel.” The narratives detailing these travels suggest a connection to shamanistic traditions, recounting steers taken by gods or humans into the underworld seeking knowledge or to reclaim lost souls.
For instance, a narrative from Saxo Grammaticus’s Gesta Danorum presents Hadding, who, alongside a woman guiding him, traverses realms that transform from mist to fertile land adorned with herbs. As they traverse a roaring river, they encounter fallen warriors engaged in endless combat. This story aligns with Norse funeral customs observed by travelers, echoing interpretations of journeys to the afterlife.
Another tale worth mentioning involves Hermod, who rides to Hel in a bid to recover Baldur, the god slain by Loki. Snorri records this account, but it closely mirrors other mythic narratives about underworld traversals, indicating reliance on ancient narratives that may no longer exist. Hermod’s voyage takes him through shadowy valleys, across a fierce river protected by a giantess, and eventually leads him to Hel’s enchanted hall.
Common aspects of the narratives, as represented in both Snorri’s and Saxo’s writings, suggest Hel’s dominion is situated deep underground and towards the north—a cold, desolate expanse. The traveling accounts share a thematic approach, emphasizing guides assisting the living souls, meandering through darkness, crossing tumultuous rivers, and confronting the walls of Hel. Essentially, these tales depict Hel not merely as a destination but as a complex landscape with challenges to surmount for both the living and the dead.
In conclusion, Hel in Norse mythology is nuanced and layered, symbolizing more than mere suffering or eternal pain; it reflects the continuous cycle of life, death, and the afterlife.
