Baldur, pronounced as “BALD-er,” is a prominent figure among the Aesir gods, being the offspring of Odin and Frigg, marrying the lesser-known goddess Nanna, and fathering Forseti, another deity in Norse mythology. Revered by gods and beings alike for his extraordinary beauty and cheerful disposition, he is so luminous that he radiates light.
Discussions surrounding the meaning and origin of Baldur’s name are diverse and have sparked significant academic interest. Some suggest it comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *bhel-, which means “white.” Others link it to Old Norse bál, meaning “fire,” or propose a term for “lord” that is found across various Germanic languages. Nevertheless, the most compelling explanation is its derivation from the Old Norse word baldr, which translates to “bold.” Scholars, however, hesitate to embrace this interpretation due to its implication that Baldur might possess a warlike nature, which stands in contrast to his depiction in the Prose Edda — a primary literary source that describes him as largely innocent and gentle.
The Prose Edda, compiled by the 13th-century Norwegian historian Snorri Sturluson, is where we find the most thorough narrative of Baldur’s tale, particularly concerning his demise and resurrection. The story unfolds as Baldur begins to have ominous dreams foretelling his death, prompting his mother, Frigg, to extract oaths of safety from every entity in existence. This leads the other gods to engage in playful antics, throwing various weapons at Baldur, only to see them harmlessly bounce off him.
Loki, known as the crafty trickster among the gods, perceived an opportunity for chaos. He cleverly asked Frigg if she had overlooked any potential threats in her oath-gathering efforts. She mentioned mistletoe, deeming it too insignificant to warrant caution. Seizing the moment, Loki created a spear from mistletoe and deceived the blind god, Hodr, into striking Baldur, resulting in his tragic death.
In despair, the gods determined that someone should venture to the underworld in hopes of retrieving Baldur from Hel, the death goddess. Hermod, another son of Odin, volunteered for this perilous task. Riding Odin’s famed steed, Sleipnir, he descended through the world-tree to Hel’s dim underground abode. There, he found Baldur seated beside Hel, eager to convince her to return his sibling. Hel agreed to release Baldur, provided that everything in existence cried out in mourning for him.
Indeed, the world wept for Baldur, save for one beings—a giantess named Þökk, believed to be Loki in disguise, refused to lament, sealing Baldur’s fate to remain in Hel’s dreary domain.
Although this primary account by Snorri is rich, it is not the only narrative regarding Baldur’s death. Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus offers a contrasting view, where Baldur is portrayed livelier, displaying a penchant for battle and war—a profile significantly different from the one painted by Snorri. This variation is reflected in poetic references and historical artifacts predating the Viking Age, indicating a complex legacy for Baldur that intertwines martial attributes with themes of heroism and sacrifice.
Further references to Baldur can be found in Anglo-Saxon texts and the Second Merseburg Charm, but overall, explicit mentions of him are infrequent across ancient sources. Despite this scarcity, it is evident that Baldur held a significant place of esteem within the hearts of the Vikings and possibly among other Germanic tribes.
For those eager to dive deeper into Norse mythology, several resources exist that offer extensive insights into these ancient tales and beliefs.
