Study › Runes & Norse › Baldr the Good
Baldr (also Baldur) is the fairest and most loved of the Norse gods, son of Odin and Frigg, so bright that light shines from him. His death by a mistletoe dart, guided by Loki, is the great tragedy of the myths.
Who is Baldr in Norse mythology?
Baldr is the fairest and most beloved of the gods, son of Odin and Frigg, radiant, gentle and wise. So bright is his nature that he is said to shine, and while he lives the light of goodness rests on Asgard.
He is called Baldr the Good because the Prose Edda says he is the best of the gods and everyone praises him. He is so fair and bright that light shines from him.
What is Baldr the god of?
- Domains — light, beauty, innocence, grief
- World — Asgard
- Animal — horse
- Offerings — beer, wine, milk, white bread, honey; a gold ring, white flowers
- Herbs — chamomile, mistletoe · Wood — mistletoe · Metal — gold
Kin — Parents: Odin and Frigg · Consort: Nanna · Child: Forseti
The death of Baldr
His death is the great tragedy of the myths and the omen of the world's end. Troubled by dreams of his own doom, the gods sought to protect him: Frigg drew an oath from all things not to harm him, but overlooked the mistletoe. Loki, learning this, guided the hand of Baldr's blind brother Hodr to throw a mistletoe dart, which killed him. When Hel agreed to release Baldr only if every creature would weep for him, one giantess — Loki in disguise — refused, and so Baldr remained among the dead, to return only in the reborn world after Ragnarok.
His mother is Frigg, his killer's hand was Hodr's, and he waits in Hel until Ragnarok.
Questions
How did Baldr die?
Loki gave his blind brother Hodr a dart of mistletoe, the one thing that had not sworn to spare Baldr, and guided his aim.
Does Baldr come back?
Yes. After Ragnarok he returns from Hel to the new world.
Who are Baldr's parents?
Odin and Frigg.