Baldur
Baldur (also Balder, Baldr, Balldr)
Lord of Light and Truth in Norse Mythology
In Norse mythology, Baldur is the god of light and the sun, renowned for his beauty, purity, and unwavering truthfulness. He is the son of Odin and Frigga, the husband of Nanna, and the father of Forseti, god of justice and reconciliation. Baldur’s myth, as recorded in the Prose Edda, is among the most complete and emotionally powerful narratives in Norse tradition.
Baldur was troubled by terrible dreams, foretelling his own death. Deeply disturbed, he shared these visions with the other gods, who resolved to prevent the fate they foretold. Frigga, determined to protect her son, traveled throughout the worlds and exacted oaths from all things—fire, water, iron, metals, stones, earths, diseases, beasts, birds, poisons, and creeping creatures—swearing that none would ever harm Baldur.
Once these oaths were secured, the gods amused themselves by hurling weapons at Baldur—darts, swords, and battle-axes—knowing that nothing could injure him. Every object rebounded harmlessly, and Baldur stood unharmed, to the delight of the gods.
The trickster god Loki, however, observed this spectacle with growing resentment. Disguising himself as a woman, he went to Fensalir, the home of Frigga, and asked her why the gods were throwing weapons at Baldur. Frigga explained that Baldur could not be harmed, for she had obtained an oath from all things. Loki pressed further, asking whether everything had sworn to spare him. Frigga replied that all had done so except one small shrub, mistletoe, which grew on the eastern side of Valhalla. She had considered it too young and insignificant to require an oath.
Upon learning this, Loki departed at once. Returning in his true form, he cut a twig of mistletoe and brought it to the assembly of the gods. There he approached Hodur, Baldur’s blind brother, and asked why he was not participating in the sport. Hodur replied that he could not see Baldur and had nothing to throw. Loki offered him the mistletoe twig and guided his hand, directing his aim.
Hodur hurled the mistletoe, and it pierced Baldur, who fell dead to the ground.
The gods were struck with horror and grief, and the sound of lamentation filled Asgard. Frigga declared that she would grant all her love to anyone willing to ride to Hel and offer a ransom for Baldur’s return. Hermod volunteered and journeyed to the realm of the dead, where he found Baldur seated in the place of highest honor in Hel’s hall.
Hermod pleaded with Hela, goddess of death, telling her that the entire world mourned Baldur. Hela replied that Baldur would be allowed to return to Asgard only if all things, living and lifeless, wept for him. If even one thing refused, Baldur would remain in Hel.
Messengers were sent throughout the world, and all things wept for Baldur. As they returned, confident of success, they encountered an old hag named Thaukt, seated in a cavern. When asked to weep for Baldur, she refused. The Prose Edda concludes this episode with the remark that it was strongly suspected that this hag was none other than Loki himself, who never ceased to bring evil upon the gods.
Baldur remained in Hel, and his death became one of the defining tragedies of Norse mythology—a symbol of lost innocence and the coming doom of the gods at Ragnarök.
Baldur’s myth later inspired Matthew Arnold’s long narrative poem Balder Dead.
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow
Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante
———–
Balder, Odin and Frigg’s son, is the fairest of all Aesir spirits, merciful, kind, and wise. Lord of joy, light, purity, friendship, reconciliation, and innocence, he is beloved by all. Well, almost all.
Balder had ominous dreams, which the Aesir recognized as portents of doom. His mother, determined to save him, travelled around the world extracting oaths from everything on Earth, making them promise never to harm Balder. She extracted vows from all living creatures and everything formed of metal, stone, and wood. The sole exception was mistletoe, which she considered too insignificant to pose a threat.
Frigg returned to Asgard, reassured of Balder’s safety. The other Aesir amused themselves by throwing things at Balder (darts, hard objects), knowing that he could not be harmed. Observing these antics, a strange woman, maybe Loki in disguise, maybe his twin Angerboda, asked Frigg to explain. The woman asked whether everyone had sworn the oath. Frigg, still underestimating mistletoe, revealed the exception.
Later Loki handed a bit of mistletoe to Hoder, Balder’s blind brother, and, guiding his hand, persuaded him to throw it. The mistletoe pierced Balder’s heart, killing him instantly.
Balder plays a prominent role in the Xbox 360 action role-playing game “Too Human.”
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Baldr; Baldur; Lord Balder
ORIGIN:
Norse
CLASSIFICATION:
Aesir
MANIFESTATION:
He’s not called “Balder the Beautiful” for nothing. He is radiant.
Consort:
Nanna
Son:
Forseti, spirit of justice and peace
COLOURS:
The yellow-gold spectrum, shining white
Sacred plants:
Various plants are popularly called Balder’s Eyebrows, including valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and Mayweed (Matricaria perforata and M. maritima).
Realm:
Balder’s hall is called Breidablik (“Broad Splendor”).
Rune:
Sowulu
SEE ALSO:
- Norse Mythology
- Aesir
- Angerboda
- Frigg
- Hel
- Loki
- Odin
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.