The Beloved God Baldr: Light, Hope, and Tragedy in Norse Mythology
Good morning, afternoon, evening, or night - depending on where you’re reading from in Miðgarðr! I’ve been reflecting on the Norse gods and which one I feel most drawn to. Today, I want to share my thoughts on the god of beauty, radiance, hope, and joy himself: Baldr. I hope you’ll enjoy this as much as I enjoyed putting it together.
Norse mythology is filled with gods and goddesses whose mysterious powers and rich stories continue to fascinate us. Among them all, none is described as more beloved by both gods and men than Baldr. But who was this most blessed of the gods? And why is he remembered most for his death?
Baldr was the god of light, joy, purity, and summer, often described as the most beloved figure in all mythology. He was so radiant that light was said to shine from him, and even flowers were thought to bow as he passed. In the myths, he is portrayed as the height of perfection: the fairest and wisest among the gods of Ásgarðr. His name may come from the Old Norse word for “bold,” though others link it to bhel meaning “white,” or bál meaning “fire.” Another suggestion is Baldur, “lord.” Despite different interpretations, Baldr is remembered as a figure of radiance and nobility.
He was the son of Óðinn, the ruler of war and wisdom, and Frigg, the goddess of marriage, fertility, and motherhood. He had a wife, Nanna, and a son, Forseti. Nanna is a somewhat mysterious figure - sometimes listed as a goddess, sometimes as a mortal, the daughter of King Gevarr. In one story, she chose a human named Höðr over Baldr, a decision that left him in despair before she later became his wife. Their son Forseti, the god of justice, was known for his peaceful nature. He lived in Glitnir, a hall with a silver roof and golden pillars that shone with light, where he served as a divine judge and mediator. Baldr himself dwelled in Breiðablik, the “broad-gleaming” hall, said to be so pure that nothing impure could enter.
Despite being described as the best of the gods, no tales of Baldr’s heroics survive. Instead, his most important role is his death, which set in motion the events of Ragnarök. Baldr began to dream of his own death, which greatly troubled his mother Frigg. She traveled through the Nine Realms, extracting oaths from everything never to harm her son. Because of this, Baldr was invulnerable, and the gods amused themselves by throwing weapons at him, which bounced harmlessly away.
But Loki, ever the trickster, discovered that Frigg had overlooked one thing: the young and seemingly harmless mistletoe. Disguised as an old woman, he drew this secret from her, then fashioned a dart from mistletoe. Approaching Baldr’s blind brother Höðr, Loki placed the dart in his hand and guided his aim. When Höðr threw it, the dart pierced Baldr and killed him instantly.
The gods were thrown into despair. Hermóðr, another son of Óðinn, rode to Hel to plead for Baldr’s return. The goddess Hel agreed, but only if all things in the world, living and dead, wept for him. Everything did, except for one figure named Þökk, often believed to be Loki in disguise, who refused. Because of this single refusal, Baldr remained in the underworld.
At his funeral, Baldr’s ship Hringhorni was set ablaze, carrying his body, his wife Nanna (who died of grief) and many treasures. Þórr, overwhelmed with rage, kicked the dwarf Litr into the flames. To avenge Baldr, Óðinn fathered a son named Váli, who grew to manhood in a single day and slew Höðr, though he had been only a pawn of Loki. For his crime, Loki was eventually bound with chains beneath a serpent that dripped venom onto his face for eternity.
Why did Loki do it? Some say jealousy, as Baldr was universally loved. Others believe it was chaos for its own sake, or even fate—that Loki acted to bring about Ragnarök. Whatever his reason, the result was the same: the death of the most beloved god, and the unraveling of harmony among the Æsir.
The story of Baldr reflects themes of love, vulnerability, betrayal, and fate. His light still shines in modern culture and spiritual traditions. His radiance inspires art and jewelry; many modern pagans see him as a symbol of light, rebirth, and renewal; and his tragic story reminds us of the balance between joy and sorrow, light and darkness. Perhaps the greatest lesson of Baldr’s tale is that fate cannot be escaped. Rather than resist it, we must live fully, embracing both blessings and trials.
Thank you for joining me on this exploration of Baldr, the shining god of Norse myth. His story reminds us of beauty, hope, and light - even in the face of tragedy. Hail the gods. Hail the ancestors.
