Hel (goddess) facts for kids
Hel is a goddess of Norse mythology. Her father is Loki, and her mother is Angrboða, a giantess. Her siblings are Jörmungandr and Fenrir. Her task is to reign over the realm of the dead, also called Hel or Neifelheim, where the dead peacefully go to in the afterlife].
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Family and origins
Hel's parentage is quite unusual. She's the daughter of Loki, the trickster god, and the giantess Angrboða. Loki and Angrboða also had two other children: Jörmungandr (a massive serpent that encircles the world), and Fenrir, a monstrous wolf destined to play a significant role in Ragnarök, the battle that ends the Norse world.
Hel wasn't born in a palace; she emerged from a dark and mysterious place, reflecting her association with the underworld. There's no specific date given for her birth in the surviving Norse texts, as these stories were passed down orally for generations before being written down. The exact timing is lost to history, but her existence is integral to the Norse creation mythos.
Realm
Hel's most significant attribute is her rule over Helheim, the underworld in Norse mythology. Helheim isn't a fiery hell like in some other mythologies. It's more of a shadowy, desolate realm, a place where those who die of illness or old age go. It's not necessarily a place of eternal torment, but rather a somber, quiet existence. Think of it as a place of fading light and quiet stillness.
Helheim is described in various sagas and poems, but the descriptions are often metaphorical and symbolic. It's a land of mist and shadows, a place where the sun never shines. The imagery suggests a cold, desolate landscape, reflecting the nature of death and the passage of time. There are no precise geographical details given, as Helheim is a spiritual realm, not a physical location on a map.
Appearance and attributes
Hel's appearance is often described as half-beautiful and half-decayed. This duality reflects her role as ruler of a realm that is both a part of life and a part of death. One half of her body is radiant and beautiful, while the other is decaying and ghastly.
She's often depicted with a grim expression, reflecting the somber nature of her realm. She's not actively malicious, but she's certainly not welcoming. Her role is to receive those who die and guide them to their final resting place in Helheim. She's not a judge of souls, but rather a caretaker of the dead.
Role in Norse mythology
Hel's role is primarily that of a ruler and caretaker. She doesn't actively interfere in the affairs of the living world, unless directly involved in a specific myth or prophecy. Her power is primarily confined to her realm, Helheim. She doesn't actively seek to harm or punish the living, but her very existence represents the inevitability of death.
Her presence in Norse mythology serves as a reminder of mortality. The Norse people weren't afraid of death; they accepted it as a natural part of life's cycle. Hel's realm wasn't a place of eternal punishment, but a destination for those who passed away. This perspective differs significantly from many other mythologies that focus on a judgment of souls and eternal reward or punishment.
Significance
Hel represents the natural cycle of life and death, the inevitable transition from existence to non-existence. Her realm, Helheim, is a part of the larger cosmos, a necessary component of the balance of the universe.
Images for kids
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"The children of Loki" (1920) by Willy Pogany.
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"Loki's Brood" (1905) by Emil Doepler.
See also
In Spanish: Hela para niños
