Hel

Overview

Hel is a prominent figure in Norse culture, known as the underworld’s goddess and ruler of the underworld place also named Hel (Hel is name and Hel also is a name of the underworld place).

Hel is one of the children of Loki, the trickster god, and the giantess Angrboda. She has two siblings, the wolf Fenrir and the serpent Jormungandr, both of whom play significant roles in Norse mythological events, particularly Ragnarok.

Hel was assigned as ruler of the Hel underworld place by Odin, Head of the Norse Pantheon of gods. A Hel underworld place is for those who died of illness or naturally by old age, as glorious warriors who died in battles join Odin in Valhalla or Freja in Folkvangr. Hel underworld realm somewhat similar to the concept of the afterlife, though it is neither heaven nor hell in the Christian sense; rather, it’s a place where the dead continue their existence.

Hel’s appearance is often described as being half-alive, half-dead, symbolizing her domain over both life and death. Her role in the myths is relatively understated compared to other figures like Thor or Odin, but she plays a pivotal part in the myths related to death and the afterlife.