HEL
GODDESS OF DEATH

In Norse mythology, Hel is the ruler of the underworld and the goddess of death. She is the daughter of the trickster god Loki and the giantess Angrboða. Her appearance is described as half-dead and half-alive, with one side of her face being beautiful and the other being skeletal. She is often depicted with a staff, which is said to represent the boundary between life and death.

 

According to legend, Hel was banished to the underworld by Odin, who was afraid of her power. There, she built a great hall called Helheim, where the souls of the dead were sent to be judged. Hel was known for being a fair judge, but she was also cold and unfeeling. She was not interested in the affairs of the living and rarely interacted with the gods or mortals.

 

Despite her fearsome reputation, Hel was not necessarily an evil goddess. In fact, she was often seen as a necessary part of the cycle of life and death. In Norse mythology, death was not seen as an end, but rather a beginning of a new journey. The dead were sent to Helheim to await their judgment and to be reunited with their ancestors. In this way, Hel played an important role in maintaining the balance of the universe.

 

Hel was not worshipped in the same way as other Norse gods and goddesses, but she was still respected and feared. Many people believed that if they angered her, she would send them to Helheim to suffer for all eternity. For this reason, Hel was often invoked in oaths and curses, and her name was not spoken lightly.

 

Today, Hel is still remembered as one of the most important figures in Norse mythology. Her influence can be seen in modern culture, from video games to comic books. Despite her grim reputation, Hel remains a fascinating and complex character, one who reminds us of the importance of accepting death as a natural part of life.