Balder

Balder, also Baldr in Old Norse, is a prominent figure in Norse mythology. He is the son of Odin and Frigg and the brother of Thor and other Æsir. Balder is traditionally associated with light, beauty, innocence, and goodness, and is often depicted as the fairest and most benevolent of the gods. In the surviving myths, he embodies radiance and moral clarity, and his death becomes a pivotal event in the mythic narrative.

The name Balder is usually linked to the Proto-Germanic root for brightness or boldness, reflecting his associations with light and goodness. In the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda, Balder’s character and fate occupy a central place in the story of the gods’ interrelations and the cosmic order.

Balder’s death is the best-known episode concerning him. Frigg obtains oaths from all things not to harm Balder. However, Loki discovers and exploits a single vulnerability: a mistletoe shoot. The blind god Hodr, urged by Loki, throws the mistletoe spear at Balder, killing him. The death triggers profound mourning among the gods and leads to Loki’s punishment by the Æsir. Balder’s fate after death varies by source; he is often associated with Hel, but many accounts also promise his return in the new world after Ragnarök.

The primary sources for Balder are the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, both written in Iceland in the 12th–13th centuries. Balder’s story has influenced later literature, art, and modern adaptations, where he is frequently depicted as a symbol of light and renewal.