heiligr

heiligr is a term that appears in Old Norse literature. It is generally understood to mean "holy" or "sacred." The word is derived from the Proto-Germanic root *hailagaz, which also gave rise to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as the Old English "hāl" (whole, healthy) and the modern German "heilig" (holy).

In the context of Norse mythology and religion, heiligr could be applied to a variety of things. This included gods, divine beings, sacred places like temples or groves, certain objects, and even specific times or rituals deemed to have a special connection to the divine. The concept of heiligr was intertwined with notions of purity, reverence, and the supernatural. It signified something set apart from the ordinary, deserving of respect and often awe.

The precise implications of being heiligr could vary. It might involve ritualistic prohibitions or observances. For example, a heiligr place might be considered taboo to enter without proper preparation or by certain individuals. The term suggests a recognition of a transcendent or powerful force that influenced the natural and human world for the ancient Norse people. While the pagan Norse religion eventually gave way to Christianity, the linguistic roots and conceptual underpinnings of heiligr likely influenced the way similar concepts were understood and expressed in later Scandinavian languages and cultures.