Balder is the son of Odin and Frigg, and with his friendliness, gentleness and wisdom, he is loved by everyone in Asgard. He is so attractive that light shines all around him. Balder is married to Nanna and they live in Breidablick.
The myths about Balder are about this death and the attempts to bring him back from the underworld. But he does not return until the destruction of the world in Ragnarök.
Balder’s dreams
When Balder had a horrible dream that his life was in danger, Frigg demanded an oath from every creature and object in the world that they would not harm Balder. However, she missed out one plant, the mistletoe, because she thought it was small and insignificant. This turned out to be a big mistake. When the gods were having fun shooting arrows at the “invincible” Balder, things went badly wrong.
Treacherous Loki was jealous, so he disguised himself as a woman and discovered from Frigg that the mistletoe had never given an oath not to harm Balder. He had an arrow made from mistletoe and during the games he gave it to Balder’s blind brother Hodor and tricked him into shooting Balder. Balder fell down dead – and this was the most terrible accident ever to hit gods and people alike.
Balder’s body was laid out on his boat Ringhorn. When his wife Nanna saw him lying there, she died of grief. The gods laid her next to Balder on the funeral ship and Odin placed the magical ring Draupnir on Balder’s funeral pyre to accompany him to the underworld.
Balder’s brother Hermod was sent to the underworld to ask the goddess Hel, ruler of the underworld, to return Balder to them. Hermod borrowed Sleipnir, his father Odin’s eight-legged horse, for the journey. It took nine days to make it through the dark valleys and over the high mountains.
Hel promised to let Balder return to Asgard on the condition that all the beings in nature wept for him. And everyone did – except the giantess Tökk, who sat in her cave and refused to shed a tear. Sometimes it is said that Tökk was Loki in disguise.
This meant that Balder could not return! Hermod did, however, bring back the ring Draupnir.
Balder is so attractive that light shines all around him. Balder is married to Nanna and they live in Breidablick.
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Balder, the Beloved Son of Odin and Frigg: Balder, the son of Odin and Frigg, is portrayed as a deity loved by everyone in Asgard due to his friendliness, gentleness, and wisdom. The mention of Balder's attractiveness, causing light to shine all around him, reflects his divine and radiant nature, a key aspect of his character in Norse mythology.
Marriage to Nanna and Residence in Breidablick: The article notes that Balder is married to Nanna, and they reside in Breidablick. Breidablick is described in Norse mythology as a splendid, elevated dwelling associated with Balder. It is often depicted as a place of great beauty and divine tranquility, emphasizing the idyllic nature of Balder's life.
Balder's Horrible Dream and Frigg's Protective Oath: The narrative introduces Balder's premonitory dream, a crucial event triggering subsequent events. Frigg, in an attempt to safeguard Balder, extracts an oath from every entity in the world, ensuring they would not harm him. The oversight involving mistletoe, perceived as small and insignificant, becomes a tragic oversight with far-reaching consequences.
The Mistletoe Betrayal and Loki's Deception: The tale takes a tragic turn when treacherous Loki, fueled by jealousy, discovers the mistletoe's omission from the protective oath. Loki, in disguise as a woman, deceives Frigg and procures mistletoe, fashioning an arrow. The subsequent events unfold during a game where the supposedly invincible Balder becomes a victim of Loki's deceitful plot, resulting in his untimely death.
Balder's Death and Nanna's Grief: Balder's demise leads to profound grief, particularly for his wife Nanna, who, upon witnessing his lifeless form, succumbs to sorrow and dies. The gods lay Nanna beside Balder on a funeral ship, emphasizing the tragic and somber atmosphere surrounding Balder's passing.
Hermod's Journey to the Underworld: Balder's brother, Hermod, embarks on a perilous journey to the underworld to plead with the goddess Hel for Balder's return. The journey, undertaken on Odin's eight-legged horse Sleipnir, involves navigating dark valleys and high mountains, symbolizing the challenging quest to overcome death and reach the realm of Hel.
Failed Bargain with Hel and Tökk's Involvement: Hel, ruler of the underworld, agrees to allow Balder's return on the condition that all beings in nature weep for him. However, the giantess Tökk, possibly Loki in disguise, refuses to shed a tear, thwarting the bargain. This pivotal moment denies Balder's return to Asgard, adding a layer of tragedy to the myth.
Conclusion and Symbolism: The retelling of Balder's myth encapsulates themes of betrayal, tragedy, and the inevitability of fate. The symbolism of light surrounding Balder underscores his divine nature, while the mistletoe becomes a symbol of overlooked vulnerability. The narrative weaves together elements of family, deceit, and the struggle against mortality, contributing to the enduring appeal and complexity of Norse mythology.
