Also known as: Baldr, Balder, The Beautiful, The Shining One
light
purity
beauty
love
innocence
The most beloved of all gods, son of Odin and Frigg. God of light, purity, and beauty. His death, orchestrated by Loki using mistletoe, is one of the great tragedies leading to Ragnarok.
Baldur is the son of Odin and Frigg, so beautiful and bright that light shines from him. He is the wisest, most eloquent, and most gracious of the Aesir.
The Death of Baldur
Plagued by dreams of his death, his mother Frigg made everything in creation swear not to harm him. The gods amused themselves by throwing weapons at him, as they bounced off harmlessly. But Loki discovered the mistletoe had not sworn. He tricked the blind god Hodr into throwing a mistletoe dart, which pierced Baldur's heart, killing him instantly and plunging the worlds into grief.
Origin Story
Baldur was born to Odin, the Allfather, and Frigg, the Queen of Asgard. From his earliest days, he radiated such beauty and light that all who beheld him loved him instantly. He grew to become the most beloved of all the Aesir, admired by gods and mortals alike. He married the goddess Nanna, and together they lived in his hall Breidablik, the most splendid dwelling in Asgard, where nothing unclean could enter. His twin brother was Hodr, the blind god, with whom his fate would become tragically intertwined.
Primary Sources
Historical texts and references
“He is so fair of face and so bright that rays of light issue from him; and there is a plant so white that it is likened unto Balder's brow, and it is the whitest of all plants.”
