View source for Hel (location)

{{short description|Location in Norse mythology and paganism}}
{{For|the location in Poland|Hel, Poland|Hel Peninsula}}
{{redirect|Helheim|the glacier in Greenland|Helheim Glacier|the band|Helheim (band)}}
[[Image:Odin rides to Hel.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|"Odin Rides to Hel" (1908) by [[W. G. Collingwood]]]]
	
'''Hel''' ([[Old Norse]]: {{IPA|non|ˈhel|}}) is an [[Death in Norse paganism|afterlife location]] in [[Norse mythology]] and [[Old Norse religion|paganism]]. It is ruled over by a being of the same name, [[Hel (being)|Hel]]. In late [[Iceland]]ic sources, varying descriptions of Hel are given and various figures are described as being buried with items that will facilitate their journey to Hel after their death {{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}. In the ''[[Poetic Edda]]'', [[Brynhildr]]'s trip to Hel after her death is described and [[Odin]], while alive, also visits Hel upon his horse [[Sleipnir]]. In the ''[[Prose Edda]]'', [[Baldr]] goes to Hel on his death and subsequently [[Hermóðr]] uses Sleipnir to attempt to retrieve him.

==Etymology==
The Old Norse feminine proper noun ''Hel'' is identical to the name of the entity that presides over the realm. The word has [[cognate]]s in all branches of the [[Germanic languages]], including [[Old English]] {{Lang|ang|hell}} (and thus Modern English ''[[hell]]''), [[Old Frisian]] ''helle'', [[Old Saxon]] ''hellia'', [[Old High German]] ''{{Lang|goh|hella}}'', and [[Gothic language|Gothic]] ''[[:wikt:𐌷𐌰𐌻𐌾𐌰|𐌷𐌰𐌻𐌾𐌰]]''. All forms ultimately derive from the [[Linguistic reconstruction|reconstructed]] [[Proto-Germanic]] feminine noun *''haljō'' ('concealed place, the underworld'). In turn, the Proto-Germanic form derives from the [[Indo-European ablaut|o-grade form]] of the [[Proto-Indo-European root]] *''kel-'', *''kol''-: 'to cover, conceal, save'.<ref name="HEL-NOUN">For discussion and analysis, see Orel (2003:156) and Watkins (2000:38).</ref>

The term is etymologically related to Modern English ''hall'' and therefore also ''[[Valhalla]]'', an afterlife 'hall of the slain' in Norse Mythology. ''Hall'' and its numerous Germanic cognates derive from Proto-Germanic *''hallō'' 'covered place, hall', from Proto-Indo-European *''kol-''.<ref name="HELL-HALL">This is highlighted in Watkins (2000:38).</ref>

Related early Germanic terms and concepts include Proto-Germanic *''halja-rūnō(n)'', a feminine compound noun, and *''halja-wītjan'', a neutral compound noun. This form is reconstructed from the Latinized Gothic plural noun *''[[Haliurunas|haliurunnae]]'' (attested by [[Jordanes]]; according to philologist [[Vladimir Orel]], meaning '[[witchcraft|witches]]'), Old English ''{{Lang|ang|helle-rúne}}'' ('sorceress, [[necromancer]]', according to Orel), and Old High German ''{{Lang|goh|helli-rūna}}'' 'magic'. The compound is composed of two elements: *''haljō'' and *''rūnō'', the Proto-Germanic precursor to Modern English ''[[runic alphabet|rune]]''.<ref name="HELL-RUNE">See discussion at Orel (2003:155-156 & 310).</ref> The second element in the Gothic ''{{Lang|got|haliurunnae}}'' may however instead be an agent noun from the verb ''rinnan'' ("to run, go"), which would make its literal meaning "one who travels to the netherworld".<ref>Scardigli, Piergiuseppe, Die Goten: Sprache und Kultur (1973) pp. 70-71.</ref><ref>Lehmann, Winfred, A Gothic Etymological Dictionary (1986)</ref>

Proto-Germanic *''halja-wītjan'' is reconstructed from Old Norse ''{{Lang|non|hel-víti}}'' 'hell', Old English ''{{Lang|ang|helle-wíte}}'' 'hell-torment, hell', Old Saxon ''helli-wīti'' 'hell', and the Middle High German feminine noun ''{{Lang|gmh|helle-wīze}}''. The compound is a compound of *''haljō'' (discussed above) and *''wītjan'' (reconstructed from forms such as Old English ''{{Lang|ang|witt}}'' 'right mind, wits', Old Saxon ''gewit'' 'understanding', and Gothic ''{{Lang|got|un-witi}}'' 'foolishness, understanding').<ref name="HELVÍTI">Orel (2003:156 & 464).</ref>

==Attestations==
===''Poetic Edda''===
In reference to Hel, in the poem ''[[Völuspá]]'', a [[völva]] states that Hel will play an important role in [[Ragnarök]]. The völva states that a crowing "sooty-red cock from the halls of Hel" is one of three cocks that will signal one of the beginning events of Ragnarök. The other two are Fjalar in [[Jotunheim]] and Gullinkambi in [[Valhalla]].<ref>The name of this rooster is nowhere stated. In ''[[Völuspá]]'', it is only referred to as a "sooty-red cock in the halls of Hel" that "crows down below the earth" (Larrington translation).</ref>

In ''[[Grímnismál]]'' stanza 31, Hel is listed as existing beneath one of the three roots of the world tree [[Yggdrasil]]. One of the other two leads to the [[Jötunn|frost jötnar]] and the third to Mankind. In ''[[Guðrúnarkviða I]]'', as Herborg tells of her grief in having prepared funeral arrangements for various members of her family, her children and her husbands, described it as "arranging their journey to Hel".<ref name=LARRINGTON>Larrington (1996).</ref>

In the short poem ''[[Helreið Brynhildar]]'', Hel is directly referenced as a location in the title, translating to "Brynhild's Hel-Ride". While riding along a road on the border of Hel in a lavish cart (the cart her corpse was burnt within), [[Brynhildr]] encounters a dead [[gýgr]] at a [[burial mound]] belonging to her. This results in a heated exchange, during which Brynhildr tells of her life.

In ''[[Baldrs draumar]]'', [[Odin]] rides to the edge of Hel to investigate nightmares that [[Baldr]] has had. He uses a spell to bring to life the corpse of a völva. Odin introduces himself under a false name and pretense and asks for information from the völva relating to Baldr's dreams. The völva reluctantly proceeds to produce prophecies regarding the events of [[Ragnarök]].

The poem gives some information regarding the geographic location of Hel in parallel to the description in the Prose Edda, which may be related to the fact that it was not included in the Codex Regius but is instead a later addition.<ref name=LARRINGTON/> [[Niflhel]] is mentioned as being just outside Hel. The bloody [[Garmr]] makes an appearance, encountering Odin on Odin's ride to Hel. Odin continues down the road and approaches Hel, which is described as the "high hall of Hel."<ref name=LARRINGTON/> There he proceeds to the grave of the völva near the eastern doors where the descriptions of Hel end.

===''Prose Edda''===
In the ''[[Prose Edda]]'', more detailed information is given about the location, including a detailed account of a venture to the region after the death of the god [[Baldr]]. [[Snorri Sturluson|Snorri]]'s descriptions of Hel in the ''Prose Edda'' are not corroborated outside ''[[Baldrs draumar]]'', which does not appear in the original [[Codex Regius]] but is a later addition often included with modern editions of the ''Poetic Edda''.

====''Gylfaginning''====
In the book ''[[Gylfaginning]]'', Hel is introduced in chapter 3 as a location where "evil men" go upon death, and into [[Niflhel]]. The chapter further details that Hel is in the ninth of the [[Norse cosmology|Nine Worlds]].<ref name=BYOCK12>Byock (2006:12).</ref>

In chapter 34, [[Hel (being)|Hel, the being]] is introduced. [[Snorri Sturluson|Snorri]] writes that Hel was cast down into Hel by Odin who "made her ruler over Nine Worlds". Snorri further writes that there Hel is located in [[Niflheim]]. Here it is related that she could give out lodging and items to those sent to her that have died of disease or old age. A very large dwelling is described as existing in Niflheim owned by Hel with huge walls and gates. The within of this place is called [[Éljúðnir]], where Hel is described as having a servant, a slave and various possessions.<ref name=BYOCK39>Byock (2006:39).</ref>

At the end of chapter 49, the death of Baldr and [[Nanna (Norse deity)|Nanna]] is described. [[Hermóðr]], described as Baldr's brother in this source, sets out for Hel on horseback to retrieve the deceased Baldr.<ref name=BYOCK67-69/> To enter Hel, Hermóðr rides for [[Numbers in Norse mythology|nine nights]] through "valleys so deep and dark that he saw nothing" until he arrives at the river [[Gjöll]] ("Noisy") and the [[Gjallarbrú|Gjöll bridge]]. The bridge is described as having a roof made of shining gold. Hermóðr then proceeds to cross it. Hermóðr encounters [[Móðguð]], who is the guard of the bridge ("Furious Battler").<ref name=BYOCK67-69>Byock (2006:67-69).</ref>

Móðguð speaks to Hermóðr and comments that the bridge echoes beneath him more than the entire party of five people who had just passed. This is a reference to Baldr, Nanna and those that were burnt in their funeral pyre passing over the bridge on death. Móðguð also says that the dead in Hel appear as a different color than the living and tells him that to get to Hel he must go "down and to the North" where he would find the Road to Hel.<ref name=BYOCK67-69/>

Continuing along the Road to Hel, Hermóðr encounters the Gates of Hel. Hermóðr remounts and spurs Sleipnir, and the two bound far over it. Hermóðr proceeds further beyond the gates for some distance before arriving at the hall, dismounting and entering. There Hermóðr sees Baldr sitting in a "seat of honor" and Hermóðr spends a night in Hel. The following day, Hermóðr presses Hel, the being, to allow Baldr to leave. Hel gives him an offer and then Baldr leads him out of the hall. Baldr then gives Hermóðr various gifts from Nanna and himself to bring from Hel to the living Æsir. Hermóðr then retraces his path back to the land of the living. Hel's offer fails and in chapter 50, [[Loki]] is blamed for Baldr remaining in Hel.<ref name=BYOCK67-69/>

In chapter 53, Hel is mentioned a final time in the ''Prose Edda''.<ref name=BYOCK77>Byock (2006:77).</ref> Here, [[Höðr]] and Baldr are mentioned as returning from Hel in a post-[[Ragnarök]] world:

{|
| style="padding: 1pt 10pt;" |
''Því næst koma þar Baldr ok Höðr frá Heljar, setjask þá allir samt ok talask við ok minnask á rúnar sínar ok rœða of tíðindi þau er fyrrum höfðu verit, of Miðgarðsorm ok um Fenrisúlf.'' - [http://www.hi.is/~eybjorn/gg/ggrpar51.html Eysteinn Björnsson's edition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426052537/http://www3.hi.is/~eybjorn/gg/ggrpar51.html |date=2009-04-26 }}
| style="padding: 1pt 10pt;" |
"After that Baldr shall come thither, and Hödr, from Hel; then all shall sit down together
and hold speech with one another, and call to mind their secret wisdom, and speak of those
happenings which have been before: of the [[Midgard Serpent]] and of [[Fenrir|Fenris-Wolf]]." - [http://www.northvegr.org/lore/prose/081085.php Brodeur's translation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071231121141/http://www.northvegr.org/lore/prose/081085.php |date=2007-12-31 }}
|
|}

===''Gesta Danorum''===
Book I of ''[[Gesta Danorum]]'' contains an account of what has often been interpreted as a trip to Hel. While having dinner, King [[Hadingus]] is visited by a woman bearing stalks of [[Conium|hemlock]] who asks him if he knows where such fresh herbs grow in winter. Hadingus wants to know; so the woman muffles him with her cloak, pulls him into the ground, and they vanish. [[Saxo Grammaticus|Saxo]] reasons that the gods wished for Hadingus to visit in the flesh where he will go when he dies.<ref name=FISHER30-31>Davidson (1998:30-31).</ref>

The two penetrate a dark and misty cloud, and then continue along a path worn from heavy use over the ages. The two see men wearing rich-looking robes, and nobles wearing purple. Passing them, they finally reach sunny regions where the herbs the woman presented Hadingus grow.<ref name=FISHER30-31/>

Hadingus and the woman continue until they arrived at a river of blue-black water that is fast-moving, full of rapids, and filled with various weapons. They cross the bridge, and see two "strongly-matched" armies meeting. Hadingus asks the woman about their identity, and she responds that they are men that have met their death by sword, and that they present an everlasting display of their destruction while attempting to equal the activity of their past lives.<ref name=FISHER30-31/>

Moving forward, the two encounter a wall that they cannot find a way over. The woman attempts to leap over it, but despite her slender and wrinkled body, cannot. The woman removes the head of a cock that she was carrying and throws it over the wall. The bird crows immediately; it has returned to life. Hadingus returns to his wife, and foils a threat by pirates.<ref name=FISHER30-31/>

==Theories==
[[Hilda Ellis Davidson]], writing on Snorri's unique description of Hel in his Prose Edda, states that "it seems likely that Snorri's account of the underworld is chiefly his own work" and that the idea that the dead entering Hel who have died of sickness and old age may have been an attempt on Snorri's part to reconcile the tradition with his description of [[Valhalla]], citing that "the one detailed account of Hel" that Snorri gives is that of Baldr entering Hel without dying of old age or sickness. Davidson writes that Snorri was potentially using a "rich source" unknown to us for his description of Hel, though it may not have told him very much about the location beyond that it was a hall and that Snorri's description of Hel may at times be influenced by [[Christianity|Christian]] teachings about the after-life.<ref name=HRROADTO>Davidson (1968).</ref>

==See also==
*[[Helreginn]], a [[jötunn]] whose name means "ruler over Hel"
*[[Náströnd]]
*[[Hekla]]
*[[Death in Norse paganism]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
* Byock, Jesse (Trans.) (2006). ''The Prose Edda''. [[Penguin Classics]]. {{ISBN|0-14-044755-5}}.
* [[Calvert Watkins|Watkins, Calvert]] (2000). ''The American Heritage Dictionary of Indo-European Roots''. [[Houghton Mifflin Company]]. ISBN 0-395-98610-9
* [[Hilda Ellis Davidson|Davidson, Hilda Ellis]]. Fisher, Peter (Trans.) (1998). ''Saxo Grammaticus: The History of the Danes, Books I-IX : I. English Text; II. Commentary''. D.S. Brewer. {{ISBN|0-85991-502-6}}.
* Davidson, Hilda (1968). ''The Road to Hel: A Study of the Conception of the Dead in Old Norse Literature''. {{ISBN|0-8371-0070-4}}.
* Larrington, Carolyne (Trans.) (1999). ''The Poetic Edda''. [[Oxford World's Classics]]. {{ISBN|0-19-283946-2}}
* [[Vladimir Orel|Orel, Vladimir]] (2003). ''A Handbook of Germanic Etymology''. Brill. {{ISBN|9004128751}}
{{refend}}

{{Death in Germanic mythology}}
{{Norse mythology}}
{{Hell}}
{{Heaven}}

[[Category:Norse underworld| ]]