Rather, the Viking Hel was the reflection of how the Vikings had lived in their mortal life. It meant they could still feast, drink, fight one another, sleep, and so forth in the realm of Hel. To the Vikings, Hel was not a punishment or torture.
Did Vikings believe in Hell?
Let's take a look. The characters in Vikings mention “hell” throughout the show, which has made viewers wonder about it as they were pagans – however, they did have a concept of “hell” to believe in, and here’s what it was about.
What is the Viking Hel?
Some scholars believed that the Viking Hel was not a kind of reward for how the deceased had lived in their mortal life or punishment for their wrongdoings. Rather, the Viking Hel was the reflection of how the Vikings had lived in their mortal life. It meant they could still feast, drink, fight one another, sleep, and so forth in the realm of Hel.
Is there a “heaven” in Norse mythology?
Thus, people who search for a “Heaven” or “Hell” amongst the Norse dwelling-places of the dead are going to come up empty-handed. (The words “Hell” and “Hel” come from the same Germanic root, [11] but the names and the subterranean location are the only things the two conceptions have in common.)
What is the difference between Hel and Hell?
Apart from the similarity that Hel and Hell were the places of the dead, they refer to two different concepts. Hel Queen of Dead in Norse mythology. She was banished into the underworld land for gods feared the future Hel and her siblings would wage war against the gods. In the underworld, Hel rose to her power and became the queen of the dead
What is the Vikings Hell called?
Hel (Old Norse Hel, “Hidden;” pronounced like the English word “Hell”) is the most general name for the underworld where many of the dead dwell. It's presided over by a fearsome goddess whose name is also Hel.
Is there a Hell to Valhalla?
Valhalla is closer to the concept of heaven than it is to hell, but it is not an exact parallel. Located in Asgard, Valhalla is where Odin, the god of thunder, reigns. Valkyries, Odin's maiden warriors, select which elite Viking warriors may enter.
Who is the Viking god of Hell?
HelHel (Old Norse: [ˈhel]) is a female being in Norse mythology who is said to preside over an underworld realm of the same name, where she receives a portion of the dead. Hel is attested in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, and the Prose Edda, written in the 13th century.
Where do Vikings go to Heaven?
When Vikings died they believed they would go to Valhalla, where they would spend their afterlife. Before Christianity, Valhalla was the Viking eternal paradise, like Heaven. Valkyries were warrior-women goddesses who searched battlefields for dead heroes.
Do Vikings still exist?
No, to the extent that there are no longer routine groups of people who set sail to explore, trade, pillage, and plunder. However, the people who did those things long ago have descendants today who live all over Scandinavia and Europe.
What is Viking purgatory called?
NiflheimNiflheim, Old Norse Niflheimr, in Norse mythology, the cold, dark, misty world of the dead, ruled by the goddess Hel. In some accounts it was the last of nine worlds, a place into which evil men passed after reaching the region of death (Hel).
Can Odin survive Helheim?
Helheim has been described as a place of great horror and suffering for anyone who has the misfortune of ending up there, with even the Aesir and the Vanir greatly fearing it and referring to it as being a cursed land. It is said that even Odin himself can only survive there for a limited amount of time.
Is it Hel or Hela?
Hel (also known as Hela), also referred to as the "Two-Faced Terror", is an ancient goddess of the dead within the Norse mythology who presides over the realm Niflheim within the place of the same name which serves a basis for the Christian concept of Hell, where she receives a portion of the dead.
Is Hel good or evil?
Hel is a cold, uncaring character in Norse mythology who was neither good nor evil. As the ruler of one of the places where the Norse were believed to go after death, she had an important role. However, she doesn't feature prominently in many myths.
Can I go to Valhalla?
Valhalla is presided over by Odin, and to gain entrance to it, one must be chosen by him and his valkyries, the “choosers of the fallen.” Similarily, entrance to Folkvang is dependent upon being selected by Freya.
Is Valhalla still a religion?
Today, as the old Norse religion enjoys a revival, practitioners are modernizing its core beliefs, including those relating to the afterlife. The modern view of Valhalla is subject to strict and loose interpretations.
What does the Bible say about Valhalla?
In chapter 42, High describes "right at the beginning, while the gods were settling", they established Asgard, then built Valhalla. The death of the god Baldr is recounted in chapter 49, with the mistletoe used to kill Baldr is described as growing west of Valhalla.
Where did the name Hell come from?
The names of Hel and Hell, the Christian realm of eternal suffering ruled over by Satan, come from the same root in the Proto-Germanic language, which is an ancestor of both Old Norse and, by way of Old English, modern English. That common root has been reconstructed by modern scholars as *haljo, “concealed place,” and words stemming ...
What do the dead do in Hel?
[5] The dead in Hel spend their time doing the same kinds of things that Viking Age men and women did: eating, drinking, fighting, sleeping, and so forth. It wasn’t a place of eternal bliss or torment as much as it was simply a continuation of life somewhere else.
Why did Hermod go to Hel?
Another typical account is the journey of Hermod to Hel to attempt to retrieve Baldur, who had been killed by Loki. While the account comes exclusively from Snorri, it matches the other pieces of this genre of underworld-journey narratives closely enough, both in its overall form and in small details, that we can be sure that Snorri relied on an older source or sources now lost to us. The relevant part of the story goes like this:
What is the name of the underworld?
Hel (The Underworld) Hel ( Old Norse Hel, “Hidden;” [1] pronounced like the English word “Hell”) is the most general name for the underworld where many of the dead dwell. It’s presided over by a fearsome goddess whose name is also Hel.
Where is Hel in the book?
The common elements in Snorri’s and Saxo’s accounts seem to be the following: Hel was located underground – down and to the north, the realm of cold and general lifelessness. It was reached by descending from a higher point with the help of a guide – an unnamed (dead) woman in Hadding’s case, and Sleipnir in the Prose Edda and the poem Baldrs Draumar ( Baldur’s Dreams) in the Poetic Edda. After traveling through darkness and mist, the traveler would come to a river, perhaps a torrential river of water, but more commonly a river of clanging weapons. [19] There was a bridge over the river that one had to cross. After a time, one would finally arrive at the wall surrounding Hel. The dead presumably entered through the main gate, but those living beings who, for whatever reasons, undertook the journey to Hel seem to have thought it either impossible or unwise to enter through the gate. So they either found sneakier ways to cross into Hel or turned back.
What is the chicken that is thrown over the wall called?
The chicken being thrown over the wall of the underworld (variously called Helgrindr, “The Fence of Hel,” Nágrindr, “Corpse-Fence,” or Valgrindr, “The Fence of the Fallen” [13]) is especially intriguing. I have yet to see a convincing explanation as to its meaning, but it seems to correspond to a Norse funeral custom. The Arab traveler Ibn Fadlan recorded a scene he witnessed where a Norse chief had died and a woman was about to be killed to accompany him, and she cut off a hen’s head and threw it into the ship where her dead body would soon follow. [14]
Where is Hel located?
Like physical graves, Hel was thought to be located underground. Some sources also place it in the north, the direction which is cold and dark like the grave. [2] A dog is sometimes said to guard its entrance, much like Cerberus in Greek mythology. [3]
What was the Viking Hel?
Rather, the Viking Hel was the reflection of how the Vikings had lived in their mortal life. It meant they could still feast, drink, fight one another, sleep, and so forth in the realm of Hel. To the Vikings, Hel was not a punishment or torture. Rather, it was a continuation of living their life but in a different place.
What is the fork of Hel?
The Edda described the fork of Hel was Hunger (Hungr), her servants were Slow and Lazy (Ganglati and Ganglot), the threshold of her door Stumbling (Fallandaforað), her bed was Illness (Kor), and her curtains were Misfortune (Blíkjandabölr). This place was not an ideal to live as your afterlife, was it?
Why was Hel banished?
Hel Queen of Dead in Norse mythology. She was banished into the underworld land for gods feared the future Hel and her siblings would wage war against the gods. In the underworld, Hel rose to her power and became the queen of the dead
What was the conflict in Snorri's work?
One big conflict in the work of Snorri was the death of Baldur. The Edda mentioned that Valhalla Odin's hall was the hall for the brave warriors who died a warrior death in the battle. And Hel was the place for those who died of old age and sickness. But Baldur the beloved son of Odin was killed violently only to be reborn in Hel?
How many realms of the afterlife did the Vikings believe in?
The concept of the afterlife figures prominently in Norse culture, religion, and society. The Vikings believed in no less than five separate realms of the afterlife.
What was the Viking invasion?
During the height of the Viking Era, seafaring warriors from what is now Scandinavia terrorized Northern Europe as they raided and plundered towns and villages that could not defend against them. It is widely believed that the courage and ferocity of the Viking invaders were rooted in their deeply-held belief that to die in battle was honorable ...
What is the Valhalla saga?
Even in Valhalla, All Good Things Must Come to an End. Viking sagas describe Valhalla as a warrior’s paradise . Days are spent honing battle skills, and any injuries suffered in the heat of fighting are miraculously healed by day’s end.
Where are the afterlife destinations for brave warriors killed in battle?
Valhalla and Folkvangr are the two afterlife destinations for brave warriors killed in battle, but what happened to the hardworking Norse farmer or good-hearted peasant when they died?
Why did the Vikings lay their lives on the line?
Despite the tragic and horrific fate that awaited them in the afterlife, Vikings were all too willing to lay their lives on the line on the fields of battle for their family legacy in the mortal realm and the camaraderie and honor that awaited them in Valhalla. [3] Women played an important role in Viking culture.
Where is Valhalla in the Norse world?
As described in Old Norse writings, Valhalla (“hall of the slain”) is a great hall located in Asgard, one of the nine realms in the Norse universe. It is where fallen Viking warriors and leaders walk among Norse gods, including the greatest of them all, Odin.
How many realms did the Vikings have?
The Vikings believed the universe consisted of nine separate realms, each inhabited by different beings.
Where do Vikings go when they die at sea?
Those who died at sea – not an uncommon way to go in a seafaring culture like that of the Vikings – are sometimes, but not always, said to be taken to the underwater abode of the giantess Ran.
What do the dead do in Hel?
And what do the dead do in Hel or the local variations thereof? They typically eat, drink, carouse, fight, sleep, practice magic, and generally do all of the things that living Viking Age men and women did.
What is the hall of the dead called?
The most famous of these dwelling-places of the dead is undoubtedly Valhalla (Old Norse Valhöll, “the hall of the fallen”), the resplendent hall of the god Odin. Those chosen by Odin and his valkyries live there as celebrated heroes until they’re called upon to fight by Odin’s side in the doomed battle at Ragnarok, ...
What do people think of the afterlife?
Today, many people who believe in an afterlife think of it as a reward or punishment for one’s moral or ideological choices during life. The Norse held no such conception. The ideas of “salvation” and “damnation” were alien to their rather earthy worldview. Thus, people who search for a “Heaven” or “Hell” amongst the Norse dwelling-places ...
Who is the son of Odin's son who is killed violently?
Snorri himself blatantly contradicts his distinction between Valhalla and Hel in the one substantial account of Hel he provides: the tale of the death of Baldur, Odin’s son, who is killed violently and is nevertheless borne to Hel.
Where do the dead go in battle?
An oft-repeated line is that those who die in battle are thought to go to Valhalla, whereas those who die of other, more peaceful causes go to Hel. Leaving aside the fact that this excludes all of the other places to which the dead are thought to potentially go, this artificially tidy distinction was first made by Snorri Sturluson, a Christian historian writing in the thirteenth century – many generations after the pre-Christian Norse religion had ceased to be a living tradition.
Where is the hall of the fallen?
Furthermore, the very name Valhöll, “the hall of the fallen,” clearly seems related to the name Valhallr, “the rock of the fallen,” a title given to certain rocks and hills where the dead were thought to dwell in southern Sweden, one of the greatest historical centers of the worship of Odin. [6][7]
What did the Vikings believe?
The Vikings believed in gods before they became Christians. There were different gods in the Viking religion. The three most important gods for the Vikings were Odin, Thor and Frey. ... Strangely, however they also believed that they and their gods were fighting a lost cause, doomed to failure.
How did the Vikings come to Christianity?
The Vikings came into contact with Christianity through their raids, and when they settled in lands with a Christian population, they adopted Christianity quite quickly. This was true in Normandy, Ireland, and throughout the British Isles.
What to know about Valhalla?
One thing to remember concerning Valhalla as we know it: Being brought there is not a reward, it’s done with warriors whom the gods deem useful. They’re there to serve Odin, and if you don’t really love fighting it probably isn’t that fun a place to be. Life there is often described as sitting eating and drinking in this great feast hall… but that’s just in the evenings after sunset. In daytime they are all supposed to be outside practicing their fighting skills all day long, every day, and those that get wounded or maimed remain so until sunset when their wounds are healed and it’s time for dinner. The big takeaway with Valhalla isn’t the parties, it’s the prospect of eventually partaking in Ragnarök, the most epic battle of all time.
How do pagans worship?
Most pagans worship the old pre- Christian gods and goddesses through seasonal festivals and other ceremonies. Observance of these festivals is very important to pagans, and those in hospital will generally wish to celebrate them in some form.
What is a shieldmaiden?
A shield-maiden (Old Norse: skjaldmær) was a female warrior from Scandinavian folklore and mythology. Shield-maidens are often mentioned in sagas such as Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks and in Gesta Danorum.
Where did the Vikings come from?
Vikings were the seafaring Norse people from southern Scandinavia (present-day Denmark, Norway and Sweden) who from the late 8th to late 11th centuries raided, pirated, traded and settled throughout parts of Europe. They also voyaged as far as the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East, and North America.
Did the Vikings believe in the afterlife?
Vikings did believe in an afterlife, as Norse burial practices were clearly designed to ensure that the deceased had everything they need to thrive after death. Valhalla, Hel, Ran…..and many more. The most common funerary practices among the Vikings were cremation (with the cremated remains then buried) or burial.
What was the closest thing to heaven for the Norse?
The closest thing to heaven for the Norse was Alfheim, described as a land of great paradise.
Where do those who didn't die in battle go?
There is Hel or Helheim, where those who didn’t die in battle go to. Weather it is a desireable place or not depends on what you are.
How many halls does each deity have?
Each deity has at least one hall. Valhalla is only one of Odin’s many halls. Only followers of Odin specifically should think it a good idea to go to any of his halls. Being polytheist we consider it slightly eccentric to focus on only one deity.
Is Valhalla heaven?
Valhalla isn’t heaven. Valhalla is temporary. Also, it is for warrior types good or bad.
Is Valhalla a place for brave warriors?
Valhalla is a place only for brave warriors who died in battle. I once spoke with someone who has Asatru as religion, he says that Valhalla is good for warriors but misery for normal people l
What is the afterlife in Norse mythology?
Despite the popular opinion, the afterlife in Norse mythology was not only meant to be "a prize" for the fighters. There was a place for everyone, by their own merit. Hel, the final destination of men who led their lives simply, will be the subject of our article.
What is the most famous myth about Hel?
The Most Famous Myth about Hel. Probably the most famous story surrounding Hel is related to the death of Baldr. Baldr was a God whose death was told to precede the events of Ragnarok. For a long time, he had dreams about his death.
Why did Hermodr let Baldr ride with him back to the realm of the living?
Hermodr managed to find Baldr and Hel and pleaded to Hel to release his brother and to let him ride with him back to the realm of the living because all of the Aesir wept for him. Hel agreed to do that if the world could prove that their love of Baldr is that great. She asked that all of the worlds weep for him.
How many siblings does Hel have?
Hel has two siblings. One is Fenrir, a giant wolf who is foretold to kill Odin during Ragnarok (the world’s end) and to be in return killed by Thor. The other one is Jörmungandr, a huge snake that can surround the whole world and to bite its tail at the world’s end. Jörmungandr is the arch-enemy of Thor.
Why does Hel kiss her hand?
That is done to see if humans or other passers have the ability to cope with the rotten part of her body. When she does that, you should not be afraid, but kiss her hand as a sign of respect for her and the realm she rules. Hel is known to show respect for the respect received, so the one who does the right thing can expect small favors from her in return.
How many realms are there in Norse mythology?
Hel is a place where those men and women go. We all know that the world of Norse mythology is divided into nine realms, which are spread across the Tree of Life - Yggdrasil.
What is the appearance of Hel?
Hel’s Appearance. Goddess Hel. Hel is usually represented as a woman who is separated in half down the middle of her body. One side is represented as a pale woman, usually with long, black hair. In contrast, the other side is represented as a skeleton.
