Balder
The son of Odin and Frigg is Balder, the god of innocence and
piety.
He is so bright and fair that light shines from his features; he
is also wise,
eloquent, gentle, and lenient, and righteous to such a degree that
his
judgments stand always unshaken. His home and stronghold is called
Breidablik; there nothing impure may find lodgment. His wife is
the
faithful Nanna, daughter of Nep. His son is the righteous Forseti.
Balder
was killed by his brother Hod, but after the destruction of the
universe he
will return again.
The cult of Balder is mentioned only in the late, unhistorical
Fridthjof’s
Saga; from this source we learn that he had a great sanctuary,
Baldershagi, somewhere in Sogn.
Sources:
Peter
Andreas Munch: Norse Mythology: Legends of Gods
and Heroes. The American-Scandinavian Foundation, New
York. 1926, pp. 12-13.
Rasmus B. Anderson (Ed.): The Elder Eddas of Saemund
Sigfusson and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson.
Norræna Society, London-New York. 1906.
E-books
Back to the main page