
Norse mythology
Hermod
Odin's Herald and Envoy to Hel
- Mythology
- Norse mythology
- Group
- Aesir · Death · Fate · Sacrifice
- Appears in
- The Death of Baldur · Hel and the Realm of the Dead
Hermod is a son of Odin who serves as messenger of the gods. When Baldur is killed by the mistletoe dart, Hermod alone volunteers to ride down and beg for his return. Mounted on Odin's eight-legged horse Sleipnir, he gallops nine nights through dark valleys to the underworld, leaps the gilded bridge over the river Gjoll, and clears the gate of Hel with a single bound. He pleads with Hel, who promises to free Baldur if every living thing weeps for him. Hermod rides home bearing the ring Draupnir and the terms that Loki's malice will ultimately spoil.
Related figures
Listen to the stories of Hermod
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