Baldr - God of Norse Mythology

Baldr (pronounced: "BAHL-dur") is a prominent figure in Norse and Germanic mythology, known as the god of peace, light, and forgiveness. He was considered the second son of Odin, the chief god of the Æsir pantheon, and his wife Frigg, who was the goddess of love and fertility. Baldr is revered for his goodness, beauty, and gentleness, and he is often depicted as a shining and radiant figure.

The name Baldr is derived from the Old Norse word "baldr", which means "shining" or "bright". In different regions and periods, the name has been spelled and pronounced in various ways. In Old Norse, it was written as "Baldr", and in Old High German as "Balder". In modern Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and English, the name is spelled as "Balder". In modern Icelandic and Faroese, it is spelled as "Baldur". Baldr was also called Baeldaeg in some protohistoric sources, which refers to an ancient Scandinavian king who lived in the 3rd century.

The name "Baldr" in Old Norse runes is written as:

ᛒᚨᛚᛏᛦ

Baldr is best known for the story of his death, which is recounted in the Poetic Edda, a collection of Old Norse poems, and the Prose Edda, a work of Norse mythology written by Snorri Sturluson in the 13th century. According to the myth, Baldr began to have disturbing dreams that foretold his death. His mother Frigg, who had the gift of prophecy, saw the dreams and became worried for her son's safety.

Frigg then went to all the corners of the nine worlds and asked every creature and object to swear an oath not to harm her son. All of them agreed except for mistletoe, which she deemed too young and insignificant to be a threat. Loki, the trickster god, took advantage of this oversight and crafted a dart made of mistletoe, which he gave to Baldr's blind brother Höðr.

At a gathering of the gods, Höðr threw the dart at Baldr, killing him instantly. Baldr's death was a great tragedy for the gods and was seen as one of the forerunners of Ragnarök, the end of the world in Norse mythology.

Baldr's death is seen as an expression of the fragility and impermanence of life, and his story has been interpreted in various ways by scholars and artists throughout history. Some see him as a Christ-like figure who sacrifices himself for the greater good, while others see him as a symbol of innocence and purity.

Baldr is also associated with light, joy, and forgiveness, and his hall Breidablik is considered the most beautiful place in Asgard, the home of the gods. He is often invoked in Norse pagan rituals and is celebrated during the festival of Yule, which marks the winter solstice.

Baldr's wife is named Nanna, and their son is Forseti, who is the god of justice and reconciliation. Baldr is also said to have owned the greatest ship ever built, called the Hringhorni.

In popular culture, Baldr has appeared in various forms, including in video games, comics, and movies. He is often depicted as a handsome and noble hero.

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