---
title: Baldr's Death
author: Jakob Sigurðsson
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14604/baldrs-death/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Baldr's Death
_Authored by Jakob Sigurðsson_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14604.jpg)
## Image Caption
[Death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) of the Nose [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) [Baldr](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baldr/), illustration from an 18th-century Icelandic manuscript.
SÁM 66, 75v.
Baldr was a beloved son of [Frigg](https://www.worldhistory.org/Frigg/) and [Odin](https://www.worldhistory.org/odin/). Upon seeing his own death in a prophetic dream he became depressed. His mother did everything in his power not to prevent it from happening. Frigg convinced every object and creature to vow never to hurt Baldr except mistletoe. This allowed trickster [Loki](https://www.worldhistory.org/Loki/) to use it to produce a spear that ultimately killed Baldr.
Later on, gods attempted to raise him from death. The goddess of death [Hel](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hel/) agreed to let him free on the condition that everything in the [Nine Realms of Norse cosmology](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1305/nine-realms-of-norse-cosmology/) should weep for Baldr. When the giantess Thokk refused, Baldr had to remain in the afterlife.
According to some sources such as *Völuspá*, Baldur will be raised from death after the destruction of the gods at *[Ragnarök](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ragnarok/)*. Then he will rule the new world.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Sigurðsson, J. (2021, September 13). Baldr's Death. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Sigurðsson, Jakob. "Baldr's Death." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 13, 2021. .
### MLA
Sigurðsson, Jakob. "Baldr's Death." *World History Encyclopedia*, 13 Sep 2021, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:S%C3%81M_66,_75v,_death_of_Baldr.jpg) by [**Jakob Sigurðsson**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:S%C3%81M_66,_75v,_death_of_Baldr.jpg). Submitted by [Celina Bebenek](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/celinacyprianbe/ "User Page: Celina Bebenek"), published on 13 September 2021. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.