Hel

[ hel ]

noun

, Scandinavian Mythology.

1. the goddess ruling Niflheim: a daughter of Loki and Angerboda.
2. the home of the dead; Niflheim.

Hel

/ hɛl; ˈhɛlɑː /

noun

1. the goddess of the dead
2. the underworld realm of the dead

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hel¹

From Old Norse; hell

Example Sentences

For example, in the tragic tale of god Baldr’s death, his brother Hermóðr rode Sleipnir all the way to Hel, the realm of the dead.

From Realm of History

Hel, who dwelt under one of the three roots of the sacred ash Yggdrasil, was the daughter of the wicked Loki.

From Project Gutenberg

The stony hills are dashed together, the giantesses totter; men tread the path of Hel, and heaven is cloven.

From Project Gutenberg

Forth rode Odin—the ground rattled—till to Hel's lofty house he came.

From Project Gutenberg

When this composition was written, it appears that Hel was no longer regarded as a person, but as a place.

From Project Gutenberg

On an eagle's mount thou shalt early sit, looking and turned towards Hel.

From Project Gutenberg