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Hell is derived from Hel, the goddess of the underworld (old Norse
Mythology), and the daughter of Loki and Angerboda, sister to Fenris
and Jormungand. She dwelt beneath one of the three roots of the sacred
ash tree Yggdrasil. Odin, the All-Father, hurled Hel into Niflheim,
the realm of cold and darkness, itself also known as Hel, over which
he gave her sovereign authority.
The nine worlds were connected by Yggdrasil. The worlds were known as
Asgard, Alfheim, Vanaheim, Niflheim, Midgard, Muspelheim, Jotunheim,
Svartalfheim, and Hel.
Hel was the youngest of three children between Loki and the giantess
Angroboda. When the gods kidnapped all three children, Hel was cast
into Nifilheim to look over the dishonored dead, or those that died of
illness or old age, sharing whatever food she had with them.
It was in Nifilheim that she built her hall called Eljudnir, and
within she had a manservant and maidservant named Ganglati and
Ganglot, who's name means tardy. They where so slow that no one could
tell that they where moving. On her table sat Hel's plate which was
called Hunger, her knife which was called Famine. In her hall was her
bed named Sick Bed and her bed hangings called Glimmering Misfortune.
Hel herself was very odd, yet horrifying looking monster. Half of her
face was lovely and fair to look at, taking after her father, while
the other half was ugly and misshapen like her mother. From her waist
up her skin was pink and alive while from her waist down it was dead
and rotting
When the fair god Balder and his wife Nanna died, they went to Hel's
hall. Nine days later, Balders brother Hermod rode Sleipnir to
Nifilheim and spent the night with his brother. The next day Hermod
met with Hel and express the grief the gods had because of Balders
death, and if she would let Balder go back to the living world. Hel
agreed to let Balder go if everyone in the nine worlds truly did
grieve him. Hermod returned to the living world and informed the gods
of the agreement. The gods managed to get all things in the nine
worlds to grieve, except for one giantess named Thokk, who was really
Hel's father Loki in disguise. Because of Loki's act, Balder would
remain in Nifilheim until Ragnarok.
Hel will make her last stand at the twilight of the gods when she
brings her hoard of dead up and out of Nifilheim to join her father
and the other giants in the final battle of Ragnarok. Unlike her
brothers Fenrir the Wolf and Jormungand the Serpent, we do not know
how she will meet her doom on the field of Vigrid.
Other names she was known by is Hell and Hella. She was also
described as being half black as night, and half white as snow in some
accounts.
Blessed Be!
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