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Key Details
Type
UnderworldMythology
Norse Pantheon
Realm
Mythological / Non-physical
About This Location
Hel's place, not a Christian hell
The Eddas send those who die of sickness and old age to Hel, a being and a location. Snorri gives her a hall, a high threshold, and a dish called Hunger. Baldr rides the Hel-way after Loki's trick. Helheim as a set name is rarer than Hel or Niflhel. It is cold and continuing, not a moral furnace. No cult of Helheim is recorded. Hermod's ride in Gylfaginning is the fullest itinerary.
Primary Sources
“Hel he cast into Niflheim and gave her authority over nine worlds, that she should administer food to those sent to her, who die of sickness or old age.”
More from Norse Pantheon
Asgard
RealmOne of the Nine Worlds and home to the Aesir tribe of gods, connected to Midgard by the rainbow bridge Bifrost.
Midgard
RealmThe realm of humanity (Earth), encircled by the world serpent Jormungandr and connected to Asgard by the Bifrost bridge.
Niflheim
RealmThe primordial realm of ice, mist, and cold. Its frozen rivers combined with Muspelheim's fire to create the first life.
Muspelheim
RealmThe primordial realm of fire, ruled by the fire giant Surtr, whose flames will consume the world at Ragnarok.
Jotunheim
RealmThe land of the frost giants and other jotnar, a harsh wilderness of mountains and forests bordering Asgard.
Vanaheim
RealmHome of the Vanir gods associated with fertility, wisdom, and nature—including Freya, Freyr, and Njord.