Hodr, also known as Höðr or Hod, is a blind god in Norse mythology, most famously known for his unwitting role in the death of Baldr, the god of light and purity. According to the Prose Edda, written by Snorri Sturluson, Hodr was tricked by the mischievous god Loki into shooting Baldr with a mistletoe arrow, the only substance that could harm him. This act set in motion a chain of events that would lead to Ragnarök, the Norse apocalypse.
Despite his tragic role, Hodr is not portrayed as inherently evil in Norse mythology. His blindness is both physical and metaphorical, representing the dangers of acting without full knowledge or awareness. After Ragnarök, some sources suggest that Hodr and Baldr will be reconciled and return to Asgard, symbolizing the renewal of the world and the healing of old wounds. This complex character serves as a reminder of the intricate and often morally ambiguous nature of Norse mythological figures.
Hodr is a blind god in Norse mythology, most famously known for his unwitting role in the death of Baldr, the god of light and purity.
Like many Norse gods, Hodr's exact origins are not explicitly detailed in the surviving mythological texts. He is generally considered to be one of the Aesir gods.
Parents: Odin and Frigg are typically considered Hodr's parents, though this is not explicitly stated in all sources.
Children: There are no known accounts of Hodr having children in the surviving Norse mythological texts.
No specific partners or lovers are mentioned for Hodr in the primary Norse mythological sources.
The most famous item associated with Hodr is the mistletoe arrow he unwittingly used to kill Baldr. However, this was not his personal weapon but rather one given to him by Loki.