Höðr
Höðr is attested in the Poetic Edda, Prose Edda, and the Gesta Danorum, though in a bastardized form. He is often thought of as a god of darkness and the brother of Baldr, a god of light. As the son of Óðin and Frigg, Höðr stands in contrast to his radiant brother. Like Baldr, Höðr is an honored guest of Hel, and he is often associated with Winter and the cold, much like Ullr and Skaði.
Despite being counted among the twelve ruling gods of Ásgard according to Snorri, Höðr is rarely mentioned independently of Baldr. There is no cult specifically dedicated to him, and he plays a largely passive role in the surviving lore. However, his strength and prowess in combat are acknowledged, often paired with warrior titles. He is depicted as a peerless warrior and a prince of Ásgard, but is tragically cursed with blindness.
Höðr's most significant role in the myths is his inadvertent involvement in the death of Baldr, which is considered the greatest tragedy in Norse cosmology. Loki, with his trickery, provides Höðr with a dart made of mistletoe, the one material capable of harming Baldr. Though Höðr acts unknowingly and unwillingly, he is framed and bears the heavy burden of the act. This mistake sets off a chain of sorrow, culminating in Höðr's own death, as the ancient Norse tradition of blood vengeance demands.
In the underworld, Höðr joins Baldr, his brother, and in some versions of the myth, it is said that Höðr will return after Ragnarök to rule alongside Baldr in the new world. The tragic nature of Höðr’s story is clear: his role in Baldr’s death was an accident, not born out of malice, and his journey is one of betrayal and forgiveness.
In Gesta Danorum, Saxo Grammaticus recounts a different story where Höðr, called Hotherus, is depicted as the protagonist who defeats Balderus and wins the hand of the princess Nanna. This version diverges greatly from the one we know, adding to the complex nature of Höðr’s character in the lore.
Thoughts on Höðr
In modern Norse paganism, Höðr is honored alongside Baldr. They are considered a pair, and it is common to honor one when revering the other, as well as the goddess Nanna. Some scholars suggest that Höðr and Baldr may represent an older Indo-European deity pair, known as “the Twins,” with their roles shifting in the seasonal cycle of light and dark. The tragic nature of Höðr’s story resonates deeply in modern practice, where he is seen as a god of the betrayed, symbolizing the sorrow of unintended actions and the weight of fate.
Signs and Symbols
Blindfolds, blindness, closed eyes, and blind motifs
Darkness, shadows, and eclipses
The cold, Winter, and the Winter Solstice Mistletoe
Associated Names
Hod, Hoder, Hodur, Hothr, Hotherus