Hel is the goddess of the underworlds, Helheim and Niflheim, in Norse mythology. Odin threw Hel there and gave her authority over those who do not die gloriously in battle but of sickness or of old age. She has a body which is half black, half flesh-covered, and appears downcast yet fierce, according to Snorri Sturluson in Gylfaginning. Her dwelling place is the hall Eliudnir. Her servants are Ganglati and Ganglot.

Hel is a daughter of Loki and Angerboda.

Heimskringla relates that she procured herself a spouse by having the Swedish king Dyggve die a natural death.

Her name is cognate with the English word hell.

Other names

• Hela
• Hell
• Hella
• Hellia

Hel in modern literature, movies, etc.

• Hel plays a role in Marvel Comics' Thor series.
• Hel causes much trouble for David, Christopher, Jalil and April in K.A. Applegate's book series, Everworld.

See also

• The Devil in Christian mythology
• Hades in Greek mythology
• Osiris in Egyptian mythology
• Pluto in Roman mythology