Baldur Facts & Worksheets

In Norse mythology, the deity Baldur is linked to boldness, insight, and light. He is most remembered for his shocking demise, which signals the approach of Ragnarök, the end of the Norse gods’ rule, and the beginning of the modern period.

See the fact file below for more information on Baldur, or you can download our 23-page Baldur worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

NORSE ORIGINS

• It was once believed that the name “Baldur” was derived from the Old Norse word “baldr,” which meant “bold” or “brave,” however it is possible that the adjective was named after the god rather than the other way around. 
• He spent the rest of his life surrounded by the affection of the gods after being born and raised in Asgard. Baldur was adored by everyone in Asgard because he always treated those around him with fairness and justice.
• Baldur’s only flaw was that he frequently dreamed of dying. This fact alarmed the gods because Baldur’s passing signified the beginning of Ragnarök.

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER GODS

• Baldur is a figure found in different Germanic mythologies and tales. Odin, the Norse gods’ ruler, and his wife Frigg are the parents of Baldur. 
• In addition to Thor, Vali, Vidar, and Hodur, he is the brother of many other Norse deities. Occasionally, these gods also see Loki as a brother.
• Baldur had a son named Forseti, a god of peace and justice, through his marriage to the goddess Nanna.
• When he was an adult, Forseti created a place for himself called Glitnir where, like his father, he made peace with enemies and arbitrated disputes.
• Baldur was regarded as one of the gods’ favorites because he was Frigg and Odin’s child. Being the deity of beauty and light, he was adored by all living beings due to his attractiveness and upbeat personality. 

ROLE IN NORSE MYTHOLOGY

• Baldur is a god of purity and light in Norse mythology. He is also known as the god of war and the summer. 
• Everyone in Asgard adored Baldur because of his kindness, compassion, tranquil demeanor, and intelligence.
• It was even said that he was so beautiful that light emanated everywhere from him.
• He lived in a residence known as Breidablik, which is considered a haven from conflict and misery. He also owned Hringhorni, the largest ship ever built.
• On the other hand, he is largely remembered for the tale surrounding his death rather than for his remarkable bravery and honor. 
• It all began when he began having visions of dying, which prompted his mother, Frigg, to compel everything on Earth to swear not to hurt her son Baldur. 
• Frigg forced all living things to make an oath that they would not hurt him unless it was mistletoe when Baldur started having dreams that foretold his demise. Mistletoe, in her opinion, was too little and harmless to injure him. 
• Baldur’s apparent invincibility was utilized by the other gods to practice throwing knives and firing arrows at him after they all made the commitment that none of their kind would ever harm or aid in harming him.
• Loki, the god of mischief, realized she had made a mistake, made a spear out of mistletoe, and persuaded the blind god Hodr to use it against Baldur. Baldur was pierced and killed by an arrow made of mistletoe.
• ​​The gods were so terrified and distressed that they were unable to communicate. They understood that this was the first sign of Ragnarök, their own demise as well as that of the universe they had been preserving.
• Due to Baldur being loved by all, Odin pleaded with the goddess Hel to let him leave. Hel declared that she would only restore Baldur if everyone and everything in the universe mourned for him, demonstrating how adored the god was by everybody. 
• However, Loki pretended to be a giantess and refused to cry for Baldur, condemning him to a life in the hereafter. It can be assumed that Loki, who was half Jotunn, knew about Ragnarök and murdered Baldur as a result.
• On the other hand, there was another version of the story where Baldur was resurrected. Upon his death, he was promptly taken to Helheim. Baldur was greeted by Hel, Loki’s daughter, there. Odin tried to bring his son back to Asgard numerous times, but Hel always refused. 
• In the Nine Cosmos, Odin may be strong and revered everywhere, but not in Helheim. Hel’s choice could never be reversed. 
• Hel’s choice, nonetheless, must be commended because it helped spare Baldur from Ragnarök, where Baldur’s father and siblings perished. Baldur refused to enlist in the Asgardian army and remained in Helheim. 
• He was shielded as a result of this. Baldur was resurrected following Ragnarök and left Helheim. Due to the fact that the gods all perished during the Ragnarök, Baldur became the only prince of Asgard.

ROLE IN RAGNARÖK

• When Hodr killed Baldur, he was merely attempting to save Freya; he had no intention of starting Ragnarök. 
• However, as the Jotunn Groa foretold, Baldur’s demise marked the start of the Norse Gods’ demise. 
• Ragnarök has been regarded as the end of both mankind and the Gods. 
• The planet will be reduced to water, including the sun and moon. But Ragnarök also heralds the start of a brand-new era.
• Odin or anybody else can only forecast when Ragnarök would occur; sadly, neither the Gods nor man is able to stop it from happening. 
• Baldur’s passing, the frigid winters known as Fimbulwinter, and eventually the sun, moon, and stars disappearing from the sky, which plunge the earth into total darkness, are three indicators that Ragnarök is approaching.
• The impacts of Fimbulwinter are still being seen throughout the entire realm of Asgard. Although Fimbulwinter is the second sign, it is the first significant occurrence that prompts the Norse gods, especially Odin, to be ready for Ragnarök, which is unavoidable.

Baldur Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Baldur across 23 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Baldur. In Norse mythology, the deity Baldur is linked to boldness, insight, and light. He is most remembered for his shocking demise, which signals the approach of Ragnarök, the end of the Norse gods’ rule, and the beginning of the modern period.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Baldur (Norse Mythology) Facts
2. Norse God Baldur
3. Symbolism
4. Visual Description
5. The Key Characters
6. The Ragnarök 
7. Baldur’s Return
8. Virtues of Baldur
9. The Value of Kindness
10. The Value of Intelligence
11. Today’s Baldur

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Baldur?

Baldur is a prominent figure in Norse mythology. He is the son of Odin, the chief god, and Frigg, the goddess of beauty and love.

What is Baldur known for?

Baldur is known for his exceptional beauty, wisdom, and his association with light, joy, and purity. He is considered one of the most beloved gods in Norse mythology.

How does the story of Baldur unfold?

According to Norse mythology, Baldur begins to experience prophetic dreams of his impending death. Frigg, his mother, fearing for his safety, extracts oaths from all creatures and objects not to harm Baldur. However, Loki, the trickster god, discovers a loophole and tricks Hod, Baldur’s blind brother, into shooting a mistletoe arrow at Baldur, which becomes his fatal blow.

What is the significance of Baldur’s death?

Baldur’s death is considered a tragic event in Norse mythology. It leads to a chain of events, including the decline of the gods and the onset of Ragnarok, the end of the world in Norse mythology.

Are there any notable interpretations or adaptations of Baldur’s story?

Baldur’s story has inspired various artistic and literary interpretations. One well-known adaptation is found in the Prose Edda, written by Snorri Sturluson, which provides a detailed account of Norse mythology. Additionally, Baldur is referenced in Richard Wagner’s opera “Das Rheingold” and Neil Gaiman’s book “Norse Mythology,” among other modern works.

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