Baldur’s immediate family is Odin (father), Frigg (mother), Nanna (wife), and Forseti (son), with Höðr as his brother. In the wider Norse kinship web, he is also half-brother to Thor, Týr, Heimdall, and others, and his death at Höðr’s hand is the central tragedy of the mythology.
Parents: Odin and Frigg
Baldur is the son of Odin, the Allfather, and Frigg, Odin’s wife. In the Prose Edda, Snorri Sturluson lists Baldur among the Æsir gods and explicitly names Odin and Frigg as his parents. Frigg is the goddess of marriage and foresight, and her attempt to protect Baldur from all threats drives the story of his death.
Odin had many children by different mothers, so Baldur’s paternal half-siblings include Thor (son of Jörð), Týr (son of the giantess Hymir in some accounts), Heimdall (son of nine mothers), and Vidar (son of the giantess Gríðr). Frigg, however, is Baldur’s mother alone among the major gods.
Wife and Son: Nanna and Forseti
Baldur’s wife is Nanna, a goddess associated with the moon in some late sources. Their son is Forseti, the god of justice and reconciliation, who dwells in the hall Glitnir. The Prose Edda names Forseti as Baldur’s son, and he is said to settle all disputes peacefully.
Nanna dies of grief after Baldur is killed, and her body is placed on his funeral pyre. She is not mentioned as a mother in any surviving myth beyond Forseti, and her own parentage is not recorded in the main sources.
Siblings: Höðr, Thor, and Others
Baldur’s full brother is Höðr, the blind god, who kills him with a mistletoe spear. The Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda both tell that Höðr was tricked by Loki into throwing the mistletoe, since it was the one thing that had not sworn to spare Baldur.
His half-siblings through Odin include:
- Thor – god of thunder, son of Odin and Jörð.
- Týr – god of war, son of Odin and the giantess Hymir (in the Prose Edda).
- Heimdall – watchman of the gods, son of Odin and nine giantess mothers.
- Vidar – god of vengeance, son of Odin and the giantess Gríðr.
- Bragi – god of poetry, son of Odin (in some lists).
Baldur’s half-sister may include Sjöfn, a goddess of love, but her parentage is unclear; the Prose Edda lists her among the goddesses without naming her father.
The Death of Baldur: How the Family Tree Collapses
The central myth involving Baldur’s family is his death and the aftermath. Frigg extracts an oath from all things—fire, water, stones, metals, diseases, and so on—not to harm Baldur. But she overlooks the mistletoe, thinking it too young to swear. Loki crafts a spear from mistletoe and puts it in Höðr’s hand, guiding him to throw it at Baldur, who dies instantly.
The gods try to bring Baldur back from Hel. Hermóðr rides to Hel on Odin’s horse Sleipnir, and Hel agrees to release Baldur if all things weep for him. But the giantess Þökk (often believed to be Loki in disguise) refuses to weep, and Baldur remains in Hel. The Prose Edda says that Baldur will be released after Ragnarök, when the world is reborn.
Baldur in the Reborn World
After Ragnarök, Baldur returns from Hel along with Höðr, and the two are reconciled. The Völuspá, the first poem of the Poetic Edda, describes a new earth rising from the sea, and the gods who survive—including Baldur and Höðr—gather to talk. This makes Baldur’s family tree extend beyond the end of the world: he is the only major god whose death is explicitly undone in the new world.
Common Misconceptions
One common mistake is that Baldur is the son of Odin and Freya. Freya is a Vanir goddess, not Frigg, and she is not Baldur’s mother. Another misconception is that Baldur is immortal; actually, he is only invulnerable to most things, and the mistletoe loophole proves he can die.
People also confuse Baldur with the Christian figure of Jesus, because of the “death and rebirth” motif. While similarities exist, the Norse myth predates Christianity and has its own logic: Baldur’s death is a tragedy caused by Loki, not a sacrifice for sin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Baldur’s parents?
Baldur’s parents are Odin, the chief of the Æsir, and Frigg, the goddess of marriage. This is stated in the Prose Edda and generally accepted in Norse mythology.
Who is Baldur’s wife and son?
His wife is Nanna, and their son is Forseti, the god of justice. Nanna dies of grief after Baldur’s death, and Forseti is known for his peaceful resolution of disputes.
Is Baldur related to Thor?
Yes, Baldur and Thor are half-brothers, both sons of Odin. Their mothers are different: Baldur’s mother is Frigg, while Thor’s mother is Jörð, the earth goddess.
Who killed Baldur?
Baldur was killed by his brother Höðr, who threw a mistletoe spear. Loki tricked Höðr into doing it, since Höðr was blind and could not see what he was throwing.
Does Baldur come back to life?
Yes, after Ragnarök, Baldur returns from Hel and is reconciled with Höðr. The Völuspá describes him living in the new world.
Why did Frigg not protect Baldur from mistletoe?
Frigg overlooked mistletoe because it was small and young, and she thought it could not harm anyone. She did not take its oath, so Loki used it to kill Baldur.
Related
- Laufey in Norse Mythology: Loki’s Mother
- Uni in Etruscan Mythology: Queen of the Gods
- Electra in Greek Mythology: Roles and Myths
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