THE DEATH
OF BALDER
Balder was the son of Odin and
Frigg, and the most handsome of
all the gods. One night he had a
dream that he would die. When
Frigg found out about it, she made
every living thing – animals, trees, and plants – promise not to
harm her son. But while doing this, the goddess forgot to ask one
plant, the mistletoe. Assuming that Balder was invincible, the gods
often used him as a target for knife-throwing and archery. One day,
they were hurling around all kinds of objects, such as rocks and
branches. Loki had craftily learned from Frigg the secret that Balder
was not immune to the mistletoe. He sharpened a twig of mistletoe to
make a dart, placed it in the hand of the blind god Höd and helped
Höd aim it at Balder. The dart pierced Balder’s heart and killed him.
LOKITRICKSTERS FROM
OTHER CULTURES
Most mythologies have a trickster figure, a god
who likes to play pranks on other deities or cause
widespread chaos. These figures often have a large
appetite for sex, food, and mischief. Such tricksters
are usually a source of great amusement, but their
pranks, like many of Loki’s, can also have serious
consequences. Some tricksters are also heroes, and
carry out brave deeds, like the Hindu god Hanuman.
They may also be culture heroes, figures
who bring the skills of civilization – such as fire-
making, cooking, and medicine – to the human race.HANDSOME IN APPEARANCE,
WICKED IN CHARACTER,
AND VERY CHANGEABLE
IN HIS WAYS. Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, c.1220
Balder’s murder
Höd was pleased when Loki helped him aim the dart
made of mistletoe, but devastated when he learned
that he had killed Balder, his brother.Enki
The creator god of
Mesopotamia was
also a trickster with
an insatiable sexual
appetite that even
extended to his own
daughter and
granddaughter.Hanuman
The son of the Hindu wind
god Vayu, Hanuman once
tried to swallow the sun. A
trickster in his youth, he later
became a staunch devotee of
Lord Rama.Ananse
This West African spider god
was credited with teaching
humans such skills as
fire-making, but he was also
an incorrigible trickster.Coyote
Appearing in many
North American
myths, Coyote loved
making mischief and
once blew out the
light of the moon.Mistletoe
The evergreen plant mistletoe, which bears
fruit in the winter, is often regarded as a
symbol of new birth. Ironically, it caused
the death of Balder, beloved of the gods.The punishment of Loki
Loki was punished for causing Balder’s
death by being bound with the entrails of
his son. The giantess Skadi placed a snake
above him, which dripped venom onto him.61