Hel and the Realm of the Dead

What is Hel, who receives the dead, like?

In Gylfaginning, Hel is Loki's daughter. The gods learn of a prophecy that Hel and her siblings will bring great disasters. They have the children brought to them, and Hel is cast into Niflheim.

Hel is given the power to rule 9 worlds. People who die of illness or old age are sent to her. She assigns them food and lodging. Her dwelling is surrounded by very high fences and has great gates.

Her hall is called Eljudnir. Her dish is named Hunger, and her knife is named Famine. Half her body is blue-black, and half is the color of flesh. She often looks down and has a fearsome expression. The Sayings of Grimnir says that she lives beneath a root of Yggdrasil.

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