Baldr's Funeral Ship

How did the gods bid Baldr farewell?

The gods carried Baldr's body to the shore. His funeral was to take place aboard Hringhorni, the largest of all ships. But when they tried to push it out to sea, it would not move. The gods sent for the giantess Hyrrokkin.

With a single push at the prow, Hyrrokkin sent the ship moving. Fire flew from the rollers beneath it, and the earth shook. Baldr's body was carried aboard. At the sight, his wife Nanna died of grief. Her body was laid on the funeral pyre too.

The pyre was lit. Thor blessed the funeral fire with his hammer. When the dwarf Lit ran past his feet, Thor kicked him into the flames. Odin laid the golden arm ring Draupnir on the fire. Every 9 nights, this ring produced 8 golden arm rings of the same weight.

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