Norse Mythology · deity

Höðr

deitythe blind brother of Baldr

The blind brother of Baldr, who unknowingly threw the mistletoe dart that killed his brother, at Loki's instigation.

Höðr · Carl Emil Doepler (1824-1905) · undated · Wikimedia Commons (institution in source file) · Public domain

The account

Who they are

Höðr is the blind brother of Baldr. At Loki's instigation (disguised as an old woman), Höðr was led to throw a mistletoe dart at Baldr, killing him [S2]. Höðr is a figure of tragic innocence — he did not know what he was doing, and he is the unwitting instrument of the great tragedy [S2].

Worth knowing

Blind brother of Baldr [S2].
Unwittingly killed Baldr at Loki's instigation [S2].

Relationships (4)

Connections

Family & kinship

SIBLING_OFBaldr — Baldr and Höðr are brothers.[S2]

Conflict & enmity

KILLEDBaldr — Höðr (at Loki's instigation) threw the mistletoe that killed Baldr.[S2]

KILLEDVáli — Váli will slay Höðr, the killer of Baldr.[S2]

Alliances & rule

ALLY_OFLoki — Loki instigated Höðr to throw the mistletoe at Baldr.[S2]

Local graph

Their corner of the divine world

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hierarchical — generations top → bottom, partners side by side

Overlays

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Myths featuring Höðr

1 story

The Death of Baldr

Baldr, the brightest of the gods, had dreams of his death. His mother Frigg extracted oaths from all things not to harm him — except the mistletoe. Loki, disguised as an old woman, learned of this and guided Baldr's blind brother Höðr to throw a mistletoe dart at Baldr, killing him [S2]. Baldr's death is the beginning of the end, setting the chain of events that leads to Ragnarök [S1][S2].

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