Hel (goddess)

Hel is a goddess from Norse mythology who rules over the realm of the same name, Helheim, where many of the dead dwell, especially those who did not die heroically in battle. She is often depicted as a figure of somber, shadowed attributes, embodying the Norse understanding of death and the afterlife outside of Valhalla. Daughter of Loki and the giantess Angrboða, Hel's presence signifies the transition from life to death and the natural cycle of existence. She plays a significant role in mythological stories that explore mortality and the afterlife in Norse culture.