Welcome to my fourth in the series of articles which concern themselves with the origins and stories surrounding the figures from Norse mythology who lend their names to the vessels in Viking River Cruises’ ever-growing fleet of Viking Longships. I’m working through the ships alphabetically, so this time it’s the turn of Baldur.

Who was Baldur?

Baldur, also known as Baldr or Balder, is the Norse god of light, joy and purity. He is one of the numerous sons of Odin and his wife Frigga and counts Thor, god of thunder, as one of his brothers.

More about Baldur

Baldur was one of the most popular characters both with the gods in Odin’s court and with mortals, too. He was renowned for his indestructability and during the great banquets held in Asgaard, he was often the centre of attention, with his invincibility becoming a party trick as guests would throw objects at him, only to marvel at his imperviousness.

Tragically, his indestructability was ultimately proven to be untrue and Baldur’s death is regarded a great Norse tragedy and instrumental in the coming of Ragnarok – a series of cataclysmic future events in Norse mythology. It came about when the notorious Norse mischief-maker Loki discovered that mistletoe was the one thing that could kill Baldur and tricked his brother Hod into throwing a spear created using sprig of it at the god, thus killing him.

Interesting facts

The tradition of kissing under the Mistletoe at Christmas has its origins in Baldur’s tragic tale. According to Scandinavian custom, if you came across the plant while out in the woods and found yourself under it when facing a foe, both of you should put down your weapons until the day after. The ‘laying down of arms’ under the plant transformed over time into a tradition of kissing under it, and because the plant was plentiful during the yuletide season, it became synonymous with it and the kissing tradition continued.

It’s believed by some that the Viking story of Baldur and his weakness to Mistletoe was the inspiration for the creation of the fictional material Kryptonite and the equally impervious Superman’s weakness to it.

Quite appropriately considering he now gives his name to a Viking river cruise ship, according to the learned Icelandic poet Snorri Sturluson, Baldur was in possession of Hringhorni, reported to be the greatest ship ever built.