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Encyclopedia of Religion entry forBalderAlso written Baldr, the name of a god in Teutonic religion (cp. Anglo-Saxon bealdor "prince "). He is a god of light. His original home was perhaps in Denmark, for he figures most frequently in Danish legends. In Denmark too are Baldersbrond where he quenched the thirst of warriors by making water spring from the ground, and Baldrshoje where he is buried. Balder is said to have been wounded in a fierce struggle with Hotherus, son of a Swedish king, the two antagonists being rivals for the love of Nanna, the beautiful daughter of the Norwegian king Gevarus. Balder could only be wounded by Miming‘s sword, of which Hotherus had contrived to obtain possession. There are variations of the legend: According to another account, he was killed with mistletoe. All things had been put under oath not to harm him, except the mistletoe, which had been overlooked. In Norse mythology Balder has become more human; he is "the beaming hero, beloved of all" (C. de La Saussaye). Scenes from the legend of Balder seem to have been depicted on the two golden horns, dating from the fifth or beginning of the sixth century, found in Southern Jutland in 1639 and 1734. There is also reference to the legend in a magic formula (perhaps of the eighth century) found at Merseburg in 1841. See P. D. Chantepie de La Saussaye, Rel. of the Teutons, 1902. citations: Encyc. of Rel., Canney
article created 2006-04-12 , last updated 2006-04-12 |
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