Hel (location)

In Norse mythology, Hel, the location, shares a name with Hel, a female figure associated with the location. To avoid confusion between the two, a number of academic studies in Teutonic literature have often referred to this underworld as Helheim (Helheimr, from O.N. heimr, heima — "home", "region", "world": "abode of Hel") and Helviti (Helvíti, from Old Icel. víti, deriv. of O.E. wite — "fine", "sconce", "penalty": "punishment of Hel"). In late Icelandic sources, varying descriptions of Hel are given and various figures are described as being buried with items that will facilitate their journey to Hel after their death. In the Poetic Edda, Brynhildr's trip to Hel after her death is described and Odin, while alive, also visits Hel upon his horse Sleipnir. In Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, Baldr goes to Hel on his death and subsequently Hermóðr uses Sleipnir to attempt to retrieve him. The legendary "Hel-shoes" are described in Gísla saga..