# Baldur — Bulfinch’s Mythology character guide

> Baldur in Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Baldur Baldur the Good, Baldur The gods

**First appearance:** 0004-i-introduction

## Who they are

Beloved Norse god whose death triggers the onset of Ragnarok.

## In the story

### [Of Thor and the Other Gods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/of-thor-and-the-other-gods)

Baldur is referenced indirectly as one of the gods, but the chapter focuses on other deities.

### [XL: The Death of Baldur—The Elves—Runic Letters—Iceland—Teutonic Mythology—Nibelungen Lied](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xl-the-death-of-baldur-the-elves-runic-letters-iceland-teutonic-mythology-nibelungen-lied)

Baldur the Good is killed by a mistletoe dart thrown by Hodur under Loki's guidance, after Frigga had secured oaths from all things except the mistletoe.

### [The Death of Baldur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-death-of-baldur)

The beloved god whose death is orchestrated by Loki's deceit.

### [The Funeral of Baldur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-funeral-of-baldur)

Dead body placed on funeral pile aboard his ship Hringham.

### [Ragnarok, the Twilight of the Gods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ragnarok-the-twilight-of-the-gods)

Implied as part of the gods' assembly, though not explicitly mentioned in the excerpt.

### [Wagner’s Nibelungen Ring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/wagner-s-nibelungen-ring)

Not directly present; the chapter focuses on Wagner's characters, but Baldur is a canonical figure from Norse mythology.

### [B](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/b)

Son of Odin, representing the sun-god in Norse mythology.

### [H](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/h)

Killed by Hodur with a mistletoe-twig, as referenced in Norse mythology.

### [N](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/n)

Husband of Nanna.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/endnotes)

Referenced in relation to Tegner's Drapa and the superstition of his death.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/baldur
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters