Heimdall: Norse God

Heimdall is the guardian of Asgard. He sits at the end of the Bifröst, a rainbow bridge, and waits with his horn to call out the approach of enemies. He is always pictured with his horn and a ram’s head helmet.

Heimdall

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Heimdall was a son of Odin and Frigg. He is known as the gods’ watchman. He resided in the Sky Cliffs known as Himinbjörg, and sat at the end of a rainbow bridge called Bifröst which led to Asgard. His job was to blow his horn at the sound of any approaching enemies, and he could see and hear for miles away. He was also supposed to blow his horn to announce the beginning of Ragnarök. His horn was called the Gjallarhorn, which means “Resounding Horn”.

Heimdall came up with the brilliant plan to have Thor disguise himself as Freya and go through the marriage ceremony with the giant Thrym who had stolen his hammer. As soon as the hammer was placed in his lap during the ceremony, as per tradition, Thor picked it up and killed all of the giants.

Heimdall also rescued Freya’s beautiful golden necklace from Loki, who had stolen it, turned into a seal, and gone to the sea rocks to keep it safe. Heimdall also turned himself into a seal and struck Loki, taking him by surprise. He returned the necklace to Freya.

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Heimdall Quick Reference

Parents

Odin and Frigg

Domain / Power

Guardian of Asgard

Symbols

• horn
• ram's head helmet
• Bifröst

Notable Myths

• The Himinbjörg
• Theft of Thor’s Hammer
• The Golden Necklace

Frequently Asked Questions about Heimdall: Norse God

Who is Heimdall in Norse mythology?

Heimdall is a Norse god known as the guardian of the rainbow bridge, Bifröst, which connects the world of humans to the realm of the gods. He is famous for his extraordinary senses and for warning the gods of danger.

What powers or abilities does Heimdall have?

Heimdall has superhuman sight and hearing, allowing him to see for hundreds of miles and hear grass growing. These abilities make him a perfect watchman for Asgard.

Why is Heimdall called the guardian of Bifröst?

Heimdall is called the guardian of Bifröst because he stands watch at the rainbow bridge to prevent intruders from entering Asgard, the home of the gods.

What is the importance of Heimdall in the story of Ragnarok?

Heimdall plays a key role in Ragnarok, the end of the world in Norse myths. He is destined to sound his horn to alert the gods of the final battle and will fight Loki during Ragnarok.

How can teachers use Heimdall's story in classroom lessons?

Teachers can use Heimdall's story to introduce students to Norse mythology, explore themes of vigilance and duty, or compare myths from different cultures as part of literacy or history lessons.