Who is Heimdall?

What we know from myth, history, and inspiration

by Eric. S.

In Norse mythology, Heimdall is most often summarized as the Watchman of the Aesir and the Guardian God of the Bifrost (the Rainbow Bridge to Asgard). This is accurate, but there are important nuances to his role that this statement overlooks. While much lore regarding Heimdall is lost, what we do have is a powerful example of the importance of duty to our ancestors and to us. Sources do not even agree as to whether Heimdall is Aesir or Vanir. In one place he is Odin’s son and another “one of the prophetic Vanir”. My view is that his chosen duty transcends such concerns, although he certainly has a strong connection to Freyja.

Heimdall is known by a number of names, including:

• Hama (Anglo-Saxon)
• Heimdallr, Heimdalr, Heimdall, Heimdal
• Rig / Rigr (King)
• Hallinskidi (Ram)
• Vindler (Protector from the wind)
• Gullintanni (Golden Teeth)
• White god
• Guardian of the gods
• Guardian of the Bifrost
• Watchman of the gods
• Shining Ase
• Son of Nine Mothers
• Foe of Loki
• Seeker of Freyja’s Necklace.

Son of Nine Mothers

The first interesting difference between Heimdall and other gods is that he had nine mothers.  There are a number of interpretations this. One text reads:

A certain one was born in days of yore,

With greatly increased power,

Of the race of Gods;

Nine bore him, a man full of grace,

Giant maidens on the edge of the earth.

The names we have are Gjalp, Greip, Eistla, Eyrgjafa, Ulfrun, Angeyja, Imdr, Atla and Jarnsaxa, but it can also be argued that these are just the daughters of Aegir and Ran by another name.  There are even those who argue that he truly had one mother but that the other daughters covered for her. In the end, this is a truth you will need to work out along your path with that answer guiding you in your devotions. We can say fairly certainly that he was fed and raised in a specific and different manner:

That one was increased by the might of the earth,

Of the wave-cold sea and the blood of a sacrificial boar.

While his decision to become Watchman of the Gods came later in life, his early time clearly gave him the strength – and especially the endurance – to undertake a role that has him awake most of the time and out in all weathers.

The Watchman’s Senses 

It is said that “His hearing is so acute that He can hear the grass growing in Midgard. He needs less sleep than a bird, and His vision is as keen as His hearing regardless of whether it be day or night.” Heimdall may have sacrificed an ear in return for these abilities in the same way that Odin sacrificed an eye. Clearly, his senses are tremendously acute and aid him as the Watchman. Little escapes his notice. Heimdall is most certainly a deity of perception, attention to detail and watchfulness. He is constantly on guard and watching by his own senses, rather than the reports of others.

Freyja and Brisingamen

There seems to be some strong relationship between Freyja and Heimdall.  When Loki steals Brisingamen, it is Heimdall who recovers the item for her.  One can argue that he did this strictly because the item was stolen under his watch, or there may be a stronger connection. He takes on the form of a seal to face Loki to recover that item, and when Thor later goes off to recover his stolen hammer, recommends the wearing of Brisingamen as a gambit (along with cross-dressing) to recover the item.

Loki, Ragnarok, Lokasenna and Loki’s Foe

It is clear that Heimdall opposes Loki and is known as Loki’s Foe/Bane because they will slay each other at Ragnarok. There are some, therefore, who assume a level of enmity between the two, and there are various UPG (Unverifiable Personal Gnosis)-based tales and assumptions regarding this. In my experience, this is likely a more dispassionate situation than others are seeing.  Heimdall has a Duty, and that means that he as Warder, Guardian and Watchman must observe and protect. As Loki is more likely to oppose Asgard and the rules thereof (possibly with some good reason, possibly not), it will more often than not be Heimdall who ends up dealing with it. I do not find that enmity is required here, and much is assumed in the statement that they slay each other at Ragnarok. In such a battle, Heimdall would seem the best-suited opponent.

In the Lokasenna, we have the following exchange:

Heimdallr: “Loki, thou art drunk, and has lost thy wits. Why dost thou not leave off, Loki? But drunkenness so rules every man that he knows not of his garrulity.”

Loki: “Be silent, Heimdall! For thee in early days was that hateful life decreed; with a wet back thou must ever be, and keep watch as guardian of the gods.”

Heimdall is merely trying to calm Loki and point out that he is drunk. He does not insult him. And Loki’s worst insult is that Heimdall must keep watch. May our greatest enemy’s worst insult be that we did our jobs very well!

Also, we must remember that Heimdall was sworn to defend Asgard and the Aesir. Until the events where Loki was bound to the stone, he was counted as part of the Aesir and Heimdall was bound to protect him as well. Imagine that you knew that one of your own was misbehaving, but the rules prevented you from acting against them.  Some level of frustration would be understandable. However, even if there is some kind of strong enmity, this in no way justifies devotees of either god treating each other poorly. It is not our place to try to restage Ragnarok on Midgard or act to emulate the myths directly. 

Rig

The story of Rig rings a confusing note to a modern audience. We do not see people in the social classes of our ancestors, and such a story therefore seems discordant. It is more useful to see the story in the context of the social order of mankind and the skills needed to keep a modern society functioning. In this way, Rig symbolizes how the gods tie to a functioning society and Heimdall is tied strongly therefore to social order and functionality if less to etiquette and other elements.  Certainly, there is a reference to men and women as Heimdall’s kin, and therefore he has some connection to all of us.

Gjallar Horn

While Heimdall bears a sword and rides a horse, it is his horn that is best known. His most important duty as Watchman is to sound the alarm. Imagine, for a moment, keeping watch for millennia while waiting for a single moment that will bring about the end of everything you know. It is a sad and likely lonely duty, but one that needs to be done and done very well. Perhaps, as well, one would hope to keep the need for such a duty at bay (if possible). Never forget, when dealing with Heimdall, that he has a Mission and a Duty that overlay his every thought and action. Gjallar Horn makes him one of the most driven of the gods.

Himinbjörg (Heaven’s Castle)

Himinbjörg ‘tis called,

Where Heimdallr, they say,

Aye has his housing;

There the gods’ sentinel

Drinks in his snug hall

Gladly good mead.

In spite of everything Heimdall must do and how often he must be out in all weathers, he does maintain a hall (albeit in sight of the Bifrost) and there drinks a goodly mead. This tells me that he does have guests, though they may be rare, and that he somehow has access to good mead. It would seem unlikely that he has much time for brewing, therefore the mystery of that source would be quite revealing. Perhaps he has a small and select group of retainers that are never mentioned? The other gods seem to, and he does have a hall…

And Hail the Watchman!

Artwork at top by Thorskegga Thorn. Artwork below by Charmanderlain.