Höðr is a blind god, the brother of Baldr and a son of Odin and Frigg in Norse mythology. Tricked and guided by Loki, he shot the mistletoe arrow which was to slay the otherwise invulnerable Baldr.
History[]
Winning Nanna's Hand[]
Before her marriage to Baldr, Nanna was the love interest of both Baldr and Höðr, Baldr's brother. Spurred by their mutual attraction to Nanna, Baldr and Höðr repeatedly do battle. Nanna was only interested in Höðr only for Baldr to take Nanna during their final showdown. Höðr wastes away from nightmares about Nanna resulting in him going blind in an attempt to no longer perceive the nightmares.
Death of Baldr[]
Baldr, who is portrayed as being a charming, beloved, innocent sufferer, had dreams that foretold his imminent death. His mother, Frigg, went around and obtained oaths from everything in the world that they would not harm her son. The only being she omitted was the mistletoe, as she thought it to be too small and harmless a thing to be of any real consequence in this matter. When the wily trickster Loki discovered this oversight, he fashioned a mistletoe spear.
While all the gods were amusing themselves by throwing every available projectile at Baldr and laughing as the things bounced off of their unharmed companion, Loki approached Höðr, portrayed as blind and rather gullible, with the mistletoe spear. Moreover, Höðr still held feelings of resentment towards Baldr for having taken Nanna from him which Loki played upon to his advantage. He convinced Höðr to throw the spear at Baldr to contribute to the game and to honor the strength of his brother. With Loki guiding his hand, Höðr launched the spear at Baldr. The weapon pierced him, and, to the shock and horror of all present, he fell down dead on the spot.
Death[]
In reaction to this, Odin had the giantess Rindr give birth to Váli, who grew to adulthood within a day and slew the blind god. The death of Baldr, however, consequently set a chain of events as prophesied that with his death, Ragnarök will come to pass.