hel

In Norse mythology Hel is the goddess of well hell! She is the daughter of Loki and Angrboda. She resides in hell and rules over it judging the dead. As thanks for making her the ruler of the underworld she gave Odin two gifts. Two ravens named Huginn and Muninn (Though and Wisdom). They are the messengers from her realm and Asgard. Her appearance is said to be half dead and half alive. In Divination her special symbol is Hagalaz, and Hail: The embodiment of the icy realm she rules over. Because of her special role in the death of mothers and child she is beleived to be the guardian of children because she protects and takes care of mother who die during childbirth and children in general. When Baldur was killed by Loki he was sent to Hel because when you die you are not allowed to go back and haunt the place that you died so he went to Hel's realm and he was met with a feast because Hel wanted to show him that she isn't the soul torturing witch she was made out to be. If every single thing on earth cries for the fallen god she will let him go back to Asgard. Everyone weeps a old and bitter witch who said "I shall not weep for the god because people die everyday! If I weep it will only be dry tears!" so Baldr stayed in Hell. In Norse mythology if you "Go to Hel" you die and that's where the phrase comes from. Source 1 Source 2