Móðguðr
Encyclopedia
In Norse mythology
, Móðguðr (Modgud) was the giantess guardian of the Gjallarbrú
. She allowed the newly dead to use the bridge to cross from one side of the river Gjöll
to the other if the soul stated his or her name and business. Hermóðr
passed by her as he travelled to Hel
to attempt to ransom Baldr.
Norse mythology
Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...
, Móðguðr (Modgud) was the giantess guardian of the Gjallarbrú
Gjallarbrú
In Norse mythology, Gjallarbrú is a bridge spanning the river Gjöll in the underworld, which must be crossed in order to reach Hel, according to Gylfaginning. It is described as a covered bridge, "thatched with glittering gold", and figures most prominently in the story of Baldr, specifically when...
. She allowed the newly dead to use the bridge to cross from one side of the river Gjöll
Gjöll
In Norse mythology, Gjöll is one of the eleven rivers traditionally associated with the Élivágar, according to Gylfaginning, originating from the wellspring Hvergelmir in Niflheim, flowing through Ginnungagap, and thence into the worlds of existence...
to the other if the soul stated his or her name and business. Hermóðr
Hermóðr
Hermóðr the Brave is a figure in Norse mythology, the son of god Odin.-Prose Edda:Hermóðr appears distinctly in section 49 of the Prose Edda book Gylfaginning. There, it is described that the gods were speechless and devastated at the death of Baldr, unable to react due to their grief...
passed by her as he travelled to Hel
Hel (realm)
In Norse mythology, Hel, the location, shares a name with Hel, a female figure associated with the location. In late Icelandic sources, varying descriptions of Hel are given and various figures are described as being buried with items that will facilitate their journey to Hel after their death...
to attempt to ransom Baldr.