Baldur is the God of light, radiance, peace and forgiveness. He is the son of Odin and Frigga and is the twin brother of Hod. He was one of the most loved Gods as he was generous, joyous and made everyone happy.

Baldur once had a nightmare that he would be killed. His mother, Frigga told Odin to decipher this nightmare. Odin mounted on his stallion, Sleipnir and visited a dead sorceress who lived in the underworld. Odin disguised himself as a traveller. When he entered the underworld, he saw a grand feast laid out and welcome arrangements being done. Odin woke the sorceress and asked her the reason for the celebration, to which she responded that the welcome arrangements were made for Baldur.

When Odin returned back, he told his wife Frigga about the prophecy. Frigga made all the things across the Nine Realms vow not to hurt or harm Baldur. Hence, Baldur could not be hurt by fire, water, iron or any other metals, stones, trees, illness, poison, any beast, bird or animal etc. Frigga then was calmed as in a way she had made her son immortal and hence his nightmare would not come true. The other Gods, out of a friendly joke would also throw stones of weapons at Baldur as he could not be killed. The mistletoe did not vow. However, as Frigg considered it to be so unimportant and harmless, that she thought nothing of it. Once Loki found out that the mistletoe had not vowed, he made a spear out of the mistletoe leaves. Loki then approached Hodr who is the blind God and tricked him into throwing the spear at Baldur. He told him to participate in the fun event of throwing weapons in Baldur’s honour, like the other Gods had done, and directed the angle with which the spear was to be thrown. The spear pierced through Baldur and instantly killed him. While everyone wept at this tragedy, Baldur had a grand funeral. The Gods realized that Loki’s trick and mischief had gone beyond the normal this time. They also made the mistletoe promise never to hurt anyone in the future and only be linked to happiness. That is why the myth of hanging the mistletoe and kissing under the mistletoe originated which symbolizes goodness and happiness.