Helheim ("house of Hel") is one of the
nine worlds of Norse mythology. It is ruled by Hel, the monstrous daughter of the trickster god
Loki and his wife Angrboda.
This
cold, dark and misty abode of the dead is located in the world of Niflheim, on the lowest level of the Norse universe. No one can ever leave this place, because of the impassable river Gjoll that flows from the spring Hvergelmir and encircles Helheim. Once they enter Helheim, not even the gods can leave. Those who
die of old age or disease, and those not killed in battle, go to Helheim while those who
die bravely on the battlefield go to Valhalla.
The entrance to Helheim is guarded by Garm, a monstrous hound, and Modgud. The giant Hraesvelg ("corpse
eater") sits at the
edge of the world, overlooking Helheim. In the form of an eagle with flapping wings he makes the wind blow.