Translations / modern equivalents are given in brackets {}
Could be Aesir or Vanir depending upon your own personal viewpoint. He embodies qualities of both houses in the warrior, nuturer and seer.
Heimdall or Heimdallr, is itself a nickname, his actual name being lost, probably with the Heimdalargaldr saga. Other names he is known by include.
Hallinskidi {Ram}
Vindhler {Protector from the wind}
Gullintanni
{Golden Teeth}
Rig / Rigr {King}
White god
Guardian of the gods
Watchman
of the gods
Imposing of appearance and stature, with obvious physical and mental strength and endurance.
Heimdall is the watchmen of the gods at Bifrost, the bridge that links Asgard and Midgard. He will sound the Gjallarhorn to call the gods to Ragnarok when the Frost Giants attack. To fullfill this task he is ever vigilant needing ' less sleep than a bird', with keen senses he 'can see a hundred leagues by day or night' and 'hear grass growing and the wool growing on the backs of sheep and anything louder than that'.
Heimdall has been shown as having wisdom, being described as 'kind of counsel' in poetry and has provided sage advice to the other gods in the Lay of Thrym, regarding the recovery of Thor's hammer Mjollnir from the Frost Giants. Here too he is credited with the ability to read the future.
As Rig (or Rigr) he becomes the father of mankind, creating the three classes: slave, farmer and warrior. He then teaches his warrior son Jarl the rune wisdom, appearing equal to Odin in this respect.
Heimdall and Loki are mortal enemies, appearing equally matched on the occasions they have clashed. Some equate Heimdall with the Indian fire god Agni and as such he could be seen as an 'anti-Loki' with similar powers to those of the trickster.
Described as a splendid god, taken to mean handsome, the embodiment of physical form. He posses golden teeth and wears a ram's horn helmet.
Himinbiorg {Heavens Edge / Heavens Palace} stands by the Bifrost bridge. Described as a pleasant hall where Heimdall enjoys a good mead, presumably from his horn Gjallahorn.
Snorri tells us that Heimdall is a son of Odin.
However he is also the son of nine maidens, who are also sisters. What these maidens were is the subject of conjecture. Some say they were the waves of the sea, some that they were giantesses or even valkyries. Their names, though, have been recorded: Gjalp, Greip, Eistla, Eyrgiafa, Ulfun, Angeyja, Imdr, Atla and Jarnsaxa.
As Rig he is the father of mankind. With his sons, Thrall, Karl and Jarl.
Hofud {mans head} - his sword
Gjallarhorn {Clangorous Horn} - his horn, which when sounded is heard across the 9 worlds. It will be used to summon the gods to battle at Ragnarok. It has been recorded that Heimdall sometimes keeps Gjallahorn at Mimir's Well, where Odin used it to drink from the well of knowledge. This fact implies that Heimdall may also have drunk from the well too and thus have wisdom and presumably his second sight will tell him when he needs Gjallahorn to hand at Bifrost.
Guardianship
Watchfulness
Thoughtfulness
Quiet power and
strength
Gulltoppr {Golden Topped / Golden Mane} - his horse
Ram - Heimdall has
been linked to the ram, one of his names Hallinskidi translates as ram
A common Norse kenning for sword is either 'Heimdall's head' or 'Heimdall's doom', seemingly referred to a lost myth of Heimdall, presumably the Heimdalargaldr {Lay of Heimndallr}. It is in this poem that we may also find his real name should it ever be discovered.
Enmity with Loki - see Lokasenna {Loki's Quarrel}, where Heimdall accuses Loki of being drunk, the Husdrapa {House Lay} mentions the battle between Heimdall and Loki as seals over Freyja's necklace Brisingamen and Gylfaginning where it is told that they will do battle and kill each other at Ragnarok.
Heimdall/Rig's fathering of mankind is told in the Rigsthula {Lay of Rig}. He travels to Midgard and visits three childless couples, whom he charms with his manner and words, and by which he fathers three sons. These sons become the heads of the households whose families give rise to the three classes of Norse society the slaves, farmers and warriors.
Thrymskvida {Lay of Thrym} tells of the return of Mjollnir from the Frost Giant Thrym, who demands Freyja as bride in return. Heimdall suggests Thor dress as the bride and this done Thor regains his hammer and appropriate vengance on the Giants.
Heimdall has been compared to other religious figures. Included are Yggdrasil itself as the stable core of the 9 worlds; Agni the Hindu fire god also of several mothers, keen senses and father of mankind; Mithras the middle eastern god of light; St. Micheal and Christ in the Christian faith.
Gods Of The North - Brian Branston
Dictionary Of Northern Mythology -
Rudolf Simek
Poetic Edda - Caroline Larrington (translator)
Edda -
Snorri Sturluson
The Norse Myths - Kevin Crossley-Holland
Gods &
Myths Of Northern Europe - H R Ellis-Davidson
Mythology - Richard Cavendish
(editor)