Editing Heimdall (section)

{{Short description|Norse deity}}
{{About|the Old Norse god||Heimdall (disambiguation)}}
[[File:Nils Asplund - Heimdal.jpg|thumb|''Heimdallr brings forth the gift of the gods to humanity'' (1907) by Nils Asplund]]

In [[Norse mythology]], '''Heimdall''' (from [[Old Norse]] '''Heimdallr'''; modern [[Icelandic language|Icelandic]] '''Heimdallur''') is a [[Æsir|god]]. He is the son of [[Odin]] and nine mothers. Heimdall keeps watch for invaders and the onset of [[Ragnarök]] from his dwelling [[Himinbjörg]], where the burning rainbow bridge [[Bifröst]] meets the sky. He is attested as possessing foreknowledge and keen senses, particularly eyesight and hearing. The god and his possessions are described in enigmatic manners. For example, Heimdall is golden-toothed, "the head is called his sword," and he is "the whitest of the gods."

Heimdall possesses the resounding horn [[Gjallarhorn]] and the golden-maned horse [[Gulltoppr]], along with a store of [[mead]] at his dwelling. He is the son of [[Nine Mothers of Heimdallr|Nine Mothers]], and he is said to be the originator of [[social class]]es among humanity. Other notable stories include the recovery of Freyja's treasured possession [[Brísingamen]] while doing battle in the shape of a [[Pinniped|seal]] with [[Loki]]. The antagonistic relationship between Heimdall and Loki is notable, as they are foretold to kill one another during the events of Ragnarök. Heimdallr is also known as '''Rig''', '''Hallinskiði''', '''Gullintanni''', and '''Vindlér''' or '''Vindhlér'''.

Heimdall is attested in the ''[[Poetic Edda]]'', compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional material; in the ''[[Prose Edda]]'' and ''[[Heimskringla]]'', both written in the 13th century; in the poetry of [[skald]]s; and likely in a [[Runic inscriptions|runic inscription]] on the [[Saltfleetby spindle-whorl]] found in [[England]]. Two lines of an otherwise lost poem about the god, ''[[Heimdalargaldr]]'', survive. Due to the enigmatic nature of these attestations, scholars have produced various theories about the nature of the god, including his relation to [[sheep]], borders, and waves.