Hermóðr (Old Norse: Hermóðr) is a figure in the Norse mythological corpus most prominently associated with the mission to retrieve Baldr from Hel following Baldr’s death. Gylfaginning recounts that Hermóðr volunteered — or was sent by Odin — to ride Sleipnir to Hel to negotiate Baldr’s return. After riding for nine nights through deep, dark valleys, he crossed the Gjöll bridge and leaped Sleipnir over the gate of Hel. Hel agreed to release Baldr only if all things in the world would weep for him. Hermóðr returned bearing gifts from Baldr and Nanna, including the ring Draupnir.

The question of Hermóðr’s divine status is genuinely uncertain. In Hyndluljóð (st. 2), ‘Hermóðr and Sigurðr’ are listed in a context some scholars interpret as treating Hermóðr as a mortal hero rewarded by Odin. Gylfaginning treats him as one of the Æsir and names Odin as his father. The tenth-century skaldic poem Eiríksmál places Hermóðr alongside Bragi as a greeter of the newly arrived king Eiríkr blóðøx in Valhöll.