Hel And Hades Similarities

The Resemblance and Distinctness in Hades and Hel Myths and legends served as bases for cultures of old and largely reflect the civilization they derive from. An undeniably extensive part of a culture is the gods that they prayed to and feared. Nations used gods and aspects of gods to demonstrate their way of life, terrors, ambitions, and to explain the strange occurrences in life. A great example of this reflection comes from the lore of the Nordic and Greek people. The Nordic goddess Hel and the Greek god Hades serve as prime examples of what these cultures had in resemblance and in polarity. It is surprising how many characteristics these completely unrelated gods had in common and how many they didn’t. Comparing them, their territory,

Hades was known for using the famed Furies, the female spirits of justice and vengeance. These spirits were charged with the work of punishing the dead and were quite effective at doing so as they were a spawn of pain and fear (Hades Myths and Legends). Hel utilized her two servants Ganglati and Ganglot as instruments of service, it is told that they moved so slowly that it seemed as if they weren’t moving at all (Hel UXL Encyclopedia). The explanation as to why these gods have their own servants originates from the commonplace occurrence where those with great power or great wealth have their maids and housekeepers, back in the day this may have been in the form of slaves as influential members of Greek and Nordic society had dozens of them after conquering their lands and taking them prisoner. Gods were viewed as supremely powerful beings and therefore could not be without their personal servants to do their every will. Citizens of both cultures could personally depict that these were almighty gods solely on their use of

Whether it be Hel’s and Hades’ similar terrible upcoming, strange pattern of abducting, or their usage of servants and fellow canines, it is clear that these cultures and gods, although far apart, weren’t all that different.Their difference in dealing with the dead and variability with the features of their homeland also solidifies that these societies and gods were in their ways, unique to each other. By using these detailed comparisons you have opened up the door into a whole new world of