Heimdall << HAYM dawl >> was the god of vigilance (watchfulness), protection, and light in Teutonic mythology. Teutonic mythology includes the myths of Scandinavia and Germany. It is sometimes called Norse mythology. Heimdall was the guardian of the Bifrost, a rainbow bridge connecting Asgard, the home of the Norse gods, with Midgard, where human beings lived. Heimdall controlled all travel on the Bifrost, acting as the gatekeeper and watchman of Asgard.
Heimdall is one of the Aesir << AY sihr >> , a clan of gods who lived in Asgard. His father was the chief Aesir god, Odin. Heimdall was said to have nine mothers, which may be a reference to nine mythological sisters that personified ocean waves. Heimdall lived in the Himinbjörg << HIHM inn byawrg >> (Sky Cliffs), at the end of the Bifrost.
Heimdall could see and hear everything happening throughout the world. He could even sense some of the future. Heimdall was a fierce warrior. Like all of the Aesir, he had incredible strength, speed, and stamina. He could withstand injury and heal quickly. Heimdall had shining golden teeth, which earned him the nickname Guillintani (Gold Tooth). His weapon was Hofund, an enchanted sword. He rode Golltoppr (Gold Top), his golden-maned horse. But his most notable possession was Gjallarhorn << YAWL ahr HOORN >> , a trumpet used to signal threats to Asgard.
Heimdall was a friend of Thor, the god of thunder, another son of Odin. Heimdall once told Thor how to get back his famous hammer, Mjollnir << MYOHL neer >> , after it was stolen by a giant. Heimdall’s enemy was the trickster god Loki. Loki was constantly testing the rules of Asgard, which Heimdall had sworn to protect.
Heimdall was known as “Loki’s bane” because the two were destined to kill each other at Ragnarok, a climactic battle between the Aesir and a race of giants called the Jotun << YOH tun >> . At Ragnarok’s beginning, Heimdall would spot the enemy army, sounding Gjallarhorn as the giants crossed the Bifrost into Asgard. The giants would attack the gods, joined by monsters and the traitor Loki. In the battle that followed, nearly every god, giant, and monster would die, and Asgard would be destroyed.
