A Single Fateful Moment
Litr is a minor but unforgettable figure in Norse mythology, a dwarf remembered for one strange and unlucky moment. His entire fame rests on the great funeral of the god Baldr, the most sorrowful gathering the gods ever held.
As Baldr's body was laid upon his ship Hringhorni and the pyre was lit, the gods, giants, and other beings gathered to mourn. In the midst of the solemn rite, the dwarf Litr happened to run in front of Thor as the thunder god stood by the flames.
Whether from grief, anger, or simple bad temper, Thor kicked Litr straight into the burning pyre, and the dwarf was consumed along with Baldr. It is a small, grim detail that adds a flash of dark humor to one of the saddest of all the Norse myths.
Quick Facts
The Fateful Kick
At the Pyre
Litr crossed Thor's path as Baldr's ship was set alight.
Into the Flames
The grieving thunder god kicked him into the fire, and he burned with the god.