Rind

Who Is Rind

Rind sometimes called Rindr is a giantess or goddess associated with cold earth and frost. In Norse tradition she is most famous as the mother of Vali a son of Odin who is born for a single purpose to avenge the death of Baldr.

The sources describe her as a maiden of the jotnar often linked with frozen ground and winter hardness. Odin seeks her out after Baldr's death because he needs a child who will grow quickly and act without hesitation. From their union comes Vali who reaches full strength in a single day.

Rind therefore stands at a crucial turning point in the myths. Through her the grief of the gods over Baldr is turned into focused vengeance and the path to Ragnarok is pushed further along.

Character and Nature

Rind and the Birth of Vali

After Baldr is slain the gods are left in shock and sorrow. Odin seeks a way to answer this loss. Prophecy tells him that a son named Vali will be born to avenge Baldr by killing Hodr the weapon hand in the tragedy.

Odin turns to Rind, a maiden among the jotnar. From their union Vali is born. In the myth Vali grows to full strength in a single night. By the next day he is already fully armed and ready for battle. He kills Hodr and thus fulfils the prophecy of vengeance.

The story gives Rind a brief but powerful role. She is the point where Odin's grief becomes action and where the cold earth of loss brings forth a new and relentless force.