Origins and a confusing Birth
Váli is the son of Odin, the Allfather, and Rindr, a figure whose identity varies across sources—depicted either as a Goddess, a giantess or a human princess. His birth is not a mere consequence of divine union but a strategic act ordained to avenge the death of his half-brother, Baldr. Baldr's demise, orchestrated by the mischievous Loki and executed unwittingly by the blind God Höðr, cast a shadow over the Aesir (read about the Death of Balder here). To restore balance and honor, Odin sought the birth of a son predestined to exact retribution. This narrative underscores the Norse emphasis on vengeance as a means to uphold cosmic order.
Early mistranslation or confusion has led to a single mention of a Váli who is a son of Loki: "Þá váru teknir synir Loka, Váli ok Nari eða Narfi" from the Prose Edda, translated as "Then were taken Loki's sons, Váli and Nari". We find the original of the only reference to Váli as the son of Loki, while even the same text refers to Baldr's death being avenged by his brother (in Völuspá 33) as well as Váli being the Son of Odin in Völuspá 51, which is repeated in Baldr's draumar.
The Prophesied Avenger
The prophecy surrounding Váli's birth and purpose is poignantly captured in the Eddic poem "Baldrs draumar" ("Baldr's Dreams"):
"Rindr will bear Váli in western halls; that son of Óðinn will kill when one night old—he will not wash hand, nor comb head, before he bears to the pyre Baldr's adversary."
This passage highlights the immediacy and inevitability of Váli's mission. Remarkably, Váli matures within a single day of his birth, a testament to his divine nature and the urgency of his task. Without pausing for customary rites or personal care, he fulfills his destiny by slaying Höðr, thereby avenging Baldr's death. This swift maturation and action reflect the Norse ideal of unwavering commitment to one's fate.
Role in Loki's Punishment
Beyond avenging Baldr, Váli plays a crucial role in the retribution against Loki, the trickster God whose machinations led to Baldr's demise. According to certain accounts, Váli transforms into a wolf and savagely kills Loki's son Narfi (some early translations claim that Váli and Narfi are brothers, but it is possible to understand this “brotherhood” as a close friendship). The Gods then use Narfi's entrails to bind Loki to a rock as punishment for his transgressions. This gruesome episode illustrates the severe and often brutal measures the Norse gods employed to maintain order and justice within their realm. Read more about the Punishment of Loki here.
Survival of Ragnarök
Ragnarök, the prophesied apocalypse in Norse mythology, foretells the demise of many Gods and the world's end, followed by its rebirth. Notably, Váli is among the few deities destined to survive this cataclysmic event. In the poem "Vafþrúðnismál," the wise giant Vafþrúðnir reveals that Váli, along with his brother Víðarr and the sons of Thor, Móði and Magni, will endure the flames of Surtr and inhabit the renewed world:
"In the Gods' home Víðarr and Váli shall dwell, when the fires of Surtr have sunk; Móði and Magni shall Mjollnir have when Vingnir falls in fight."
Váli's survival signifies the continuity of divine lineage and the restoration of order in the aftermath of chaos, embodying the Norse belief in cyclical renewal.
Depictions and Interpretations
While explicit descriptions of Váli's appearance and attributes are scarce, he is often associated with qualities befitting an avenger—strength, determination, and martial prowess. Some interpretations suggest that he was a formidable archer and a courageous warrior, reflecting the Norse admiration for combat skills and bravery.
The ambiguity surrounding Váli's maternal lineage — whether Rindr is a Goddess, a giantess or a mortal — adds layers to his character, symbolizing the complex interplay between fate and agency in Norse mythology. His existence, predicated on a singular purpose, raises intriguing questions about individuality and destiny among the Gods.
Legacy and Modern Perception
In contemporary times, Váli remains a relatively obscure figure compared to other Norse deities like Thor or Odin. However, his story has been revisited in modern retellings of Norse myths. For instance, in Neil Gaiman's "Norse Mythology," the tales are reimagined for a modern audience, shedding light on lesser-known figures like Váli. Gaiman's work offers a fresh perspective on these ancient narratives, making them accessible to contemporary readers.
Váli's narrative, though not extensively detailed in surviving texts, encapsulates core themes of Norse mythology: the inexorable nature of fate, the sanctity of vengeance, and the resilience of the divine order. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the values that permeated Norse culture and the very understanding the human condition.
Bibliographical References
Gaiman, Neil. Norse Mythology. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018. ISBN: 978-1408891957.
Sturluson, Snorri. The Prose Edda. Translated by Jesse L. Byock, Penguin Classics, 2005. ISBN: 978-0140447552.
Larrington, Carolyne, translator. The Poetic Edda. Oxford World's Classics, 2014. ISBN: 978-0199675340.
