Dictionary Of God And Godedesses

Horagalles 127HODERORIGIN Nordic (Icelandic). The blind god.KNOWN PERIOD OF WORSHIP Viking period (circaAD 700) and earlier through to Christianization(circa AD 1100).SYNONYMS Hod, Hodur.CENTER(S) OF CULT none known.ART REFERENCES none known, but probably thesubject of anonymous carvings.LITERARY SOURCES Icelandic codices; ProseEdda (Snorri); Historia Danica (Saxo); runicinscriptions.Hoder is one of the less well-defined of the NorseAESIR gods whose chief claim to notoriety lies inthat he is responsible, in two separate narratives(Snorri’s and Saxo’s), for the death of the godBALDER. In Snorri’s Icelandic version Hoder is persuadedby LOKI to hurl a piece of mistletoe at Balder(the only thing from which he is not protected): itturns into a lethal spear. According to Snorri, Hodermay even represent an agent of HEL. Saxo’s Danishaccount has Hoder and Balder contesting the handof the goddess NANNA. She eventually weds Hoder,who then slays Balder with a magic sword. Hoderhimself is slain by his arch-enemy, the god VALI.HoenirGod. Nordic (Icelandic) Identified in the Voluspa(Poetic Edda) as the priest of the Viking gods whohandles the “blood wands” i.e. divines futureevents. Some authors believe Hoenir to be ahypostasis of the god OTHIN, particularly concernedwith giving the human race senses andfeelings. Also known in north Germanic culture.He is said to have fled to Vanaheim after the greatbattle between the AESIR and VANIR gods.Hokushin-O-KamiAstral deity. Shinto [Japan]. The apotheosis ofthe “little bear,” Ursa Minor.Ho-Musubi-No-KamiFire god. Shinto [Japan]. One of a number of fireKAMIS who are honored in special Hi-Matsuri festivals.The sacred fire can only be generated by aboard and stick and is regarded as a powerfulpurifier in Shintoism. The most celebrated templeof the fire kamis is on Mount Atago nearKyoto; worshipers are drawn to it from all overJapan to obtain charms as protection against fire.Ho-No-Kagu-Tsuchi-No-KamiFire god. Shinto [Japan]. One of a number of fireKAMIS who are honored in special Hi-Matsuri festivals.The sacred fire can only be generated by aboard and stick and is regarded as a powerful purifierin Shintoism. The most celebrated temple ofthe fire kamis is on Mount Atago near Kyoto towhich worshipers are drawn from all over Japan toobtain charms as protection against fire.HonusGod of military honors. Roman. Depicted as ayouthful warrior carrying a lance and cornucopia.Ho-PoRiver god. Taoist (Chinese). The so-called“Count of the River,” the deity who controls allrivers but particularly the Yellow River, and whois the subject of an official cult and sacrifice.According to tradition he achieved immortalityby weighing himself down with stones anddrowning himself. He received an annual sacrificeof a young girl until the end of the Shou Dynastycirca 250 BC. Also Hebo; Ping-Yi.HoragallesWeather god. Lappish. The local embodiment ofthe Nordic (Icelandic) god THOR. Depicted as abearded figure carrying a pair of hammers.