Heimdall
Earth Culture of Origin
Old Norse
Alternate Names / Spellings
Heimdallr
Presides Over
Heimdall is the god of light.
Personal Symbols
Earth Mythological References
Born at the end of the world, Heimdall is said to be the son of nine mothers (the daughters of Geirrendour the Giant or of Aegir). Legend says he was raised by the force of the earth, seawater and the blood of a boar. Because of his shining, golden teeth he is also called Gullintani ("gold tooth"). His hall is Himinbjorg, The Cliffs of Heaven, and his horse is Gulltop. Heimdall carries the horn Gjallar.
He is the watchman of the gods and guards Bifrost, the only entrance to Asgard, the realm of the gods. It is Heimdall's duty to prevent the giants from forcing their way into Asgard. He requires less sleep than a bird and can see a hundred miles around him, by night as well as by day. His hearing is so accurate that no sound escapes him: he can even hear the grass grow or the wool on a sheep's back. At the final conflict of Ragnarok he will kill his age-old enemy, the evil god Loki, but will die himself from his wounds.
As the god Rig ("ruler"), Heimdall created the three races of mankind: the serfs, the peasants, and the warriors. It is interesting to note why Heimdall fathered them, and not Odin as might be expected. Furthermore, Heimdall is in many attributes identical with Tyr.
Stargate References
In "Revelations", the Asgard Freyr seeks the help of SG-1 to rescue a stranded Asgard scientist (Heimdall) and retrieve his research crucial to the survival of the Asgard. Thor is reported to have been killed while defending a protected planet from Osiris, and with the battle with the Replicators raging, the Asgard cannot spare anyone to see to this rescue. SG-1, equipped with a Goa'uld cargo vessel, agree to mount the rescue mission to this remote Asgard facility.
CARTER
Where are we exactly?
HEIMDALL
Several hundred meters beneath the surface of the planet.
CARTER
Of course we'd have to be. The surface is uninhabitable.
TEAL’C
The Goa'uld are unaware of your presence here.
HEIMDALL
I have been monitoring their communications. They know the laboratory is somewhere on this planet but as yet, they have been unable to pinpoint its location.
O’NEILL
Well, why don't we get out of here before they find out?
HEIMDALL
I am afraid we cannot leave.
CARTER
Why not?
HEIMDALL
First we must rescue Thor.
Heimdall enlists the help of SG-1 to also rescue Thor who had actually been captured by Osiris and is being tortured for information pertaining to Asgard technology by Anubis. (5.22 Revelations)
Episodes
Related Characters
Related Articles
Further Reading
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/heimdall.html
Actor
- Voiced by Teryl Rothery
--Article started by: DeeKayP 19:56, 16 Aug 2004 (PDT)
--Article completed by: Mellenbal 22:41, 26 Sep 2004