Protective goddess sent by Frigg to watch over mortals.
Hlin (Old Norse Hlín) is an Asynja described by Snorri in Gylfaginning 35. She is sent by Frigg to protect those mortals whom Frigg wishes to keep from danger. Her name derives from the verb hleinast ('to seek protection'), and Snorri states that 'one who is protected hleinir'.
In Völuspá 53 Hlín is mentioned in connection with Ragnarok, in a stanza that speaks of 'a new grief awaiting Hlín' when Odin falls to Fenrir. Whether Hlín in that stanza refers to this Asynja or is a byname for Frigg is debated among philologists.
Sources in the Eddas
- Gylfaginning 35
- Snorri describes Hlin as Frigg's protective goddess, sent to watch over mortals.
- Völuspá 53
- Hlín is named in the Ragnarok sequence; 'a new grief awaits Hlín' when Odin falls.
Interpretive traditions
A What we know
Hlin is sent by Frigg to protect mortals (Gylfaginning 35).
Her name appears in Völuspá 53 in the Ragnarok context.
B What we think we know
Whether Hlín in Völuspá 53 refers to an independent goddess or is a byname for Frigg is debated.
C What we do not know
Hlin's independent cult and mythology are undocumented.