In
Norse mythology,
Hel, the location, shares a name with
Hel, a female figure associated with the location. In late
Icelandic sources, varying descriptions of Hel are given and various figures are described as being buried with items that will facilitate their journey to Hel after their death. In the
Poetic Edda,
Brynhildr's trip to Hel after her death is described and
Odin, while alive, also visits Hel upon his horse
Sleipnir. In
Snorri Sturluson's
Prose Edda,
Baldr goes to Hel on his death and subsequently
Hermóðr uses Sleipnir to attempt to retrieve him. "Hel-shoes" are described in
Gísla saga.