Breiðablik (sometimes anglicised as Breithablik or Breidablik) is the home of Baldr in Nordic mythology.

Meaning

The word Breiðablik has been variously translated as 'broad sheen', 'Broad gleam', 'Broad-gleaming' or 'the far-shining one', ^[1][2][3][4]

Attestations

Interpretation and discussion

The name of Breiðablik has been noted to link with Baldr's attributes of light and beauty.^[1]

Similarities have been drawn between the description of Breiðablik in Grímnismál and Heorot in Beowulf, which are both free of 'baleful runes' (Old Norse: feicnstafi and Old English: fācenstafas respectively). In Beowulf, the lack of fācenstafas refers to the absence of crimes being committed, and therefore both halls have been proposed to be sanctuaries.^[12]

In popular culture

• Breidablik is a sacred weapon in Fire Emblem Heroes that the Summoner uses to summon Heroes coming from different Fire Emblem games.^{[citation needed]}
• In the PlayStation game Xenogears, Bledavik is the name of the capital city of the desert kingdom of Aveh on the Ignas continent.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Álfheimr, the home of Freyr
• Nóatún, the home of Njörðr
• Þrúðvangr, the home of Thor

Citations

Bibliography