Vali

Overview

Vali is listed among the Aesir in chapter 30 and described as a brave warrior and good shot. Skaldskaparmal’s divine periphrases connect him with vengeance for Baldr, while chapter 53 names Vali after Ragnarok, tying him both to the reckoning after death and to survival beyond the world-burning.

Key facts

Further spoiler details are available in the interactive atlas.

Relationships

• Odinfather of

  Chapter 30 calls Vali a son of Odin.

• Baldr's Deathavenges Baldr

  Skaldskaparmal’s periphrases connect Vali with vengeance after Baldr’s death.

• Renewal after Ragnarokremains after the fire

  Chapter 53 names Vali in the renewal after Ragnarok.

• Baldr's Deathis foretold to avenge Baldr

  is foretold to avenge Baldr

Story appearances

• RagnarokGod remaining after the fire

  Vali survives sea and Surtr’s fire, dwelling with Vidar on Ida-Plain where Asgard once stood.

• Oaths, Treasures and Giant AftershocksVengeance and continuity

  Vali connects vengeance after Baldr’s death with renewal after the fire.

• Baldrs Draumar: Odin Seeks an Answer in the UnderworldFigure, place, event, or creature in Baldrs Draumar

  A son of Odin who becomes Baldr’s avenger and is named again in the renewal after the fire.

Ancient sources

MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.

• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Chapters 30-31, Vali and Ullr among the gods
• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Skaldskaparmal, Chapters 10-14, Bragi, Vali, Ullr and divine periphrases
• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Chapter 53, earth rises again, gods return, Baldr and Hodr come back, Mjolnir remains, Lif and Lifthrasir survive
• Anonymous; translated by Henry Adams Bellows, The Poetic Edda: Baldrs Draumar, Stanzas 11–14: Rindr will bear Vali to avenge Baldr; the seeress unmasks Odin and foresees Loki’s release and the gods’ doom.