Abstract
The reader may remember that the preceding account of the popular fire-festivals of Europe was suggested by the myth of the Norse god Balder, who is said to have been slain by a branch of mistletoe and burnt in a great fire. We have now to enquire how far the customs which have been passed in review help to shed light on the myth. In this enquiry it may be convenient to begin with the mistletoe, the instrument of Balder’s death.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 1983 Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Frazer, J.G. (1983). Balder and the Mistletoe. In: The Golden Bough. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-00635-9_65
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-00635-9_65
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-09629-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-00635-9
eBook Packages: Palgrave Religion & Philosophy CollectionPhilosophy and Religion (R0)