Hœnir

This article contains lore based on real-life sources from Norse Mythology as introduced from the God of War Norse Era.

Hœnir is Norse God of Silence, Indecision, Mystery and Avoidance.

Norse Mythology[]

In Norse mythology, Hœnir is one of the Æsir. He is mentioned as the one who helped Odin to create humans.

In Ynglinga saga, along with Mímir, he went to the Vanir as a hostage to seal a truce after the Æsir-Vanir War. There, Hœnir was indecisive and relied on Mímir for all of his decisions, grunting noncommital answers when Mímir was absent.

In Völuspá, at the creation of the first human beings, Ask and Embla, Hœnir and Lóðurr help Odin. According to the Prose Edda, Hœnir is said to have given reason to man. 'In Gylfaginning, Vili and Vé are mentioned instead. As Snorri Sturluson knew Völuspá, it is possible that Hœnir was another name for Vili. Also according to Völuspá, Hœnir was one of the few gods that would survive Ragnarök.

Hœnir also has a minor role in Haustlöng and Reginsmál. Hœnir crater on Callisto is named after him.

Hœnir is a warrior god in Norse mythology. He is sometimes confused with Vili. Hœnir is part of the Aesir. Hœnir and Mimir were hostages in a war between the Aesir and Vanir gods. He was also an original Aesir god himself. Hœnir usually relied on Mimir. Hœnir is the god of silence, indecision, mystery and of avoidance. Hœnir is the travel companion of Odin and Loki and was also part of the creation of Ask and Embla.

Hœnir goes with Mímir to the Vanir as hostage, in order to seal a truce to the Æsir-Vanir war. During the negotiations, Hœnir heavily relies on Mímir to address any query, as the latter was better informed and knowledgeable. The Vanir perceived this indecision and thus noticing a character flaw within Hœnir, which resulted in beheading Mímir as retaliation, thinking the Æsir cheated them in their hostage exchange. Hœnir is one of the few gods to survive Ragnarök.

In the God of War Series []

God of War (2018)[]

The Lost Pages of Norse Myth[]

Though Hœnir does not appear but he is mentioned by Mimir in the The Lost Pages of Norse Myth. Hœnir was present along with several gods including Iðunn, Höðr and Heimdallr witness The First Great War. When Freyr was set on fire he saw Hœnir, Bragi and Sif drunk.

God of War: Ragnarök[]

Although Hœnir does not physically appear in the game, a family crest for him can be found in Vanaheim. According to Mimir, Hœnir was a kind, sweet, but simple-minded young man, sent to the Vanir as part of a cultural exchange between Vanaheim and Asgard. But while the Vanir sought to honor the agreement by sending a young bladesmith named Sturla to Asgard, it soon became apparent that Odin sent Hœnir to Vanaheim simply as a means of getting rid of him, as he needed constant care to keep him from hurting himself. Despite this, the various Vanir families welcomed him and came together to care for him, eventually gifting him a Vanir family crest.

However, Hœnir eventually learned the truth about his stay in Vanaheim, having accidentally overheard one of his caretakers discussing the All-Fathers clear disgust for him and, distraught at this revelation, was found the next morning having taken his own life.

Trivia[]

It is heavily implied that Hœnir is special needs (Disabled).
In God of War it is revealed that Hœnir committed suicide after finding out Odin tried to get rid of him.
According to some sources, myths and poems Hœnir was the son of Bestla and Borr thus making him a brother to Odin, Vili and Vé.
- This is never confirmed in the game, it can be assumed they aren't brothers in God of War.