In Norse mythology, Hermod was the messenger of the gods and a son of Odin and Frigg. Among other tasks, he traveled to Helheim to beg Hel to allow Baldur to be resurrected. She agreed only on the basis that everything—rocks, trees, people, animals, gods, etc.—wept for his death. The giantess Throkk, who was actually Loki in disguise, did so, but since she refused to mourn him, Baldur was stuck in Hel until Ragnarok.

Hermod owned a magical staff called Gambantein.