Loki is the trickster god in Norse mythology. Known for his shapeshifting abilities, he’s often regarded as one of the most famous gods in all of mythology.
Stories
Sif’s Hair
One of the more famous examples of Loki’s mischief was when he thought it would be funny to steal Sif, Thor’s wife,’s hair. Enraged, Thor demands that Loki replace it, or else. Loki agrees and goes off to see the sons of Ivaldi, asking them to make a set of gifts for the gods, but most importantly, a new set of hair for Sif. Once they have made their gifts, Loki decides to visit two brothers named Brokkr and Sindri, who are well-known craftsmen. Loki taunts them by claiming that the sons of Ivaldi’s crafting were far better than the brothers. The brothers then agreed to challenge Loki to see whose gifts were better. While the brothers were making their gifts, Loki turned into a fly to bite at one of the brothers repeatedly, causing him to get distracted and make one of the gifts a little small. But, it would have to do.
Soon, Loki and the brothers stood before the Asgardians. Loki presented the sons of Ivaldi’s gifts: a new set of hair for Sif, a ship called Skidbaldnir, which could fold in on itself for travel, and a spear named Gungnir for Odin. The brothers, on the other hand, presented a golden glowing pig that could run over water really fast, a ring that turns into eight copies of itself every night, and the one that was a little underbaked, a hammer. Thor quickly accepted the hammer, becoming his iconic weapon, Mjölnir. Thus, the brothers were deemed the winners. Brokkr was about to claim Loki’s head as a prize for winning, but Loki weasels his way out of it through a technicality.
A painting depicting Loki giving Sif her new hair.
The Kidnapping of Idun
While traveling to the land of the giants, Loki found himself captured by a giant named Thiassi. The giant wanted the apples that the goddess Iduna carried, but Loki said it was impossible. The two then come up with a deal: Loki would get Iduna out of the walls of Asgard so Thiassi can get the apples in return for Loki’s freedom. Iduna was then lured out of Asgard and captured by the giant.
The gods, furious at Loki, demanded that he go back to the land of the giants to rescue her. Not wanting to feel their wrath, he agrees. Loki turns into an eagle and gets Iduna out of the giant’s grasp, while Thiassi is burnt to a crisp from a fire the gods set around the walls of Asgard.
The Death of Baldur
Baldur was a son of Odin, beloved by the gods to the point where his mother, Frigg, collected oaths from every entity in the cosmos that they wouldn’t harm him. Loki, in disguise, asked Frigg if truly nothing could harm Baldur. Frigg said yes, except for mistletoe. Loki decided to find some mistletoe and shape it into a spear to bring to a meet-up of the gods.
When Loki got there, he approached a blind god named Hodr and instructed him to throw the mistletoe at Baldur. When it hit him, he dropped dead. This was seen as the first sign of Ragnarok. To get him back, a god named Hermond was sent to retrieve Baulder from Hel’s realm. Hel agreed only if every being in the cosmos wept for him. All did except for Loki, who was disguised as a giantess named Thokk. This doomed Baldur to stay with Hel for eternity.
The death of Baldur, as depicted in “God of War (2018)“.
As punishment for his crimes, Loki was bound to a rock alongside the organs of his son Nari. He also had a venomous snake placed above his head, which would cause him incredible pain when its venom would hit his skin. Loki would stay in this prison until the final stage of Ragnarok.
Powers and Abilities
Shapeshifting: Like other gods, Loki can transform himself into anything he wants. He often uses this ability for mischief.
Fun Facts
Marvel: Loki’s most famous modern depictions, and how many people are first introduced to him, are in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. In it, he is the brother of Thor and one of the main villains in the first wave of films. The movies themselves depict the Nine Realms and other aspects of Norse Mythology to varying levels of accuracy.
True Neutral: Loki is not strictly good or evil in many of his depictions in Norse Mythology. Rather, he is simply known as a trickster who plays by his own rules. However, he is often depicted as a villain in modern adaptations.
Sources
“Loki – Mythopedia.” Mythopedia, 2022, mythopedia.com/topics/loki/.
CrashCourse. “Hermes and Loki and Tricksters Part 2: Crash Course World Mythology #21.” YouTube, 6 Aug. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=udj1FReC2TI.
Team Mythologie. “Adventures of Loki: The Trickster God of Norse Mythology.” MythologieCandles, 2025, mythologiecandles.com/blogs/mythologie-blog/adventures-of-loki-the-trickster-god-of-norse-mythology?srsltid=AfmBOorhPgvAaVf213SueW3KBqY-GZCR6e3p8ewhr0DDJHHY8eZBX05U. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
Liam. “The Kidnapping of Iduna | Tales from Norse Mythology.” Vikingr, 11 Feb. 2022, vikingr.org/tales-of-norse-gods/kidnapping-of-iduna. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
McCoy, Daniel. “The Death of Baldur – Norse Mythology for Smart People.” Norse Mythology for Smart People, 2012, norse-mythology.org/tales/the-death-of-baldur/.