In Norse mythology, the goddess Hel holds significant power as the ruler of the underworld, where she presides over the souls of the deceased who did not die heroically. Hel is often depicted as a figure that embodies both life and death, representing balance between the two realms. Her presence emphasizes the Norse understanding of fate and the inevitability of death, while also reminding the living of the legacy left behind, influencing how life is lived in accordance with honor.