In Norse mythology, the guardians of the gates of the Underworld are known as the Hela and her domain, Hel. Hela rules over the dead who do not go to Valhalla, the afterlife for warriors. She is depicted as a figure of dual nature, encompassing both challenge and comfort for the souls who enter her realm. The concept of guardianship highlights the significance of death in understanding life and the transition from the mortal world to the afterlife.