Norse Mythology

Norse mythology comprises the pre-Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian people, including those who settled on Iceland, where the written sources for Norse mythology were assembled. Norse mythology is a collection of beliefs and stories shared by Northern Germanic tribes.

In ancient Scandinavian beliefs, valkyries are divine female beings who serve Odin, god of wisdom and war (and also attested as being a god of magic, poetry, victory, and the hunt). The word "valkyrie" comes from the Old Norse words "val" (slaughter) and "kyrja" (to choose). Literally, the term means "choosers of the slain." The valkyries are described as bands of warrior-women. The valkyries' purpose was to choose the most heroic of those who had died in battle and carry them off to Valhalla, Odin’s hall in Norse mythology, or the home for those slain gloriously in battle. This was necessary because Odin needed warriors to fight at his side at the preordained battle at the end of the world, Ragnarök, between the gods (led by Odin) and their aggressors: giants and various monsters. The giants were a mythological race with superhuman strength, described as standing in opposition to the gods.

The illustration on the right is from a 17th century Icelandic manuscript, picturing Heimdallr, guardian of the gods, guarding the gate of Valhalla. Heimdallr was to blow his horn if danger approached Asgard, the realm of the gods. His senses were said to be so acute that he could hear the grass grow and see to the end of the world. He also required no sleep. Heimdallr was destined to be the last of the gods to perish at Ragnarök, where he and Loki (the god of mischief) would slay each other.

Valhalla has five hundred and forty doors, walls made of spears, a roof made of shields, and benches covered with breastplates. It is said that there is room enough for all those chosen. Here, every day, the slain warriors who will assist Odin in Ragnarök were said to arm themselves for battle and ride forth by the thousands to engage in mock combat on the plains of Asgard. At night, the warriors return to Valhalla to feast on roasted boar and drink intoxicating mead, a fermented alcoholic beverage made of honey, water, and yeast.

In modern art, the valkyrie appears to be akin to the raven, flying over the battlefield and "choosing" corpses, sometimes depicted as beautiful shieldmaidens, armed with helmets and spears. The mounts of the valkyries were the packs of wolves that frequented the corpses of dead warriors. Thus, the packs of wolves and ravens that scavenged the aftermath of battles may have been seen as serving a higher purpose. [back]