The Valkyries: Norse Choosers of the Slain and Their Role in Mythology
Valkyries are powerful female figures in Norse mythology known as "choosers of the slain." They serve Odin, the chief god, by selecting which warriors will die in battle and guiding their souls to Valhalla. There, the chosen become part of Odin's legendary army, destined for the final battle at the end of the world.
These mythical beings are often depicted as both fierce and noble, riding through battlefields and deciding the fate of warriors. Their role highlights the importance of valor and honor in Norse culture, as only the bravest are chosen to join the gods. Understanding the Valkyries provides insight into how ancient Norse people viewed death, destiny, and heroism.
Origins and Role of the Valkyries
Valkyries emerged from early Norse beliefs as key figures connected closely to Odin. They were named as choosers of the slain and played an essential part in both myth and stories of the afterlife.
Etymology and Early Sources
The term valkyrie is derived from the Old Norse valkyrja, meaning “chooser of the slain.” This reflects their central function in battle legends. The word combines valr (the slain) and kjósa (to choose).
References to valkyries appear in early Norse poetry and prose. One of the most influential sources is Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, which gathers older Norse tales. Valkyries were also mentioned in skaldic poetry and rune stones, attesting to their deep roots in Scandinavian lore.
Over time, their portrayal evolved from shadowy, almost ominous beings to noble escorts of fallen warriors. Despite later romantic depictions, their origins were tied to battlefield death and the will of the gods.
Divine Duties and Divine Hierarchy
Valkyries served as both battle spirits and attendants in Odin’s divine court. Their primary duty was to choose which warriors would die in battle and be taken to Valhalla, Odin's hall. There, the slain would prepare for Ragnarok, the end of the world in Norse myth.
While often described as Odin’s handmaidens, valkyries did not act independently. Odin directed their actions, emphasizing their place in the divine hierarchy. However, some stories, particularly those from later sagas, granted individual valkyries distinctive personalities and greater agency.
They were also believed to serve drinks to fallen warriors in Valhalla. Early sources suggest a link between valkyries and fate, occasionally blurring their roles with the Norns, who determined destiny.
Selection of Fallen Warriors
Valkyries appeared on battlefields to select which warriors deserved to join the afterlife in Valhalla. This selection process was both a privilege and a grim task, as only the bravest or most skilled were chosen. The remainder were left on the battlefield, marking a distinction that reinforced Norse values of courage and honor.
Odin’s authority guided their choices, ensuring that those taken to Valhalla would be worthy to fight at his side during Ragnarok. Lists and names of individual valkyries are preserved in poems and sagas, highlighting their unique roles in selecting the slain.
The phrase “choosers of the slain” underscores the importance of their judgment. Selection by a valkyrie was both a mark of glory for the warrior and a mechanism for preparing Odin’s forces for the final cosmic battle.
Valkyries in Norse Cosmology
Valkyries hold a complex role within Norse mythology, closely linked to the gods, fate, and the afterlife. Their functions go beyond mere selection of warriors; they also reflect cosmic order and the relationships between deities and mortals.
Connections to Odin and the Aesir
Valkyries serve Odin, the All-Father and chief of the Aesir. He is not only their commander but also the one who ultimately decides the fate of warriors on the battlefield.
Odin sends Valkyries to battle to select brave souls and influence the tide of conflict according to his will. This reinforces his position as a god of war and death.
The Aesir, the main pantheon of gods in Norse myth, rely on the Valkyries to maintain a steady influx of worthy fighters into Valhalla. This connection is central to Norse views on heroism, loyalty, and preparation for Ragnarök, the prophesied end of the gods.
Fate and the Norns
Fate is a powerful concept in Norse mythology. While the Norns—three mysterious beings—are the primary weavers of fate, Valkyries act out the workings of destiny on the battlefield.
Valkyries do not control fate themselves but follow the paths set by the Norns. They help carry out destiny by deciding who lives and who dies in battle.
This relationship is both practical and symbolic. It highlights how even divine agents have roles within cosmic order, and how mortal lives are subject to forces beyond their control.
Association with Valhalla and Folkvang
After the battle, Valkyries escort fallen warriors to their afterlife destinations. Valhalla, Odin’s hall, is the most prominent, reserved for those chosen by both Odin and his Valkyries.
These warriors are honored for their bravery and are promised a place preparing for the final battle at Ragnarök.
Some Valkyries also bring chosen souls to Folkvang, the realm of the goddess Freyja. Freyja receives half of the slain to her own hall.
The division between Valhalla and Folkvang demonstrates the importance of both Odin and Freyja within the afterlife, and how Valkyries work for the interests of both deities.
Depictions and Attributes
Valkyries are frequently portrayed as powerful women warriors with distinctive features, special weapons, and otherworldly means of travel. Their appearance and attributes reflect both their divine duties and the symbolic roles they play in Norse mythology.
Appearance and Symbolic Elements
Valkyries are typically described as strikingly beautiful women clad in armor, representing both their martial nature and their supernatural origins. Their features are sometimes depicted as stern or fierce, reinforcing their roles as battlefield choosers.
Artists and poets often show Valkyries with braided hair, helmets, and gleaming shields. They are sometimes surrounded by a mystical aura or radiant light to highlight their connection to the divine. Traditional attire includes flowing garments beneath their armor, sometimes incorporating motifs of birds or feathers.
Valkyries are symbols of fate, courage, and the transition between life and death. Their appearance reflects the seriousness of their task—deciding which warriors live and which are taken to Valhalla.
Weapons, Shields, and Armor
Valkyries are most often seen with weapons such as spears and swords, tools both practical and symbolic. Their shields are commonly described as bright and reflective, sometimes capable of blinding or dazzling enemies. These shields not only serve in battle but also symbolize protection and the carrying out of Odin's will.
Their armor is typically made of mail or plate, offering both defense and a visual cue of their martial status. Some sources mention intricate designs on their arms and armor, often related to Norse runes or mythical animals.
In battle scenes from sagas and artwork, Valkyries appear alongside the Einherjar (the chosen slain), using their weapons to lead or defend. These traits mark them as true women warriors within the mythological tradition.
Winged Horses and Swan Maidens
A notable attribute of many Valkyries is their association with winged horses. In some poems and stories, Valkyries ride horses that can move between worlds, soar above battlefields, and create strange weather as they pass. These mounts connect them to the sky and the gods.
The image of Valkyries as swan maidens is another important motif. The swan cloak or feathered dress allows a Valkyrie to fly, appear and disappear at will, or change form. Losing this garment in legends often causes a Valkyrie to become mortal or remain in the human world.
This duality—riders of the sky and mystical bird-women—highlights their otherworldly origin and their freedom to move between realms, emphasizing their key roles as guides of the fallen.
Notable Valkyries in Legend
Valkyries appear by name and role throughout Norse myth, each with unique attributes and stories. While some gained fame through legendary sagas and later operas, others appear mainly in poetic listings or as embodiments of battle and fate.
Brynhildr and Brunnhilde
Brynhildr is among the most famous Valkyries mentioned in Norse mythology. She is featured prominently in the Völsunga saga and the Poetic Edda, where she defies Odin by sparing a doomed hero and is punished with mortal sleep.
Her story is heavily intertwined with that of Sigurd, whom she advises and later loves. Brynhildr's tragic fate and relationships make her a central figure in legendary Norse tales about love, honor, and vengeance.
Brunnhilde is the Germanic adaptation of Brynhildr, most famously depicted in Richard Wagner’s opera cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen. In Wagner’s works, Brunnhilde shares many of Brynhildr’s qualities but is adapted for dramatic performance.
Both figures contributed to the image of Valkyries as independent, influential, and complex women in myth.
Sigrún and Hildr
Sigrún is named in the Poetic Edda and known for her love story with the hero Helgi Hundingsbane. She defies her father to be with Helgi and later avenges his death, demonstrating agency and loyalty.
Hildr, whose name means “battle,” is another notable Valkyrie. In the saga literature, Hildr is said to have the ability to revive slain warriors, leading to never-ending battles. She is particularly associated with the story of “Hjaðningavíg” or the “Battle of the Hjadnings.”
Both Sigrún and Hildr embody the Valkyries’ roles as choosers of the slain and as powerful figures who can influence battles and their outcomes. Their actions are tied closely to themes of conflict, fate, and loyalty.
Skuld, Gunnr, and Hrist
Skuld is unique for her role both as a Valkyrie and as one of the Norns, the beings who decide fate. Her association with fate and choice of the slain gives her dual importance in myth.
Gunnr, whose name means “war,” is regularly listed among the Valkyries. She appears in several poetic sources as one who presides over battle and death, often as a harbinger of victory or defeat.
Hrist is mentioned in the Prose Edda as one of Odin’s shieldmaidens. Although less is known about her individual exploits, her name is sometimes translated as “the Shaker,” suggesting a role in stirring conflict on the battlefield.
This group demonstrates the diversity of roles among Valkyries, from weaving fate to directly engaging in battle.
Þrúðr, Mist, and Other Valkyries
Þrúðr, whose name means “strength,” is both the name of a Valkyrie and the daughter of Thor. Her appearance in the Grímnismál and Skáldskaparmál links her to themes of might and battle prowess.
Mist is listed among the Valkyries in several sources. Her name suggests associations with fog or concealment, possibly reflecting her ability to appear or disappear in the chaos of battle.
Other named Valkyries include Göndul, Geirahöð, and Eir. Each is attributed with specific meanings, like “wand-wielder,” “spear-fight,” or “mercy,” reflecting the complexity and range of their roles.
Together, these Valkyries highlight the varied nature of those chosen to serve Odin, from powerful warriors to mystical weavers of fate.
Valkyries in Mythological Battles
Valkyries played a direct role in Norse battles as agents of Odin, impacting both the fate of warriors and the direction of combat. Their influence stretched from mortal conflicts to the cosmic struggle of Ragnarok.
Role in Deciding the Outcome of Combat
Valkyries held authority to choose who lived and who died on the battlefield. Acting on Odin’s commands and their own discernment, they moved among warriors, marking those destined to fall. These chosen individuals did not perish by chance, but because the Valkyries decreed it.
Key responsibilities of Valkyries during combat included:
Selecting the bravest and most capable fighters.
Ensuring these warriors were sent to Valhalla to prepare for future conflicts.
By guiding arrows, turning blades, or intervening supernaturally, Valkyries influenced the momentum of battles. Their choices could turn the tide, granting victory to one side while ensuring worthy deaths for chosen fighters. Their presence underscored the Norse belief that fate, not just skill or strength, determined survival in combat.
The Valkyries and Ragnarok
During Ragnarok, the end-of-the-world event in Norse mythology, the Valkyries’ role became crucial. The warriors they had selected in previous battles were assembled in Valhalla, forming Odin’s army for this final confrontation.
Valkyries were not just passive attendants but marshaled the einherjar (the chosen slain) and led them onto the battlefield against the forces of chaos. Their primary function at Ragnarok was to ensure Odin’s hosts were fully prepared and disciplined for the ultimate struggle.
Table: Valkyrie Involvement at Ragnarok
Task Details Assembling forces Summoning the dead from Valhalla Leadership Guiding warriors in battle lines Support roles Maintaining order and morale
This leadership confirmed their ongoing importance, from day-to-day battles to the largest mythological conflict.
Relationship with Fallen Warriors
Valkyries shared a unique bond with the warriors they selected. Those chosen were called einherjar and were honored above others. Upon death, the Valkyries escorted them from the battlefield to Valhalla.
In Valhalla, the relationship continued. Valkyries acted as hosts, serving mead and overseeing training. The fallen warriors, in turn, trained and prepared for Ragnarok under their supervision.
This connection was more than ceremonial. Valkyries symbolized both the reward for bravery and the link between mortal valor and the divine purpose of the gods. Their presence promised that the sacrifices made in battle had lasting meaning beyond death.
Associated Deities and Mythological Figures
Valkyries are closely linked with major Norse deities and mythical women. Their roles, relationships, and influences often overlap with gods and legendary female figures associated with war, fate, and the afterlife.
Freyja and Valfreyja
Freyja is a principal Norse goddess associated with love, beauty, and battle. She is also a leader of the Valkyries in some sources. Unlike Odin, who claims half of the chosen slain for Valhalla, Freyja receives the other half in her hall, Fólkvangr. This dual selection reinforces her importance in the warrior afterlife.
The name Valfreyja is another title or aspect of Freyja, meaning "Lady of the Slain." This reinforces her direct association with the Valkyries as choosers of warriors. Freyja’s ties to sorcery, seiðr, and death underline her complex nature as both a nurturing and formidable goddess.
Her role embodies a distinct female authority within the Norse pantheon. She is sometimes regarded as the most influential Norse goddess in connection with war and fate.
Wotan and Wyrd
Wotan is the Germanic version of Odin, chief god and leader of the Æsir. Odin is the Valkyries’ primary master in Norse mythology. He sends them to battlefields to select brave warriors for Valhalla. This connection positions Odin as a central figure in the journey of the slain.
The Valkyries serve Wotan/Odin by carrying out his will, reinforcing their status as divine agents. Meanwhile, Wyrd refers to fate or destiny in Germanic myth. While not a deity, Wyrd is personified in some stories and often associated with female figures who control destiny, including the Norns.
Wyrd’s influence appears in the Valkyries’ tasks, as they do not only choose the slain but sometimes weave or decide the outcomes of battles. This places them close to the concept of fate, highlighting their significance beyond simple messengers.
Other Warrior Women and Goddesses
Norse mythology includes several other female beings related to battle and destiny. Bellona is a Roman goddess of war sometimes mentioned in comparative mythology discussions but does not appear in Norse sources.
The Idis are respected female spirits, sometimes thought to be ancestral protectors or minor goddesses. In Old English and some Germanic traditions, Idisi act as guardians and may share overlapping traits with Valkyries, such as guiding the dead or influencing battle.
There are also legendary mortal women, like shield-maidens, who are sometimes linked to the Valkyrie archetype. These figures—mortal or divine—underscore the recurring theme of powerful women with the authority over life, death, and destiny in Germanic and Norse myth.
Cultural Interpretations and Legacy
Valkyries have influenced literature, music, and visual art from the medieval era through the modern day. Their symbolism and dramatic roles have been adapted into works ranging from Old Norse epics to grand opera and popular culture.
Representations in Literature and Poetry
Valkyries are frequently referenced in Old Norse sagas and skaldic poetry. They often serve as supernatural guides who decide the fate of warriors in epic battles.
Writers use Valkyries to embody both deadly power and beauty. Medieval texts like the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda feature named Valkyries such as Sigrún and Brynhildr, who sometimes fall in love with mortal heroes.
Victorian and modern poets revisited the Valkyrie motif, highlighting themes of destiny and sacrifice. Authors and poets in the 19th and 20th centuries further reimagined Valkyries as symbols of female agency or tragic love.
Valkyries in Wagner's Ring Cycle and Opera
Richard Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung), composed in the 19th century, brought Valkyries into the world of opera. In his cycle of four operas, Valkyries act as warrior maidens who serve Odin (Wotan).
Brünnhilde, one of the chief Valkyrie characters, stands out for her pivotal role and complex personality. She defies Wotan’s command and shapes the fate of gods and heroes.
Perhaps the most famous scene is the Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walküre, marked by its thundering orchestral motif. This piece, often performed independently, represents the energetic and formidable image of Valkyries in popular imagination.
Artistic and Popular Representations
Visual depictions of Valkyries can be found in Norse carvings, medieval manuscripts, and later Romantic-era paintings. Artists often show Valkyries descending on horseback, armed with helmets and spears, or welcoming fallen warriors.
In modern times, Valkyries appear in film, comics, music, and video games. They are often reinterpreted as iconic warrior women, emphasizing independence and martial prowess.
Ride of the Valkyries has become a cultural touchstone, often used in cinema and advertising to convey drama or epic urgency. The lasting legacy of Valkyries is seen in their continued appearance in visual and popular media, often blending elements of both ancient myth and modern storytelling.
Modern Perspectives and Influence
Valkyries have taken on new roles far beyond their original mythic context. Today, they are deeply interwoven with pop culture, social commentary, and scholarly research.
Valkyries in Contemporary Media
Valkyries frequently appear in modern entertainment, including films, television series, and graphic novels. They are prominent in franchises such as Marvel’s Thor and the Vikings television show, where they often serve as powerful warriors or supernatural figures.
These portrayals usually emphasize their combat skills, leadership, and mystical presence. Elements like their association with ravens and horses are sometimes highlighted to connect back to Norse iconography.
Valkyries have also inspired characters in video games and literature, where their roles vary from heroic icons to complex moral agents. They are often used as symbols of strength and independence.
Symbolism and Feminist Interpretations
Today, Valkyries often symbolize female empowerment and resilience. Many interpret them as early examples of strong women in mythology who operate independently and possess authority over life and death.
Some feminist scholars and writers view Valkyries as alternatives to the witch archetype, with both embodying powerful and sometimes misunderstood women in historical Europe. Discussions sometimes highlight the contrast between Valkyries as warriors and witches as figures associated with magic.
Their presence in modern discourse extends to love and loyalty as well, as Valkyries were sometimes depicted as having relationships with mortal heroes. These stories are occasionally reinterpreted to reflect themes of choice and agency.
Archaeological and Linguistic Evidence
Archaeological finds, particularly on Gotland and across Scandinavia, have revealed images and artifacts thought to represent Valkyries. Brooches and picture stones often depict female figures with shields, spears, and sometimes horses, supporting their martial associations.
Linguistically, the word “Valkyrie” is derived from Old Norse valkyrja (“chooser of the slain”). Related kennings found in Old Norse poetry often use metaphors involving ravens, battle, and fate to reference Valkyries.
These findings provide insight into how ancient Scandinavians viewed Valkyries, showing that their influence extended into art, language, and burial practices. New research continues to shape our understanding of their historical roles and significance.
