Valkyrie
In
Norse mythology the valkyries (
Old Norse Valkyrja "Choosers of the Slain") are
dísir, minor female deities, who served
Odin. The valkyries' purpose was to choose the most heroic of those who had died in battle and to carry them off to
Valhalla where they became
einherjar. This was necessary because Odin needed warriors to fight at his side at the preordained battle at the end of the world,
Ragnarök. In Valhalla the valkyries also “serve drink and look after the tableware and drinking vessels” (
Prose Edda Gylfaginning 36).
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Valkyries
[Norse] The Valkyries ("Choosers of the Slain") are beautiful young women, mounted upon winged horses and armed with helmets and spears. Odin needs many brave warriors for the oncoming battle of Ragnarok, and the Valkyries scout the battlefields to choose the bravest of those who have been slain. They escort these heroes, called the Einherjar to Valhalla, Odin's hall. The Valkyries are also Odin's messengers and when they ride forth on their errands, their armor causes the strange flickering light that is called "Aurora Borealis" (Northern Lights). Some of the Valyries are Brynhildr, Göll, Göndul, Gudr, Gunn, Herfjoturr, Hildr, Hladgunnr, Hlokk, Hrist, Sigrdrifa, Sigrún, and Svafa.
Valkyries
Valkyries [from Icelandic, Swedish Valkyrja from val choice, death + kyrja to crown, possibly akin to kyrra calm] Among some of the most intriguing mysteries of Norse mythology are these "crowners of the slain" who select the heroes "slain" in battle when they aid the gods in their eternal struggle against the forces of darkness. There is a vast and complex symbology attached to the tales of Odin's warrior-maidens who daily revive those slain on Vigridsslatten (the field of consecration), and bear them to Valhalla to feast with the gods on the mead of their life experience.
The valkyries represent the higher self of the human "warrior," his inner spiritual mentor and teacher, as we learn in the tale of Sigurd Fafnesbane who seeks his sleeping valkyrie and is taught by her.
VALKYRIES
VALCHIRIE