Valkyrie

Origin and earliest accounts

The Valkyries (Old Norse valkyrjur, ‘choosers of the slain’) are attested in medieval Germanic sources, chiefly Old Norse-Icelandic literature. The earliest references appear in skaldic poetry and Eddic verse, such as the Poetic Edda’s Helgakviða and Völuspá, where they are called ‘wish-maidens’ and ‘shield-maidens.’ In Völuspá, they are listed among the valkyries who serve Odin, and in Helgakviða Hjörvarðssonar, a valkyrie named Sigrún is described as a shield-maiden. The Prose Edda, composed by Snorri Sturluson in the 13th century, systematizes them as maidens who serve Odin, selecting the bravest fallen warriors for Valhalla. Snorri lists several valkyries by name and describes their role in Valhalla. They also appear in sagas, including the Völsunga saga, where Brynhildr is a central figure, and in Njáls saga, where they are mentioned in a poem. While earlier Roman and Germanic accounts mention female battle spirits, such as the Roman historian Tacitus’s account of Germanic women encouraging warriors, the fully developed Valkyrie figure is a product of medieval Norse literary tradition. Their origins may lie in older Indo-European concepts of female divinities associated with war and fate, but the surviving written records are medieval. The term valkyrja itself is a compound of valr (slain) and kjósa (to choose), emphasizing their function as choosers of the slain.

Appearance and description

In medieval sources, Valkyries are generally described as beautiful, radiant women, often clad in armor and bearing weapons. They may wear helmets and carry shields and spears, and they ride either horses or wolves through the air and over water. Some accounts attribute to them swan cloaks or feather garments, allowing them to fly; in the Völundarkviða, three Valkyries are swan-maidens who shed their feathers to become human. Their appearance combines martial and supernatural elements: they are both warriors and supernatural beings. Snorri Sturluson describes them as maidens with shining spears and blood-stained armor. In some tales, they are indistinguishable from mortal women until they reveal their supernatural nature. Their horses are sometimes named in sources, such as Gunnr’s horse, and they are said to ride to battle. In Helgakviða Hundingsbana I, the valkyries are described as riding through the air, their horses’ manes wet with dew. Overall, their description emphasizes a paradoxical blend of lethal martial prowess and ethereal beauty. They are often depicted as tall and fair, with a commanding presence that befits their role as agents of Odin. Their armor may gleam, and their weapons are ready for battle, yet they also possess a grace that sets them apart from mortal warriors.

Powers and abilities

Valkyries possess the power to choose which warriors die in battle and which survive, a role that aligns them with fate and destiny. They are often called ‘choosers of the slain’ and serve Odin by gathering the einherjar, the fallen heroes, for Valhalla. They can influence the outcome of battles, as seen in the Völsunga saga where the Valkyrie Brynhildr disobeys Odin and is punished. They are able to ride through the air and over sea, and their horses are sometimes described as flying. Some Valkyries have the ability to heal or to grant victory. In addition, they may shape-shift, particularly into swans, and they possess supernatural wisdom. Their powers are not unlimited, however; they are subject to Odin’s will and can be stripped of their divine status. For example, Brynhildr is punished by Odin for disobeying him, and she is confined to a remote tower. Their primary function is to serve as agents of Odin’s design for the slain, and their abilities reflect this martial and fateful role. They are also associated with the concept of fate, similar to the Norns, and may have the ability to weave the fate of battles. In some sources, they are said to decide the course of war, granting victory to one side or the other. Their powers are thus both martial and supernatural, combining the ability to influence combat with the ability to transcend the mortal realm.

Role in myth and folklore

In Norse mythology, Valkyries are primarily attendants of Odin, tasked with selecting the slain for Valhalla. They also serve mead to the einherjar in Valhalla, as described in the Prose Edda. Some Valkyries are named in sources, including Brynhildr, Sigrún, Hlökk, and Göndul. They appear in heroic legends, such as the Völsunga saga, where Brynhildr is a central figure, and in the Helgi poems, where Valkyries marry mortal heroes. They are also associated with the Norns, the fates, and with disir, female guardian spirits. In folklore, the belief in Valkyries persisted in later Scandinavian traditions, where they were sometimes conflated with shield-maidens or supernatural women. They are not objects of worship in the surviving sources but are rather literary and mythological figures. Their role is to mediate between the world of gods and the world of men, particularly in matters of war and death. In some sagas, they are depicted as having romantic relationships with mortal heroes, such as Sigrún and Helgi. They also appear in skaldic poetry as metaphorical figures for women, and their names are used in kennings for battle and weapons. Overall, their role is multifaceted, encompassing martial, supernatural, and romantic dimensions.

Symbolism and cultural meaning

Valkyries symbolize the intersection of war, death, and fate. They embody the idea that death in battle is not meaningless but a selection for an honored afterlife. They also represent female power in a martial context, though their agency is often circumscribed by Odin’s authority. In modern times, they have become symbols of female empowerment and warrior women, though this interpretation is more modern than medieval. They also symbolize the inevitability of fate and the heroic ideal of dying well. In Norse culture, they may have served as a comfort to warriors, promising glory after death. Their image as beautiful, armor-clad women has influenced art, literature, and popular culture. They are sometimes associated with the concept of the ‘shield-maiden,’ though the two are distinct in medieval sources. Overall, Valkyries represent the transformative power of death and the honor of those who fall in battle. They also reflect the Norse worldview, in which war and death were central, and the Valkyries provided a means of understanding these forces. Their dual nature as both warriors and supernatural beings makes them complex symbols that continue to resonate in modern culture.

Modern appearances and legacy

Valkyries have appeared in numerous modern works. Richard Wagner’s opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen (1848–1874) features the Valkyrie Brünnhilde, who is one of the most famous characters in opera. In Marvel Comics, Valkyries are depicted as Asgardian warriors, with Brunnhilde leading the Valkyrior; this version appears in films such as Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and the animated series Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Other appearances include the video game series God of War, where Valkyries are optional bosses, and the novel The Long Ships by Frans G. Bengtsson. In music, the ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ from Wagner’s opera is widely recognized. They also appear in role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons and in the TV series Vikings. Their legacy persists as a symbol of martial female figures and as a popular motif in fantasy and science fiction. In addition, they have been referenced in poetry, such as in the works of the Swedish poet Esaias Tegnér, and in modern fantasy literature by authors like J.R.R. Tolkien, though Tolkien’s Valkyries are not direct representations. Their image continues to be used in various media, often emphasizing their role as warrior women and choosers of the slain.

Frequently asked questions

Are Valkyries gods? In Norse mythology, Valkyries are supernatural beings, often described as maidens in service to Odin. They are not typically considered full deities, though some may have divine origins. They are sometimes classified as disir or lesser spirits. Do Valkyries only choose the slain? Their primary role is to select warriors for Valhalla, but they also serve mead and participate in battles. Some Valkyries, like Brynhildr, have their own stories that go beyond this function. Are Valkyries still believed in today? Valkyries belong to medieval Norse mythology and are not part of any major living religion. However, they remain popular in modern culture and are sometimes adopted as symbols in various contexts. Their portrayal in modern media often differs from medieval sources. What is the difference between Valkyries and shield-maidens? Shield-maidens are mortal women who take up arms, while Valkyries are supernatural beings. In some sources, the two are conflated, but they are distinct in medieval literature. Do Valkyries have names? Yes, many are named in the sources, including Brynhildr, Sigrún, Hlökk, Göndul, and others. These names often reflect their martial or supernatural attributes.