In Norse mythology, the Valkyries are perhaps the best known characters

Valkyries in mythology are described as souls flying above the battlefield to search for the dead, deciding the fate of those who have passed away. From “Valkyrie” means “the one who chooses the butcher”, and once chosen, the warriors are taken by them across the Bifrost rainbow, to Valhalla. Valhalla is a heavenly palace, a place for dead warriors.

However, in later Norse mythology, the Valkyries were more romanticized and became female warriors holding the shield of Odin, virgins with golden hair, who served meals to their brothers. hero in Valhalla. The act of serving food in Valhalla is not considered a lowly act, on the contrary, in Norse culture, queens personally serving meals to others shows respect for their guests. When Valkyries appear on the battlefield, they will transform into swan maidens. However, if they are caught by others without their feathers, they may be trapped in this world.

Teacher of warriors

One of the tasks that Valkyrie undertakes is combat training, healing or reviving warriors. With this mission, Valkyries will sometimes impart knowledge to their students, as is the case with Valkyrie Sigrdrifa in Sigrdrifumal. Because of this story, Sigrdrifa did not fall in love with the man she trained, so she showed great interest in the fighting methods and proper behavior of her students on the battlefield.

In addition to teaching warriors, Valkyries can also protect those they favor. The methods of protection are very diverse such as shielding them in battle, warning them of danger or giving them dreams. Norse folk tales also tell the story of a mortal man dreaming of a Valkyrie stuffing straw into his stomach, replacing his internal organs and thereby making him immortal in the upcoming battle. Through dreams, Valkyrie can leave behind omens of battle and death.

The ancient Norse believed that the aurora lights that appeared in the sky were reflections from the Valkyries when they beat their swords against their shields.

However, it is necessary to mention a slightly creepy aspect of Valkyrie, which is intervening in the deaths of mortals. Valkyrie will teach those they please, give him wisdom and inspiration, then wait until he is ripe, Valkyrie will kill him and take him to Valhalla.

Valkyrie – Swan fairies and romantic love stories

In the later stages of Norse mythology, Valkyrie was greatly romanticized with love stories with ordinary people or mortal heroes. Common stories about Valkyries all mention that they turn into swan fairies, accidentally having their humanoid form taken away by mortals. They then married mortals and had children. Depending on the story, the marriage may end happily, after mortals have been tested. On the contrary, the story can also become more dramatic, Valkyrie is murdered by her rival, then they revive and take revenge on their rival.

The most famous story about Valkyrie is the story of Brynhildr in the Volsung Saga. Brynhildr’s love affair with Sigurd is considered the most primitive version of Sleeping Beauty.