They are among the best-known and most iconic figures of Norse mythology. Known as Valkyrja and Valkyrjur in Old Norse, and as Wælcyrge and Wælcyrie in Old English. Their name means "Chooser of the slain." They are a group of divine women who serve as honor-guard to the god Óðinn. They decide the outcome of battle. They determine who will live and who will die. They choose the souls who will go to Valhalla. This is an afterlife realm where rest, delight, and preparation for a greater war await. The chosen are called the Einherjar. In addition to escorting the dead, Valkyrjur act as lovers and spirit-wives to the slain. They serve mead and ale to them in the afterlife. They are mentioned in the Poetic Edda, the Prose Edda, Njáls Saga, and are present in the archaeological record.

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They are described as beautiful and regal. They wear shining armor and ride magnificent horses. At other times they ride terrifying wolves. They are shapeshifters. They appear on battlefields as flocks of ravens and crows. Sometimes they are seen as a swarm of bees. They also appear as horses or swans. The swan form is common when they are disrobing or at rest.

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The Valkyrjur are dramatic and powerful. They often fly. They arrive astride air-bound steeds. Their appearance may be marked by strange weather. Storm clouds. Mist. Sudden light breaking through. Thunder and wind. They are also linked to the Aurora Borealis. The lights in the sky were said to reflect from their armor. Their appearance shifts. They may gleam in polished steel. They may be drenched in blood. At times they resemble elegant swan maidens. At other times they resemble troll women. They delight in death and slaughter.

They may arrive with otherworldly singing or with horrible noise. Their presence is sometimes gentle and sometimes terrible. They are often linked with the Nornir, the great weavers of fate. They are also connected to the Disir, the guardian ancestresses of each family line. Their titles include Óskmey, meaning wish-maid. They are also called Óðins meyjar, meaning Odin’s maids. One of their most famous titles is Shield Maiden.

They are individuals as well as a group. Each Valkyrja has her own name and nature. Their names often reflect their role:

Geirdriful: Spear Flinger.
Geirskögul: Spear Shaker.
Gunnr: War.
Göndul: Wand Wielder.
Hildr: Battle.
Hrist: Quaking.
Hrund: Pricker.
Hjörþrimul: Sword Warrior.
Hervör Alvitr: All Wise.
Hjalmþrimul: Helmet Clatterer.
Hlaðguðr Svanhvít: White Swan.
Herja: Devastate.
Kára: Wild.
Ölrún: Ale Rune.
Róta: Sleet Storm.
Reginleif: Power Trance.
Ráðgríðr: Bossy.
Randgríðr: Shield Destroyer.
Sanngriðr: Cruel.
Sigrdrifa: Inciter of Victory.
Sigrún: Victory Rune.
Skalmöld: Sword Time.
Skeggjöld: Axe Age.
Skögul: Shaker.
Sveið: Noise.
Svipul: Changing Fate.
Þrima: Flight.
Þögn: Silence.

Some Valkyrjur appear in other myths as gods or heroines. Þrúðr is the daughter of Thor. Eir is a handmaiden of Frigg. Eir decides who will recover from illness and live. She is often seen as a goddess of healing. The most famous Valkyrja is Brynhildr. She is also called Brunhild or Brynhild. She plays a major role in the Völsunga Saga. She is often seen as a fallen Valkyrja.

Roman writers compared the Valkyries to female companions of Mars and Ares. These included Bellona, Enyo, and Discordia.

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Thoughts on the Valkyrjur

Jacob Grimm helped clarify the difference between Valkyrjur, Norns, and Disir. The Norns rule over fate. They determine what happens to all beings, even the gods. They are cosmic in scope. The Disir are guardian spirits. They are dead mothers and grandmothers. They keep families safe and united. Valkyrjur are servants of Odin. They belong to battle. They sever ties with kin. They cut the soul from the body. They direct the fallen to Valhalla. In this they resemble the Norn Skuld. The confusion between them came later. Christian writers often grouped all magical women together. Valkyries. Norns. Trolls. Spirits. They all became witches or demons.

As swan maids, Valkyrjur become erotic figures. Their swan skins can be stolen. This forces them into marriage with the thief. This fits a common story type. Animal spirit bride. The Celtic selkie is another version. Valkyries also appear as noble women. They serve drinking horns in Valhalla. They care for the Einherjar. These are the chosen warriors. Perhaps same-sex loving warriors would receive Valkyrboys. Or perhaps they go to Freyja instead.

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In life, the Valkyries were more terrifying than romantic. Men feared their appearance. They caused paralysis and madness. Early texts compare them to the Greek Furies. They share traits with the Morrígan of Celtic lore. The Valkyrjur were said to cast fetters on warriors. This caused panic or stillness in the midst of battle. Some spells have been found. They call on the Valkyrjur to fetter one’s enemies.

Some scholars suggest Valkyries were once mortal priestesses of Odin. They may have led rituals of sacrifice. They may have chosen who would die in battle. Ibn Fadlan’s writings describe a sacrificial woman. He called her the Angel of Death. She oversaw the funeral rites and selected victims.

Freyja is also a chooser of the slain. She takes half of the fallen. Odin takes the other half. Her hall is called Sessrumnir. It sits in the field of Fólkvangr.

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Signs and Symbols

Warrior women. Ravens. Crows. Swans. Horses. Wolves. Storms and mist. Drinking horns. The Aurora Borealis. Terrible noise.

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Associated Names

Valkyrja. Valkyrjur. Wælcyrge. Wælcyrie.