Exploring the Norse Myth of the Valkyries

Few figures in mythology have captured the imagination as much as the Norse Valkyries. Although there are various ideas about "who" and "what" the Valkyries really were, certain aspects of them remain in tact. Most agree that they were fearless female warriors who served the Norse God Odin.

Some resources picture them as almost corpse like goddesses linked forever to the equally mysterious and frightening raven. As such they were thought to have the ability to literally frighten someone to death.

Other sources show them as stunning young women dressed in flowing robes with nothing more than a center shield. Still others stick with the most popular depiction of mighty maidens sheathed in leather, who were more than capable of holding their own in any battle.

The Valkyries, as immortalized in the famous piece of music Richard Wagner, were considered virtually immortal. They are most often pictured in full armor, astride their mighty steeds. However, rather than being pictured on the ground, the Valkyries were always riding through the air and the horses, therefore, possessed wings.

According to most resources, the role that the Valkyries played for Odin was two fold. First of all, they helped the great god Odin by making certain that the victors in battle were those chosen to win by the gods themselves.

Secondly, they were charged with finding slain heroes and bringing them to his treasure hall, Valhalla. There they would be brought back to life and begin even more rigorous training for battles assigned to them by Odin.

Ultimately, many believed that the purpose of these heroes was supposed to be to help the gods fight earth's final battle. The Norse believed that they, along with Odin, could prevent the end of the world.

However, not all heroes were accepted into Valhalla, which was also called the Heroes Heaven. Each warrior had to pass a test to win entry into the hall. Those that failed were sent to serve Hel, the goddess of the underworld.

The leader and most famous of the Valkyries was called Brunhild. Some sources, on the other hand, insist that even she had a "boss" of sorts in the form of the goddess Freya. This confusion probably came about because Freya was considered the Norse goddess of battle and death, along with beauty, fertility, and love.

It is said that Freya received half of the heroes collected by the Valkyries. Odin collected the other half. However, Odin maintained control over the warrior soldiers.

Many also equate the Valkyries to the Celtic war goddess Morrigan. That connection likely has more to do with the fact that the two were both associated with the raven.

However, the raven wasn't the only bird associated with the Valkyries. The swan was also connected with them in certain mythological stories.

As the story goes, there were certain young maidens who had the capability to turn themselves in swans. If you could successfully capture one of these creatures, she would be compelled to grant you a wish. This same type of folklore was often attached to the Valkyries, making the two tales blend together into a single story.

If Freya was, indeed, associated with the Valkyries, then a third bird comes into play; that of the falcon. It is said that the goddess possessed a cloak made from falcon feathers. When she wore it, supposedly Freya could take the form of the bird and fly wherever she chose.

The origin of these warrior maidens also remains in question. Some believed them to have been born of mortal parents but endowed with certain powers by the gods. Others believed that they were the product of the gods mating with mortals, making the Valkyries demi-goddesses. Still others considered them full goddesses in their own right.

Perhaps the popularity of the Valkyries lies in the fact that so little is really understood about them. They remain somewhat of mystery with hundreds of unanswered questions following behind them.

In reality, it is likely that very mystery that has caused this band of warrior maidens to be such a popular subject for literature, art, and music. They leave something to the imagination.