Viking Valhalla: The Hall of the Fallen
If you are fascinated by the history and mythology of the Vikings, you have probably heard of Valhalla, the hall where the god Odin welcomes the warriors who die in battle. But what exactly is Valhalla, how do you get there, and why is it important? In this article, we will explore these questions and more, based on the sources and evidence we have about this mysterious and glorious afterlife.
What is Valhalla?
Valhalla is a word that comes from Old Norse, the language spoken by the Vikings. It means "the hall of the fallen" or "the hall of the slain". It is a place where Odin, the chief god of the Norse pantheon, hosts and honors the warriors who die bravely in combat. It is also a place where these warriors prepare for the final battle of Ragnarok, the end of the world, when they will fight alongside Odin against the forces of evil.
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The meaning and origin of the word Valhalla
The word Valhalla is composed of two elements: valr, which means "the slain" or "the dead in battle", and höll, which means "hall". The word valr is related to the verb vala, which means "to choose" or "to select". This implies that not all who die in battle are chosen for Valhalla, but only those who meet certain criteria, which we will discuss later. The word höll is related to the word hella, which means "to cover" or "to conceal". This suggests that Valhalla is hidden or protected from view, perhaps by magic or by its location.
The description and location of Valhalla
Valhalla is described as a splendid palace, roofed with shields, where the warriors feast on the flesh of a boar slaughtered daily and made whole again each evening. They also drink mead from the udders of a goat named Heidrun, who feeds on the leaves of a tree called Læraðr. They enjoy games, contests, and stories, as well as fighting each other for sport and training. Their wounds heal quickly and they never die permanently.
Valhalla is located in Asgard, the realm of the gods, which is connected to Midgard, the realm of humans, by a rainbow bridge called Bifrost. Within Asgard, Valhalla is situated on a hill called Gladsheimr, which means "the bright home". It has 540 doors, each wide enough for 800 warriors to march through side by side. It also has a hall called Thudvangar, which means "the place of thunder", where Odin's throne, called Hlidskjalf, is located. From this throne, Odin can see everything that happens in the nine worlds.
The inhabitants and activities of Valhalla
The main inhabitants of Valhalla are Odin and his Valkyries, who are female beings that serve him as messengers and choosers of the slain. They fly over the battlefields on their horses or swans, carrying spears and shields, and select those who are worthy of joining Odin in his hall. They also tend to the needs and desires of the warriors in Valhalla.
The other inhabitants are the einherjar (singular einheri), which means "the lone fighters" or " the ones who fight alone". These are the warriors who have died in battle and have been chosen by Odin and the Valkyries. They are mostly men, but some women are also among them. They are loyal and brave, and they respect Odin as their leader and patron. They also have a friendly rivalry with each other, and they often challenge each other to duels or games. They are not afraid of death, because they know that they will be resurrected every morning and that they will fight for a noble cause at Ragnarok.
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How do you get to Valhalla?
Valhalla is not a place for everyone. It is reserved for those who have proven themselves in battle and have earned the favor of Odin. There are several factors and conditions that determine who gets to enter Valhalla, and who does not.
The role of Odin and the Valkyries
Odin is the god of war, wisdom, poetry, magic, and death. He is also known as the Allfather, because he is the father of many gods and heroes. He is the ruler of Valhalla, and he has the final say on who gets to join him there. He is often depicted as a one-eyed man with a long beard, wearing a cloak and a hat, and carrying a spear called Gungnir.
The Valkyries are Odin's servants and helpers. They are also known as the choosers of the slain, because they have the power to decide who lives and who dies in battle. They are usually depicted as beautiful women with long hair, wearing armor and helmets, and riding on horses or swans.
Odin and the Valkyries work together to select the best warriors for Valhalla. They observe the battles from above, and they look for those who show courage, skill, honor, and loyalty. They also look for those who worship Odin and follow his commands. They sometimes intervene in the battles, either to protect or to kill certain warriors, depending on Odin's will.
The criteria and rituals for entering Valhalla
The main criterion for entering Valhalla is to die in battle. This means that you have to be a warrior, or at least someone who fights for a cause or defends someone or something. You also have to die with your weapon in your hand, or at least near you. You cannot die of old age, disease, accident, or suicide. You cannot die in bed, or in peace, or in shame.
The ritual for entering Valhalla is to be carried by the Valkyries to Asgard. The Valkyries usually appear after the battle is over, and they collect the bodies or souls of the chosen ones. They fly them over Bifrost, the rainbow bridge that connects Midgard and Asgard. They then bring them to Valhalla, where they are greeted by Odin and welcomed by the other einherjar.
The alternatives and exceptions to Valhalla
Valhalla is not the only afterlife destination for the Vikings. There are other places where some of the dead go, depending on their deeds, beliefs, or preferences.
One of these places is Fólkvangr (the field of the people), which is ruled by Freyja, the goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and war. She is also a chooser of the slain, and she gets half of those who die in battle, while Odin gets the other half. Fólkvangr is described as a green and pleasant meadow, where Freyja's hall Sessrúmnir (the seat-room) is located. It is not clear how Freyja chooses her share of the warriors, or what they do in her realm.
Another place is Hel (the hidden), which is ruled by Hel (the goddess), who is the daughter of Loki (the trickster god) and Angrboða (a giantess). She is also the sister of Fenrir (the wolf) and Jörmungandr (the serpent). She presides over a realm of the same name, which is located in Niflheim (the world of mist), one of the nine worlds in Norse cosmology. Hel is where most of the dead go, especially those who die of natural causes or dishonorably. It is described as a dark and cold place, where there is no joy or hope.
There are also some exceptions to the rule that only those who die in battle can go to Valhalla. For example, some heroes or kings who have a special relationship with Odin or the gods are allowed to enter Valhalla, even if they die peacefully or by other means. For example, Baldr (the god of light) and Nanna (his wife) are brought to Valhalla by Hermod (the messenger god) after they die by the trickery of Loki. Another example is Sigurd (the hero of the Volsunga saga) and Brynhild (a Valkyrie), who are burned on a funeral pyre and then taken to Valhalla by Odin, despite not dying in battle.
Why is Valhalla important?
Valhalla is not just a place of reward and pleasure for the fallen warriors. It is also a place of significance and purpose for the Viking culture and worldview. Valhalla reflects and influences the values, beliefs, and aspirations of the Vikings, as well as their art and literature.
The influence of Valhalla on Viking culture and warfare
Valhalla is a symbol of the Viking ideal of honor and glory in battle. It encourages and motivates the Vikings to be brave, loyal, and skillful warriors, who are willing to risk their lives for their cause or their lord. It also gives them a sense of pride and dignity, knowing that they have a chance to join the gods and heroes in the afterlife. It also gives them a sense of hope and optimism, knowing that they have a role to play in the final battle of Ragnarok, when they will fight for the good of the world.
Valhalla also influences the way the Vikings conduct their warfare and their rituals. The Vikings are known for their raids, invasions, and explorations across Europe and beyond, which they often do for wealth, land, or fame. They are also known for their fierce and ruthless fighting style, which involves axes, swords, spears, shields, helmets, and chain mail. They often use berserkers (warriors who fight in a frenzied state) or ulfhednar (warriors who wear wolf skins) to intimidate their enemies. They also use runes (symbols with magical or religious meanings) or banners (flags with animal or mythical motifs) to inspire their allies. They also perform sacrifices (of animals or humans) or blots (feasts with offerings to the gods) to gain favor or protection from Odin and the other gods.
The representation of Valhalla in art and literature
Valhalla is a source of inspiration and imagination for the Viking art and literature. It is often depicted or mentioned in various forms of artistic expression, such as carvings, paintings, sculptures, poems, sagas, or songs. Some examples of these are:
The Oseberg ship burial: This is a Viking ship that was used as a grave for two women in the 9th century CE. It was discovered in Norway in 1904 CE. It contains many artifacts and decorations that show scenes from Norse mythology, including Valhalla.
The Poetic Edda: This is a collection of poems that date from the 10th to the 13th century CE. It was written in Old Norse by unknown authors. It contains many stories and references to Valhalla, such as the Voluspa (the prophecy of the seeress), the Grimnismal (the sayings of Odin), the Hávamál (the sayings of the high one), and the Helgakvida Hundingsbana II (the second lay of Helgi Hundingsbane).
The Prose Edda: This is a book that was written in the 13th century CE by Snorri Sturluson, an Icelandic historian and poet. It is a guide to Norse mythology and poetry, based on earlier sources. It contains many descriptions and explanations of Valhalla, such as in the Gylfaginning (the tricking of Gylfi), the Skáldskaparmál (the language of poetry), and the Háttatal (the enumeration of meters).
The legacy and relevance of Valhalla today
Valhalla is not only a part of the past, but also a part of the present and the future. It has left a lasting impact and influence on various aspects of modern culture and society, such as:
Language: The word Valhalla has entered the English language as a synonym for heaven or paradise, especially for warriors or heroes. It is also used as a metaphor for a place of honor or glory.
Literature: Valhalla has inspired many writers and artists to create works that are based on or related to it, such as novels, poems, plays, comics, movies, games, and music. Some examples are The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Valkyries by Paulo Coelho, The Ring Cycle by Richard Wagner, Thor by Marvel Comics, Valhalla Rising by Nicolas Winding Refn, Assassin's Creed Valhalla by Ubisoft, and Valhalla by Blind Guardian.
Religion: Valhalla has attracted the interest and devotion of some modern pagans and neo-pagans, who follow or revive the ancient beliefs and practices of the Norse and other Germanic peoples. They often honor Odin and the other gods, celebrate the festivals and rituals of the old calendar, and aspire to enter Valhalla after death.
Science: Valhalla has inspired some scientific discoveries and inventions, especially in the fields of astronomy and space exploration. For example, there is a crater on Callisto (one of Jupiter's moons) named Valhalla, which is the largest multi-ring impact basin in the solar system. There is also a project called VALHALLA (Very-high-energy And Large-area High Altitude Latin American Array), which is a proposed observatory for gamma-ray astronomy in Chile.
Conclusion
Valhalla is a fascinating and complex concept that reflects the culture and worldview of the Vikings. It is a place where the god Odin welcomes and honors the warriors who die in battle, and where they prepare for the final battle of Ragnarok. It is also a place that influences and inspires the values, beliefs, and aspirations of the Vikings, as well as their art and literature. It is also a place that has a lasting legacy and relevance for modern culture and society, in various aspects such as language, literature, religion, and science.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Valhalla:
What is the difference between Valhalla and Walhalla?
Valhalla is the Old Norse word for the hall of the fallen, while Walhalla is the Old English word for the same concept. They are both derived from the same Proto-Germanic root *walhaz, which means "the slain" or "the foreigner". Walhalla is also the name of a neoclassical hall of fame in Germany, which honors distinguished figures from German history and culture.
Is Valhalla only for Vikings?
No, Valhalla is not only for Vikings. Vikings are the people who lived in Scandinavia and other parts of northern Europe from the 8th to the 11th century CE. They are also known as Norsemen or Northmen. However, Valhalla is open to anyone who dies in battle with honor and courage, regardless of their ethnicity or nationality. For example, some Anglo-Saxons, Franks, or Slavs who fought against or with the Vikings could also enter Valhalla.
Is Valhalla a heaven or a hell?
Valhalla is neither a heaven nor a hell. It is a place of reward and pleasure for those who die in battle, but it is also a place of preparation and duty for those who will fight at Ragnarok. It is not a place of eternal bliss or torment, but a place of temporary residence until the end of the world. It is also not a place of moral judgment or salvation, but a place of honor and glory.
Can women go to Valhalla?
Yes, women can go to Valhalla. Although most of the einherjar are men, there are some women who have died in battle and have been chosen by Odin and the Valkyries. For example, some shieldmaidens (female warriors) or queens (female rulers) who have fought bravely and skillfully could enter Valhalla. There are also some female gods or goddesses who live in or visit Valhalla, such as Frigg (Odin's wife), Freyja (Odin's lover), Sif (Thor's wife), or Idunn (the keeper of the apples of youth).
What happens to animals in Valhalla?
Animals also have a role to play in Valhalla. Some animals are used as food or drink for the einherjar, such as the boar Sæhrímnir (the sea-sooty) or the goat Heidrun (the bright one). These animals are killed and eaten every day, but they are revived every night by magic. Some animals are used as companions or mounts for the einherjar or the gods, such as the horses Sleipnir (the slipper), Grani (the grey), or Hildisvini (the battle-swine), or the wolves Geri (the greedy) and Freki (the ravenous), who are Odin's pets. Some animals are used as symbols or attributes for the gods or the einherjar, such as the ravens Huginn (the thought) and Muninn (the memory), who are Odin's messengers, or the eagle, the bear, or the wolf, who are associated with strength, courage, or ferocity. 44f88ac181
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