What is a Valkyrie?
A valkyrie is a figure in Norse mythology depicted as a warrior woman on horseback, a wolf or boar, and armed with a spear, who decides the fate of warriors in battle and carries the dead to Odins Valhalla. Valkyrie means "chooser of the slain", and those chosen will fight beside Odin at Ragnarök.
valkyrie
The origin and meaning of the term
The word valkyrie derives from Old Norse valkyrja (plural valkyrjur), which is composed of two words: the noun valr (referring to the slain on the battlefield) and the verb kjósa (meaning "to choose"). Together, they mean 'chooser of the slain'. The Old Norse valkyrja is cognate to Old English wælcyrġe.
The role and characteristics of valkyries in Norse mythology
Valkyries were selected by Odin to lead his personal unit of shield-maidens, the Valkyrior. They served the god by flying over the battlefields and selecting the most heroic warriors who died in combat. They then escorted them to Valhalla, where they became einherjar (Old Norse "single or once fighters"). There, they would feast and drink mead until the day of Ragnarök, when they would join Odin in the final battle against the forces of evil.
Valkyries also had other functions in Norse mythology. Some of them had the power to cause or prevent the death of the warriors they favored or disliked. Others acted as lovers or protectors of mortal heroes, such as Sigurd, Helgi, and Sigrún. Valkyries were often associated with fairness, brightness, gold, and bloodshed. They wore helmets and shields, rode winged horses or other animals, and carried the enchanted sword Dragonfang.
The different types and names of valkyries
There were two types of valkyries in Norse mythology: purely supernatural ones and human ones with certain supernatural powers. Both types were mentioned in various sources, such as the Poetic Edda, the Prose Edda, the Heimskringla, and the sagas.
The names of valkyries often reflected their attributes or functions. For example, some names meant "battle", "shield", "sword", "spear", or "helmet". Others referred to animals, such as "swan", "raven", or "wolf". Some names were poetic or descriptive, such as "bright battle", "wish maiden", or "Odin's maid".
Some of the most famous valkyries in Norse mythology were:
Brunnhilde (Old Norse "armored warrior woman"), who was punished by Odin for disobeying his orders and fell in love with Sigurd.
Gunnr (Old Norse "war"), who was one of the three main valkyries along with Róta and Skuld.
Sigrún (Old Norse "victory rune"), who was a human princess reborn as a valkyrie and married Helgi Hundingsbane.
Göndul (Old Norse "wand-wielder"), who was a powerful sorceress and a leader of the Valkyrior.
Kara (Old Norse "the wild, stormy one"), who was a human valkyrie who loved Helgi Haddingjaskati.
<h1 How did valkyries appear in popular culture?
The valkyries have been a source of inspiration and fascination for many artists and creators throughout history. Their image of warrior women who fly over the battlefield and choose the slain has been adapted and reinterpreted in various forms of popular culture, such as literature, art, music, comics, and movies. Here are some examples of how the valkyries have appeared in popular culture.
The influence of valkyries on literature, art, and music
One of the earliest and most influential works that featured the valkyries was the Völsunga saga, a 13th-century Icelandic saga that tells the story of the legendary hero Sigurd and his love for the valkyrie Brynhildr. The saga was based on older poems and oral traditions, and influenced many later writers, such as William Shakespeare, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Richard Wagner.
Another famous work that depicted the valkyries was Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung), a cycle of four operas composed in the 19th century. The operas are based on Norse and Germanic myths and legends, and feature several valkyries as important characters. The most famous of them is Brünnhilde, who is the daughter of Wotan (Odin) and the leader of the Valkyrior. She defies her father's will and helps Siegfried (Sigurd) to awaken Brynhildr from her enchanted sleep. Wagner's operas are known for their epic music and dramatic scenes, especially the Ride of the Valkyries, which depicts the valkyries flying to Valhalla with the dead heroes.
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The valkyries have also been portrayed in various forms of visual art, such as paintings, sculptures, and illustrations. Some of the most famous artists who depicted the valkyries were Peter Nicolai Arbo, Edward Burne-Jones, Gustav Klimt, Arthur Rackham, and Howard David Johnson. Their artworks often show the valkyries as beautiful and powerful women who ride on winged horses or other animals, carrying spears or swords, and wearing helmets or crowns. Some artworks also depict scenes from the myths and legends involving the valkyries, such as their encounters with mortal heroes or their role in Ragnarök.
The depiction of valkyries in Marvel comics and movies
The valkyries have also been adapted into modern media, such as comics and movies. One of the most popular examples is the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which is a series of superhero films based on Marvel comics. The MCU features several characters and elements from Norse mythology, including Thor, Loki, Odin, Asgard, and the valkyries.
In the MCU, the valkyries are an elite group of female warriors who serve as Odin's personal guard and protectors of Asgard. They are skilled in combat and ride on winged horses called pegasuses. They also wield weapons made from uru metal, such as swords or spears. The most prominent valkyrie in the MCU is Valkyrie (also known as Brunnhilde), who is played by Tessa Thompson. She first appears in Thor: Ragnarok (2017), where she is a former member of the Valkyrior who has become a bounty hunter on Sakaar after surviving Hela's attack on her comrades. She later joins Thor and his allies to stop Hela and save Asgard from Ragnarök. She also appears in Avengers: Endgame (2019), where she helps to defeat Thanos and his army, and becomes the new ruler of New Asgard after Thor abdicates his throne.
The design and performance of the XB-70 Valkyrie aircraft
The valkyries have also inspired some technological innovations, such as the XB-70 Valkyrie aircraft. The XB-70 Valkyrie was a prototype of a supersonic bomber developed by North American Aviation for the United States Air Force in the 1950s and 1960s. It was designed to fly at Mach 3 (three times faster than sound) at high altitudes, delivering nuclear bombs to enemy targets. It was also equipped with advanced features such as variable-sweep wings, canards, compression lift, and a crew escape capsule.
The XB-70 Valkyrie was one of the most ambitious and expensive aircraft projects in history, costing over $1 billion at that time. However, it faced many technical challenges and also faced political opposition and budget cuts. Only two prototypes were built, and one of them was lost in a tragic mid-air collision with a smaller aircraft in 1966, killing two pilots. The surviving prototype was retired in 1969 and donated to the National Museum of the United States Air Force, where it is on display to this day. The XB-70 Valkyrie was a remarkable achievement of engineering and design, but it never fulfilled its original purpose as a strategic bomber.
Conclusion
The valkyries are one of the most fascinating and influential figures in Norse mythology and popular culture. They represent the ideal of warrior women who have the power to choose the fate of the dead and escort them to Valhalla. They have inspired many artists and creators to portray them in various forms of literature, art, music, comics, and movies. They have also inspired some technological innovations, such as the XB-70 Valkyrie aircraft. The valkyries are a symbol of courage, beauty, and mystery that continue to captivate people's imagination.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the valkyries:
How many valkyries are there in Norse mythology?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as different sources mention different numbers and names of valkyries. However, some of the most common numbers are nine, twelve, or thirteen. For example, the Völuspá (The Prophecy of the Seeress) mentions thirteen valkyries who bring ale to the einherjar in Valhalla.
Are valkyries angels or demons?
Valkyries are neither angels nor demons, but supernatural beings who serve Odin and act as his messengers and agents. They are not purely good or evil, but have their own personalities and motivations. Some of them are loyal and benevolent, while others are rebellious and malicious. They are also not immortal, but can be killed or wounded by weapons or magic.
Are valkyries related to swans?
Some valkyries have the ability to transform into swans or wear swan-feathers that allow them to fly. This is a common motif in Norse literature and art, where valkyries are often depicted as swan-maidens. However, not all valkyries have this ability or association with swans. Some of them ride on other animals, such as horses, wolves, or boars.
Are valkyries the same as the Norns?
Valkyries and Norns are different types of beings in Norse mythology, although they share some similarities and functions. The Norns are three female entities who control the destiny of gods and men by spinning and cutting the threads of life. They are usually named Urd (past), Verdandi (present), and Skuld (future). The valkyries are female warriors who choose the slain on the battlefield and bring them to Valhalla. They also have individual names and personalities. However, both valkyries and Norns can influence the outcome of battles and wars by using magic or prophecy.
Are there any male equivalents of valkyries?
There are no exact male equivalents of valkyries in Norse mythology, but there are some male beings who have similar roles or functions. For example, Odin himself can choose the slain on the battlefield and bring them to Valhalla. He is also accompanied by two ravens named Huginn (thought) and Muninn (memory), who fly over the world and report what they see to him. Another example is Heimdallr, the guardian of the Bifröst bridge that connects Asgard and Midgard. He has keen senses and can see and hear everything that happens in the nine worlds. He also blows his horn Gjallarhorn to signal the onset of Ragnarök.
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