Valkyrie A5 Print

 Valkyrie

In Norse Mythology, a Valkyrie (/vælˈkɪəri, -ˈkaɪri, vɑːl-, ˈvælkəri/, from Old Norse valkyrja "chooser of the slain") is one of a host of female figures who choose those who may die in battle and those who may live. Selecting among half of those who die in battle (the other half go to the goddess Freyja's afterlife field Folkvangr), the Valkyrie's take their chosen to the afterlife hall of the slain, Valhalla, ruled over by the god Odin. There, the deceased warriors become einherjar (old norse for "single (or once) fighters"). When the einherjar are not preparing for the events of Ragnarok the valkyrie's bear them Mead.

Valkyries also appear as lovers of heroes and other mortals, where they are sometimes described as the daughters of royalty, sometimes accompanied by Raven's and sometimes connected to Swan's or Horses.