The Valkyries

The Valkyries (Old Norse: Valkyrjur, singular Valkyrja; Hebrew: וַלְקִירְיָה; German: Walküren; French: Valkyries; Spanish: Valquirias) are female figures who appear in Norse mythology as choosers of the slain. They are associated with battlefields and the afterlife, particularly with the hall of the slain, Valhalla, ruled over by the god Odin. The Valkyries are often depicted as riding winged horses, wearing armor, and carrying spears. They are tasked with selecting those who have died bravely in battle and transporting them to Valhalla, where they will feast and prepare for the events of Ragnarök. The Valkyries are also linked to fate and destiny, as they are sometimes described as weaving the tapestry of fate. Notable Valkyries include Brynhildr (Brunhild), Sigrún, and Hildr. The concept of the Valkyries has been popularized in modern culture through Richard Wagner's opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen and various other literary and artistic works.