The Valkyries were among the most striking figures in Norse mythology. The name means “choosers of the slain,” and that was their job. According to the legends, they were warrior women who served the god Odin. They flew over battlefields on horseback, deciding which warriors lived and which ones died with honor.
When a warrior fell bravely in battle, a Valkyrie would swoop down and carry his spirit up to Valhalla, Odin’s hall. There he would feast and train alongside other heroes. The Valkyries themselves were said to serve the warriors mead in the hall every night between practice battles.
The Vikings imagined Valkyries in shining armor and helmets, holding spears and shields. One famous explanation said the shimmering green Northern Lights were actually light bouncing off Valkyrie armor as they flew north. The most famous Valkyrie was Brynhildr, whose story inspired centuries of operas, comics, and movies.
