The Valhalla is for the ancient Norse culture, a mythical place where they live after his death fallen warriors. According to the mythology of this ancient people, only the bravest and most talented warriors are chosen to live in this paradise with Odin.
It was considered a sacred land because Valhalla was one of the most honorable sites, according to Norse mythology, to be admitted after death. It was a place where food and drink abounded.
Image of the God Odin. Source: Annie Klingensmith, via Wikimedia Commons.
The idea of Valhalla became an element that served the Norse to deal with the pain of having lost their own. Their existence meant that they had died with honor and that they were in a better place.
Origin
The first existing reference to Valhalla was in two anonymous poems that were written in honor of the deaths of two important kings: Erico I of Norway (also known as Erik Bloody Ax), who died in York in 954, and Haakon I of Norway, who died in battle in 961.
Descriptions of Valhalla made it look like a place for aristocrats, with a privileged few entering Odin's hall.
Valhalla was run by Odin, a God worshiped by warriors and rulers, who many times sacrificed people with the intention of achieving victory in battles.
As the life of the warriors was short (very few lived more than 40 years), because of the continuous travels full of danger, the bloody battles and the harsh lifestyle, Valhalla was described as a place where wounds and the mead was always present.
This mythological place was the Norse idea of heaven. Knowing that Valhalla was the final destination of their lives was what allowed many to face the dangers of battle without fear.
Figures
There are some important elements in Valhalla, but the Valkyries and Odin are considered the two most important figures in this paradise from Norse mythology.
Odin
The God Odin was known as "the father of Valhalla" or "the father of the dead," since all warriors who fell in battle became his adopted children. He was the most important God in all of Norse mythology.
The valkyries
The belief says that Valkyries are very beautiful female spirits. According to Norse mythology, before any encounter occurred, the Valkyries already chose with Odin who would win a battle and who would die. They decided the fate of the warriors.
The pig
One of the most important moments in Valhalla was when the warriors sat down to eat and drink. According to legend, the chef Andhrimnir cut pieces from a giant pig. This in turn was not a normal pig, since after each cut made its meat grew again.
The goat
In Valhalla there was also a goat named Heidrun. This was located on the ceiling of the warriors' rooms, it was standing and was in charge of eating the branches of the tree of life. A large quantity of mead flowed from her udders into a tub, so large that it allowed everyone in Valhalla to get drunk every day.
Einherjar
The einherjar were considered the warriors who suffered the noblest deaths. The meaning of the term is "fight alone." They had reserved a place of honor within this paradise.
Valhalla Features
According to an old Norse poem, The Song of the Hooded Man, Valhalla was full of elements of warfare. The golden ceiling of this hall was made of shields and has spears on its beams. Shields are also present on the walls, although those in this location are very different from what is found on the ceiling.
The seats, for example, were made up of breastplates and surrounded the large number of banquet tables that were present in the room. While the swords were used to emit light in the room while the einherjar ate and drank.
Valhalla was supposed to be located in the city of Asgard. From this paradisiacal world its beauty stood out; and therefore the banquet hall is supposed to have consisted of a highly ornate room, like the lands around it.
There are several areas in Valhalla for warriors. In the main room there are three thrones where those who preside over the hall of heroes are located. In it there are areas for the warriors to rest, as well as other areas for games and combat.
Due to their decisive role, the presence of the Valkyries is abundant in Valhalla. One of their duties is to serve the warriors whose fate they decided.
Access to Valhalla
Entering Valhalla was not as simple as just being a warrior. Not everyone who died in battle went to this paradise of Norse mythology. There were some criteria that had to be met to enter, although each author seemed to have a different idea about them.
For example, warriors who died of disease or old age faced a dishonorable or even sad afterlife. These were heading to a kingdom considered foggy. In that place they shared a simple meal with the goddess Hel.
On the other hand, there were the Vikings, considered as a race of the sea and who risked their lives in the waves. Of this group, those who died by drowning went to the corridor of the God of the sea, Aegir, after being caught by his wife Ran's net.
This was a better fate than those who died of illness or old age had, as the God Aegir was regarded as one of the best brewers.
Nordic society at that time did not have written contracts, so the value of words and oaths was almost sacred and had a very high value. Those who did not respect the importance of their oaths and did not keep their word were destined after their death for an eternity in a room of poisonous snakes.
Lastly, there were also the warriors Freyja chose. The Goddess of love and fertility received half of the warriors killed in battle and these fulfilled the purpose of accompanying the women who inhabited their lands and who had died virgins.
References
- Baby, P. (2017). In the Halls of Valhalla from Asgard - Vikings for Kids - Norse Mythology for Kids - 3rd Grade Social Studies. Newark: Speedy Publishing, LLC.
- Geller. (2019). Valhalla - History, Myths & Interpretations. Recovered from hmythology.net
- O'Donoghue, H. (2015). From Asgard to Valhalla. London: IB Tauris.
- Oliver, N. (2019). How do you get to Viking Valhalla ?. Recovered from bbc.co.uk
- Valhalla. (2019). Recovered from norse-mythology.org
- Valhalla - Norse mythology. (2019). Recovered from britannica.com