Valhalla is a place of eternal glory where the noblest of fallen warriors reside with Odin. It is said that only the bravest and most talented are selected to live in this luxurious paradise. Valhalla is known for being a land of abundant food and drink, especially mead and meat—a warrior’s favorite indulgence. Everything in Valhalla is designed to accommodate the fearsome warriors in their afterlife.
How was it decided who would be admitted to Valhalla?
The land of Valhalla was known to be sacred and was one of the most honorable places to be admitted to in the afterlife. It was thought that there were several criteria that allowed one to enter Valhalla and become an einherjar, but many of these are debated today.
Although there is some confusion as to the requirements for admission to this sacred place, it is believed that one had to die violently. For many years, it was mistakenly believed that simply dying at the hands of another, or dying after a fight or battle, was enough to be admitted to the warriors’ paradise, but the story of Baldur’s death proves that this is not true.
It has also been thought that one could enter Valhalla if one was a warrior. However, there have also been accounts of warriors who died and were unable to gain entry into Valhalla. This is thought to be partly because Odin has the final say when it comes to who becomes an Einherjar. Although there were certainly many who were admitted into this realm, there was a certain quality that had to be maintained because Odin needs these warriors to support him in a battle against Fenrir during Ragnarök.
Who were the Einherjar?
The Einherjar are known to have been elite warriors who died nobly and were therefore allowed to enter Valhalla. The word “einherjar” means “to fight alone” or “to fight alone.” This is probably due to the fearsome nature of these men, as well as the strength and power they possess. It is likely that this is also a recognition of each man’s ability to hold his own in battle—an important qualification considering the fate of their battle in Ragnarök.
Inuit mythology: Beliefs of a culture that inhabits the ArcticDid Odin ever influence the battle?
It was commonly believed that Odin and the Valkyries would watch over the battles and choose the outcome before the first swords were crossed. The Valkyries are believed to be beautiful female spirits who help the einherjar wait once they arrive in Valhalla. This is how they came to be called ‘the choosers of the fallen’. However, this name also has a second meaning.
Mythology tells us that the Valkyries, together with Odin, would choose who would win a battle and who would die in battle before anything happened. They wove the fate of those on the battlefield together with human intestines, using heads as weights and swords as beaters.
When a battle ended, Odin and the Valkyries would choose half of the warriors left on the battlefield. These were often the most capable and elite warriors who would do well to stand alongside Odin during the end times (Ragnarök). The other half of the warriors were captured by Freya.
What is Valhalla like?
One of the most captivating parts of the story of Valhalla is the sheer beauty of the paradisiacal world described in the story. Valhalla is known for being an amazing hall located in the realm of Asgard. This hall is known for being extremely ornate, much like the land surrounding it.
Outside the Hall of the Fallen
Outside Valhalla is a golden tree called Glasir— one of the most beautiful things in all of creation. In addition, there is a goat named Heiorun and a deer named Eikthyrnir that stand atop Valhalla and graze from a tree called Laeraor. Both creatures help provide sustenance found in Valhalla. The goat, Heiorun, is able to produce an endless supply of the finest mead known to man.
It is this mead that the einherjar of Valhalla drink every night when they celebrate the victories of the day. The Eikthyrnir also drips liquid from its horns into a spring called Hvergelmir. This spring is known to be the source of all water, so the contribution of the Eikthyrnir is equally important.
There is also a boar named Saehrimnir that is used to feed the many einherjar who inhabit Valhalla. This animal is unique because it is extremely large—it can feed more than 800 warriors without any problems—and is capable of regenerating itself. It is roasted every day and used to feed the einherjar, but by the end of the night, it has grown back to its original size.
Inside Valhalla
Entering Valhalla is even more impressive than simply viewing it from the side of the gates. This is where Odin resides alongside all of his fallen warriors and Valkyries. The fortress is enormous and stands at an impressive height. The ceiling is made of shiny golden shields that glisten in the sun. When you look up, you can see the beam made of spears above the floor.
Upon entering this sacred place, you can see many points of interest at once. There are, of course, areas where warriors rest, but there are also areas for games and combat. In the main hall, there are three thrones where those who preside over Valhalla sit. The lowest throne is taken by ‘High’, the middle throne is taken by ‘Equal to High’, and the highest throne is taken by ‘Third’. Although Third sits on the highest throne, High is actually the king of the hall.
There are also many Valkyries in Valhalla. It is their job to serve the warriors they helped bring to the hall and assist them with their needs in preparation for Ragnarök. The dining hall has many tables, and the chairs are made of fine breastplates and other armor. Additionally, it has been noted in some sources that shiny, bright swords are used to emit light while the einherjar eat and drink.
There are also many attractive shields that serve as wall panels. These shields are said to be markedly different from the shields that serve as the ceiling. It should be noted that there are many rooms that make up Valhalla. Thor’s hall within Valhalla is called Bilskirnir and has 540 different rooms! Of all the halls in Valhalla, Odin says that this hall could be the largest. It is believed that the space is so large that 800 men can exit through the doors of Bilskirnir simultaneously.
A typical day in Valhalla
One of the most interesting aspects of this place is the constant state of war that surrounds it. The hall is known to be filled with the best and most fearsome warriors Odin can find. Therefore, it only makes sense that these warriors maintain a fierce atmosphere to keep their skills sharp in preparation for the great battle of Ragnarök.
During a typical day in Valhalla, Odin sends Huginn and Muninn (his ravens) around the world, and the warriors begin the day fighting. Odin’s ravens always return before the first meal, and their arrival may signal the time when the meal should begin. It should also be noted that there is time for the einherjar to play (probably sports games such as running, jumping, etc.) and fight during the course of a day. However, it is more common to find the spirits of those who have fallen in combat.
Throughout the day, they fight each other and perform noble and admirable acts. They sustain their wounds as they did in their human lives, allowing the fighting games to maintain a level of intensity that keeps their reflexes sharp. At the end of these games, however, when the hour of the meal is called, all these wounds are magically healed.
The einherjar can then ride back to Valhalla and wait for a meal that would have been impressive even for the kings and royalty of that time period. They were served meat from the boar called Saehirmnir and given mead that was drunk from the udders of Heiorun. They are served by the Valkyries and celebrate throughout the night.
Interestingly, however, Odin does not eat anything. This is supposedly because he does not need to consume any sustenance. However, he does drink wine. He is said to give his portion of meat to the wolves that accompany him—Geri and Freki. At the end of the night, Saehirmnir is resurrected, and the einherjar rest in preparation for the next day.
Associated Viking practices
Because it was an honor to be admitted to Valhalla by Odin, it should come as no surprise that there were many aspects of Viking life that alluded to a sure passage to warrior paradise. These practices ranged from battle traditions to burial rites.
Sacrificing enemies
Although it was known that Odin and the Valkyries decided the fate of those on the battlefield long before the fighting began, this did not stop Vikings from trying to convince Odin to take their side in the midst of war. It was common to make human sacrifices to Odin, especially enemy royalty, nobles, and armies. These sacrifices were commonly made with spears and pitchforks because these are the ways in which Odin ‘sacrificed himself’ to be granted knowledge of the runes.
One of the most common ways to secure Odin’s favor during battle was thought to be throwing a spear at enemies during battle and “sacrificing” them by shouting, “Odin owns you all!”
Battle magic and the Ulfehonar
One of the most fearsome groups of warriors—the Ulfeonar (wolf warriors)—were known to have sworn allegiance to Odin and were believed to make up many of the warriors who were admitted to Valhalla. They were known to live on the fringes of society and keep themselves apart from the rest of the world.
They were part of an elite shamanic group known for embracing the spirit of animals—a practice that was especially fearsome during battle. There were also similar groups of shamanic warriors called the Berserkers (bear warriors) and the Svinfylking (boar warriors).
These warriors were known to be so fearsome that fire and metal could not harm them when they were in the midst of war. In fact, they were known to intimidate their enemies by swallowing fire and eating the edges of their shields (made of iron) before entering the battlefield.
They were so fierce that other Viking warriors had to stay out of their way when they were fighting—a member of the Ulfheonar was unable to differentiate between friends and enemies while fighting. They simply killed anyone who crossed their path.
It is believed that their great successes were often granted to them by Odin when they were able to transcend their human existence and fully embrace their animal nature. Although they were greatly feared, they were also respected for this reason. Needless to say, a high-ranking Ulfheonar who had left humanity behind was automatically assumed to have been granted passage to Valhalla when he died in battle.
Funeral rites
In Norse societies, it was believed that all warriors (and many other dead people) were burned on a funeral pyre atop a burial mound with all their possessions. This practice was thought to help them pass on to the afterlife to be reunited with Odin in Valhalla. It also allowed them to take all their belongings with them to the next life, especially their favorite weapons.
Their ashes were sent out to sea or buried in the ground to ensure safe passage. Their possessions were also sometimes “hidden” in the ground so that they could claim them once they arrived in Valhalla. Once these rites were completed, they could enjoy their time in Valhalla with all their favorite weapons and mementos from their life on Earth.
Myths surrounding Valhalla
There are many verses concerning Valhalla and its heroes. As one of the most respected places in Norse culture, there are many stories that tell of its structure and the people who live there. Here are some of the most popular myths that have been told about Valhalla.
Helgi Hundigsbane enters Valhalla
Helgi is known as a respected hero in Norse mythology and made a name for himself by killing his father’s enemy, King Hunding, at only 15 years old. This is how he earned the name ‘Hundingsbane’. After killing the king, Helgi continues to perform acts of bravery and eventually attracts the attention of a Valkyrie named Sigrun who came to him while he was sailing on his longboat. He immediately fell in love and pursued her hand in marriage.
However, she was already promised to another, and Helgi first had to fight her father and her fiancé to win her hand in marriage. When this was over, only one of her brothers, Dag, survived. Helgi and Sigrun lived happily for a time, but when Dag was overcome with grief and killed Helgi to uphold his family’s honor, Helgi’s spirit was taken to Valhalla.
During his stay, Helgi is asked to help Odin manage Valhalla due to his impressive achievements in Midgard. Helgi spends his time torturing his old nemesis, Hunding, by making him do menial tasks. However, he is somehow allowed to return to Midgard for one day.
He uses this time to reconnect with his Valkyrie wife, Sigrun. Before sunrise, he returns to Valhalla and never returns to Midgard. Sigrun eventually died of grief. However, there are those who believe that both Helgi Hundingsbane and Sigrun were reborn as the hero Helgi Haddingjaskati and the Valkyrie Kara.
Gylfi seeks the power of the gods in the sacred place
There is a legend of a king named Gylfi who travels to Asgard in search of the power of the gods. He uses the name Gangleri to hide his true identity and try to complete this daunting task. King Gylfi was the first king of Scandinavia and was known for using the name Gangleri when trying to hide his identity on many occasions.
According to the story, King Gylfi believes he will be able to sneak into Asgard without anyone knowing who he is, but the gods foresaw his arrival and made the kingdom appear even larger than it actually was. This is partly why he focuses so much on Valhalla. The prose that records this adventure contains much of the information used to describe Valhalla today.
When Gylfi enters Asgard, he sees a hall so large that he cannot see over the top. This hall has a ceiling covered with golden shields instead of tiles and men performing seemingly impossible feats. As he approaches, he sees a man juggling seven different short swords at the same time. The man explains that the king who rules the hall is inside and offers to give Gylfi a tour.
As they walk, he sees the impressive size of the building, the men playing and fighting each other, and the many tables where more men gather to drink together. Finally, they reach the throne room and he encounters three men sitting on thrones.
Gylfi finally learns that High is the king of the hall and that the hall is filled with the spirits of warriors who have fallen in battle. It is also revealed that Odin is responsible for the hall and for selecting the warriors who inhabit it.
We also learn that although there are many warriors, their needs for food and drink are always met thanks to the animals that live in the hall. One of the last things to be discovered is the daily routine of the einherjar and the unfortunate death of the god Baldr.
Hrungnir fights Thor
There is also a tale of a jötunn named Hrungnir. In Norse mythology, a jötunn is an entity that is not human but is something more than a god. He pursues Odin with anger and ends up following him to Valhalla. The gods invite him to drink with them, and he accepts. Soon, however, he becomes drunk and begins to boast of his intentions to take Valhalla back to the land of the jötunn. The gods are quickly angered by this and call Thor to deal with Hrungnir.
Thor arrives and challenges Hrungnir to a fight, but Hrungnir realizes that Valhalla has the power to regenerate a warrior if the gods who rule there so desire. Therefore, he accepts the challenge, but insists that the fight must take place outside Valhalla, in Griotunagardar. The two travel to Griotunagardar and fight each other in a gruesome battle, and Hrungnir is finally killed by Thor.
The origin of the myth
As is the case with many mythical places in the afterlife, Valhalla was probably created as a comforting idea for what would happen to brave warriors who did not return from battle. Valhalla was a way for the Norse people to cope with their grief, knowing that their loved ones had died honorably and were in a better place.
