Valkyrie Gifts
| In Norse mythology, a valkyrie
is a female warrior.Valkyries also appear
as lovers of heroes and other mortals, where
they are sometimes described as the daughters
of royalty, sometimes accompanied by ravens,
and sometimes connected to swans or horses. |
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Valkyrie
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What are Valkyrie?
Valkyries are female warlike virgins,
who mounted upon horses and armed themselves
with helmets and spears. The valkyries'
purpose was to choose the most heroic
of those who had died in battle.
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Foreign Names
for Valkyrie
German: Walküre
Old English: Wælcyrge
Old Norse: Valkyrja
Scandanvian: Valkyrie
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Other Names: Walkyrie, Battle-maidens,
Shield-maidens, Swan-maidens, Wish-maidens,
Mead-maidens, Corpse Maidens, and Helm
Maidens,
History: Valkyries originated
in Norse mythology. Initially the Valkyries
were fierce creatures who took part in
battles and devoured bodies of the dead
on battlefields. They later emerged as
beautiful female warriors—clad in armor
on horseback. The valkyries rode over
battlefields selecting the bravest slain
warriors to enter Valhalla.
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Valkyrie
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Iconic Symbols: Valkyries were often
associated with female strength, fairness,
brightness, gold, as well as bloodshed. |
Did You Know?
Some Valkyries
caused warriors to die, while
others served as protectors, guarding
the lives of those most dear to
them.
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Meanings: Valkyries symbolize strength
in women. |
Did You Know?
The name valkyrie
means, "Chooser of the Slain".
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Myths in Culture:
Christianity: With the spread
of Christianity the idea of what a Valkyrie
was like changed more and more to a
Romantic description of a beautiful
woman.
Old Norse: Valkyries a ride
over battlefields to claim the bodies
of the brave warriors. After claiming
the slain warriors, the Valkyries would
wait on them, serving them food and
drink.
Scandanavian: Valkyries are
the beautiful maidens who serve the
God, Odin. The valkyries ride over battlefields
to claim the dead heroes and take them
to Valhalla.
Vikings: It was said, that if
you see a Valkyrie before battle “you
will die in that battle.” The Vikings
believed that when a brave warrior was
about to die in the midst of fighting,
he would suddenly see the figure of
a Valkyrie. Any maiden who becomes a
Valkyrie remains immortal and invulnerable
as long as they obey the Gods and remain
virginal.
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