What is valkyrie meaning?

In Norse mythology, valkyries are female spirits who choose fallen warriors to bring them to the afterlife in Valhalla, which is ruled by the god Odin. The term "valkyrie" comes from the Old Norse word "valkyrja," which means "chooser of the slain." These female figures were believed to fly over battlefields, selecting those warriors deemed worthy of an eternal afterlife in Valhalla. According to legend, the number of chosen warriors would equal the number of seats in the hall of Valhalla.

Valkyries were often depicted as powerful and fierce warriors, sometimes carrying weapons or wearing armor. They were believed to be able to shape-shift into different forms and had supernatural abilities like healing and resurrecting. In addition to being associated with war and battle, valkyries were also sometimes connected with fate and prophecy.

In popular culture, valkyries are often portrayed in various forms, from heroic characters in video games and movies, to romanticized or sexualized portrayals in art and media. However, their fundamental role as mythological beings who determine the fate of warriors remains a significant aspect of their meaning.