Valhalla

:For other uses see Valhalla (disambiguation).

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In Norse mythology, Valhalla (Old Norse Valhöll, "Hall of the slain") is Odin's hall, the home for those slain gloriously in battle, who are welcomed by Bragi and escorted to Valhalla by the valkyries. It has five-hundred forty doors, walls made of spears, a roof made of shields and benches covered with breastplates. It is said that there is room enough for all those chosen. Here, every day, the slain warriors who will assist Odin in Ragnarok, the gods' final conflict with the giants, arm themselves for battle, and ride forth by the thousands to engage in mock combat on the plains of Asgard. At night they return to Valhalla to feast on roasted boar and drink intoxicating mead. Those who do not get to Valhalla end up in the home of the dead (Hel), a place beneath the underworld (Niflheim), or one of various other places. Those who are lost at sea, for example, are taken to Ægir's hall at the bottom of the sea.

Related Topics:
Norse mythology - Old Norse - Odin - Bragi - Valkyrie - Ragnarok - Asgard - Mead - Hel - Niflheim - Ægir

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In addition to the valkyries and the Einherjar a rooster named Gullinkambi lives there.

Related Topics:
Valkyrie - Einherjar - Gullinkambi

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In Beowulf it is called the shining citadel.

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Valhalla is 19th century English mistranslation of the singular Valhöll into a genetival plural form. A more literally correct English translation is Valhall, but Valhalla is by far the more common form in general use.

Related Topics:
19th century - English - Mistranslation

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