Valkyries Walhalla (Viking Valhalla) Playing Cards by Noir Arts Ukraine

Description

Walhalla is the German form of Old Norse Valh?ll, which is commonly anglicized as Valhalla. In Norse mythology, Valhalla is an enormous and majestic hall in Asgard, presided over by Odin.

Described as a “warrior’s paradise”, it is here that the souls of those who are slain in battle go, chosen and guided by the Valkyries, a group of warrior maidens in service to Odin.

Valkyries choose those who may die in battle and those who may live. Selecting among half of those who die in battle, the valkyries take their chosen to the afterlife hall of the slain, Valhalla, ruled over by the god Odin. There, the deceased warriors become einherjar (Old Norse “single fighters”). When the einherjar are not preparing for the events of Ragnar?k, the valkyries bear them mead. 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.