Brynhildr

Norse warrior woman

Brynhildr is a valkyrie in Norse mythology, a warrior maiden who defies Odin and is punished by being put into an enchanted sleep, surrounded by a ring of fire.

The hero Sigurd awakens her, and their tragic love story—involving betrayal, magical memory loss, and violent death—forms a centerpiece of the Völsunga saga and related Germanic legends.

The name means "armored battle" in Old Norse.

Also spelled Brünnhilde, especially in Wagner's operatic treatment.

mythology

Valkyrie

Odin's death-selecting maiden

Sigurd · Siegfried · curse · enchantment · Gunnar · pyre · Valhalla · slumber · betrothal · vengeance

opera

Wagner

German Romantic opera composer

soprano · leitmotif · spear · Rhinegold · libretto

literature

saga

Extended heroic narrative

  • epicImpressively grand in scope
  • heroineBrave female protagonist
  • tragedyDisastrous or sorrowful event

medieval · Germanic · legend · manuscript · kenning · alliterative · stanza · interpolation · redaction

archetype

fierce

Violently intense or aggressive

  • proudSatisfied by accomplishment
  • defiantOpenly resisting control
  • nobleTitled or virtuous

doomed · vengeful · powerful · cursed · awakened · oath-bound · honor · strength · independence · fatalism

Categories
Opposites
mortality/divinity

Brynhildrpeasant girl

Young rural female commoner

warrior status

BrynhildrNanna

Crescent deity of Sumer

pacifist · weaver · spinster · peacemaker · homemaker

mythological alignment

BrynhildrFreyja

Norse love goddess

life-giver · healer · fertility goddess · midwife · protective spirit

Family

Hilda

Familiarity
Top 2,000,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated PG