valkyrie

Odin's battle maiden

A valkyrie is a female figure from Norse mythology who chooses which warriors die in battle and carries the worthy to Valhalla.

The word literally means "chooser of the slain." In modern use, valkyrie often describes a fierce, formidable woman, especially one associated with battle or determination: She swept through the office like a valkyrie on a mission.

The image appears frequently in fantasy games, heavy metal iconography, and opera—Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" being the most famous example. (Capitalized Valkyrie may be a proper name or title.)

archetype

Amazon

Greek warrior women

noble · regal · majestic · imposing · exalted · divine · supernatural · mythic · legendary · iconic

warrior

shieldmaiden

Female Norse combatant

spear · armor · helmet · berserker · Viking · warband · raid · skirmish · melee · axe

mythology

Valhalla

Hall for fallen warriors

  • OdinChief Norse deity
  • AsgardNorse divine realm
  • NorseAncient Scandinavian civilization

Freya · Norns · Ragnarok · Bifrost · Midgard · Fenrir · saga · rune · seer · prophecy

psychopomp

death

Cessation of life

  • soulInnermost animating essence
  • afterlifeExistence beyond mortality
  • escortOne who accompanies another

guide · fallen · ascension · beyond · deceased · spirits · passage · otherworld · ferryman · transition

opera

Wagner

German Romantic opera composer

libretto · leitmotif · Siegfried · orchestra · score · overture · diva · heroic · tragedy · Germanic

Categories
Opposites
mythological role/function

valkyriedemon

Malevolent supernatural being

damned soul · hell-hound · fury · Erinyes · harpy

mortality/divine status

valkyriemortal

Subject to death

fallen warrior · Viking · berserker · cannon fodder · shield-maiden

mortality and divine status

valkyriemortal

Subject to death

fallen soldier · foot soldier · peasant

Family

valkyries

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated PG