Valhalla
|
|
- For other uses see Valhalla (disambiguation).
In Nordic mythology, Valhalla ("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 and 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, and finding a place in there is much easier than entering. 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. It is also said that warriors tired of eating or battles for the moment may sit with Frigg and her maids, although in some cases Frigg's domain in Valhalla is considered separate from Valhalla. Those who do not get to Valhalla end up in the home of the dead (Helheim), a place beneath the underworld (Niflheim), or one of various other places. Those who are lost at sea, for example, are taken to Aegir's hall at the bottom of the sea.
In addition to the Valkyries, the Einherjar and a rooster named Gullinkambi live there.
In Beowulf it is called the shining citadel.
Template:NorseMythologyda:Valhalla (nordisk mytologi) de:Walhall fr:Walhalla he:ואלהלה nl:Walhalla no:Valhall pl:Walhalla pt:Valhala ro:Walhalla sv:Valhall zh:英靈殿