Valhalla in Norse mythology, represents the paradise of fallen warriors. The
word comes from the old Nordic language Valholl, and means "hall of the slain."
The Vikings held councils and parties in such large halls with large tables full
of food and mead, an old drink made from the fermentation of honey with water.
Valhalla is a hall like that, full of gold, that belongs to Odin,
the supreme god in Norse mythology. Over time the Viking paradise was
confused with Valhalla, but the afterlife in Norse mythology is much more complicated.
The land of the gods is called Asgard, and here there are several halls and palaces.
Each god has such a hall-palace. Depending on the way you died and the place you occupied in Viking
society, you would end up in such a place. The warriors who had fought with bravery and
died on the battlefield with a sword in their hands reached Odin's Hall. They were chosen
by Odin and led here by the Valkyries, virgin warriors on white-winged horses.
Only half of the warriors killed on the battlefield reached Odin in Valhalla.
The other half reached the goddess Freya, on the Folkvangr field.
The warriors of Valhalla were known as Einherjar, and did nothing but feast and get drunk,
fighting among themselves, until the arrival of the Ragnarok when they were summoned by Odin.
This myth appears very often in Germanic and Viking heroic legends.
In front of this hall stands "Glasir", a majestic tree described in Norse Mythology
as "the most beautiful among gods and men". Around this tree live strange creatures,
such as "Eikthyrnir", a deer that eat it’s roots, and from its horns flows a liquid in
the magical spring "Hvergelmir", the source of the birth of all the rivers around the world.
Also here can be found the Heidrun goat that eats the leaves of the magic tree
and produces mead for warriors. Even Odin himself tells us in the
poetic Edda what Valhalla looks like. He is talking about a huge, bright, and gilded hall.
From here, Odin chooses every day the fallen warriors worthy of this privilege.
Valhalla has walls covered with spear shelves, and ceilings covered with gold shields. On its benches
are chain armors, and in front of Valhalla stands a wolf, and an eagle who flies over the entrance.
Odin's house is in Asgard. And before entering Valhalla you have to go through
the holy doors of the great gate of Valgrind. Valhalla has 540 doors, through which 800 warriors
can go out at the same time. On these doors will come out the warriors to fight Fenrir,
the great wolf, when Ragnarok, the apocalypse in Norse mythology, will arrive.
Also in Valhalla, we find Thor's hall, called Bilskirnir.
This hall has 540 rooms, and Odin tells us that this is the largest hall in Valhalla.
So from here we understand that Valhalla is not only a hall, but an entire area of Asgard,
the land of the gods. We have accounts from other Viking legends about this place.
Some say that the last warriors to arrive here have to do jobs like fetch water for
other senior warriors, to take care of dogs or horses, maintain the fire, or feed the pigs.
So, even here there is a hierarchy. Probably depending on the merits and
prestige on the battlefield and in the life of the fallen warrior.
The Vikings really believed in these places. And from their legends, we understand that
these places were real for them and you could get there if you obey certain commandments.
Thus, we have the legend of King Gylfi, who decides to go to Asgard disguised as an old man.
He wanted to know the source of the gods' power. But the wise gods knew of his arrival
and prepared a series of illusions for him.
When he reached the Valhalla fortress, the ceiling seemed untouchable.
Here, the king saw a lot of warriors who were drinking or playing different games;
and others were fighting. The king sees three thrones, and on them sit the rulers of the gods.
The king is told that the fallen warriors become Odin's adopted sons.
The Valkyries serve mead at the warriors' tables. They are also sent to the battlefield after
those chosen by Odin. Some believed that the Valkyries would become wives of these warriors.
The king wonders how so many people can live in the same place;
practically all the warriors from the beginning of time.
But it is explained to him that there are only half of them,
and they will still not be enough against the wolf Fenrir.
The king wonders what Odin feeds them and is shown the wild boar Sæhrímnir,
prepared in a magic cauldron, which is eaten every night by gods and warriors.
One of the last explanations received by the king is that in addition to the fact
that all the warriors who arrive in Valhalla have something to eat, they also have a place to sleep.
He is told that Valhalla is so big that he still has free
rooms for all the warriors that are still alive.
This was the story of the mythical place of Valhalla.
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