Name: Valkyries
Appearance: Female warriors, often depicted in chainmail, with feather or wing symbolism
History: Norse mythology
There are also traces of similar concepts in nearby cultures like Germanic peoples, Celts, and Anglo-Saxons
Info: Valkyrie are female warriors that served the norse god Odin. In modern depictions, the focus is often on their role of going to the battlefield to choose the warriors that will be taken to Valhalla to train for Ragnarok. In other words, they are often shown in a more positive light. Even in the story I wrote, I heavily leaned on the more positive depictions of them for inspiration. Honestly, I took a lot of creative license in my storytelling and the original concepts of Valkyries are used very lightly.
However, it is important to note that in traditional mythology there was also a darker side to the valkyrie, they were seen in some ways like the Fates, also deciding those warriors who were to die on the battlefield. They are depicted riding horses or sometimes flying and they can be brutal, vicious deciders of who dies.
In some stories, they are equated with swans and they can either transform into them or wear swan feathers.
Additional Notes: The origin of the valkyrie has been suggested to be based on viking women who wore chainmail and fought in battle. There is significant historical evidence showing that viking women were allowed to be warriors, and some were even commanders. It is possible that these fierce women were seen in a terrifying light for men who hadn't seen women fight in battle previously.
There is also the suggestion that they were passed on Odin priestesses that were in charge of sacrificial rituals for Odin. Thus, the ties to Odin and the choosing of who lives and dies tied to Valkyrie.
Credit and Additional Reading: If you found the above interesting and want to read more, check out some of my sources:
Keep an eye out for the short story I wrote that has Valkyries - Rise Together! Links below.
Happy Adventuring,
G.G. Marshall
Read a short story with valkyrie and spirit animals:
Part 1 (Available: Thurs 3/20/25): https://www.ggmarshall.com/post/rise-together-part-1
Part 2 (Available: Thurs 4/17/25): https://www.ggmarshall.com/post/rise-together-part-2
Part 3 (Available: Thurs 5/15/25): https://www.ggmarshall.com/post/rise-together-part-3
Part 4 (Available: Thurs 6/19/25): https://www.ggmarshall.com/post/rise-together-part-4
Want to learn more about spirit animals that appear in the short story?
Spirit Animals (Available: Thurs 02/20/25): https://www.ggmarshall.com/post/spirit-animal-profile
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