Valhalla

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In this illustration from a 17th century Icelandic manuscript, Heimdall is shown guarding the gate of Valhalla.

Valhalla (Old Norse Valhöll, "Hall of the slain") is Odin's hall in Norse mythology, located in Gladsheim and is the home for those slain gloriously in battle (known as Einherjar) who are welcomed by Bragi and escorted to Valhalla by the valkyries. The main gate is called Valgrind, which is described in Grímnismál as a "sacred gate", behind which are the "holy doors" and "there are few who can tell the manner by which it is locked". The hall itself has 540 doors, so wide that 800 warriors could walk through side-by-side, 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. Here, every day, the slain warriors who will assist Odin in Ragnarök, 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 drink. Those who do not get to Valhalla go to the home of the dead, (Hel), a place beneath the underworld (Niflheim), or one of various other places. Those who are lost at sea, for example, are taken to Ægir's hall at the bottom of the sea.

In addition to the valkyries and the Einherjar, a rooster named Gullinkambi lives there.

In Beowulf, it is called the shining citadel.

[edit] Modern Etymology

Valhalla is a 19th century English mistranslation of the singular Valhöll into a genitival plural form. A more literally correct English translation is Val-hall, but Valhalla is by far the most common form in general use.

[edit] Walhalla Temple

In the early 19th century, King Ludwig I of Bavaria ordered the construction of the Walhalla Temple, a place of honor for historically notable Germanic figures inspired by Valhalla, near Regensburg, Germany.

[edit] Popular Culture

Main article: Valhalla in popular culture

References to Valhalla appear irregularly in modern popular culture.