The oldest Valkyrie is likely Brunhilde, also known as Brynhild and Brünnhilde. She is a character in Norse mythology, appearing in works such as the Völsunga saga. She is described as a shield maiden and a valkyrie, that is a female helping spirit who helps the fallen at war.
She often accompanies Odin and was sometimes said to be his lover. According to Heimskringla, an Icelandic chronicle, she was the daughter of Sigurd and Gudrun and was born around the 5th century. She is known to have connections with many great figures from the Norse pantheon, including Odin, Thor, and Freya.
Later she was characterized as one of the greatest and most beloved heroines in Germanic literature and became the favorite of all the gods. Over time, the Elsa of teh Nibelungenlied, the Tamil heroine Avarice, the Japanese legendary princess Tomoin, and the Spanish warrior princess, Yasinima were all partially based on Brunhilde.
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Are there 13 Valkyries?
No, there are not 13 Valkyries. In Norse mythology, the Valkyries are a group of female figures who have the power to decide who lives and dies in battle. They are also sometimes referred to as “choosers of the slain”, as they are said to fly above the battlefield and choose which warriors will be taken to Valhalla, the warrior afterlife.
Valkyries are typically described in singular terms, with “one Valkyrie” being the most common phrase. While there is some confusion about the exact number of Valkyries, many sources refer to them as an “elite group”, so the exact number may be unknowable.
Is Valkyrie a Greek god?
No, Valkyrie is not a Greek god. Valkyrie is a figure in Norse mythology, associated with the Asgardian gods of the Norse pantheon. In myth, a Valkyrie was one of a group of female figures who determined who would live and die in battle, bringing the slain warriors to Valhalla to await the final battle at the end of the world.
Valkyrie are typically depicted as beautiful, ethereal creatures dressed in shining armor, often with wings.
How long do Valkyries live?
Valkyries, like most mythological creatures, do not have a set lifespan as each one is a unique being that can live for an undetermined amount of time. In some instances, a Valkyrie is said to live as long as her power and strength remain; however, it is generally believed that the majority of Valkyries exist for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Vikings and other cultures believed in the existence of Valkyries, and so they wrote stories featuring these female warriors that often showed them possessing superhuman strength and power. To keep these stories relevant, it is believed that Valkyries exist in a timeless presence unaffected by the passage of time, allowing them to live eternally in Norse mythology.
The only instance of death that has been tied to Valkyries is in Norse legends of legendary combat, where a Valkyrie could pass away upon the death of their chosen champion. This makes it seem like Valkyries have a finite life, but this is usually in the context of the stories and not necessarily based on any factual proof of their lifespan.
Overall, Valkyries do not have a set lifespan as they exist in a timeless state to remain relevant in mythology. Some instances have unveiled a finite lifespan for these mythological creatures in certain contexts, but the majority of Valkyries are thought to live for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Are Valkyries immortal?
No, Valkyries are not immortal. The Valkyries in Norse Mythology, known as the Choosers of the Slain, were deities who chose which warriors would die in a battle and then decide if those warriors would go to Valhalla.
They are a divine, female force that was associated with Odin who had immense power and authority in determining the fate of warriors who died in battle. However, although they had significant power and spiritual authority, they were not immortal.
The Valkyries were subject to the same laws of mortality as other Norse goddesses and gods. They were powerful and mystical but still vulnerable to death and destruction.
How many lives does a Valkyrie have?
Valkyries do not have literal lives, as they are not physical beings. In Norse mythology, a Valkyrie is a spirit-like creature who chooses which warriors will die in battle and subsequently take them to Valhalla, the great hall of the slain.
In this sense, Valkyries may “give” a warrior life in the afterlife, but they do not possess literal lives themselves.
What is a male Valkyrie called?
A male Valkyrie is often referred to as a Valkyrja or Valkyr. Historically speaking, these were female figures in Norse mythology who chose who lived and died on the battlefield and served as an inspiration and support for warriors, guiding them through their journey.
Today, although the term Valkyrie is rarely used for an actual person, it is generally used to describe a powerful and formidable individual who stands up for their beliefs and defends those closest to them.
With the increased popularity of fantasy and science fiction, the Valkyrie has become a more gender-neutral figure, with both men and women taking on the title.
Why are all Valkyries girls?
The concept of Valkyries is derived from Norse mythology, and the original Valkyries were female figures. According to mythology, the Valkyries were female figures from Asgard who chose who would live and who would die in the battlefield.
They would fly down from the sky on their horses and deliver their judgments, either granting victory or death to the warriors. As messengers of fate, their power was believed to be absolute and their decisions were said to be irrevocable.
Though there is some controversy over this idea, many scholars suggest that the early Norse societies were matriarchal, so it makes sense that the Valkyries would be female—it was part of a larger mythological system that had strong cultural meaning attached to it.
Moreover, Nordic literature contained references to the Valkyries being female figures so it is likely this was established early on in the myth’s evolution.
In addition to this mythological basis, there may also be practical explanations to why Valkyrie figures are almost always female. In war, male soldiers often have access to masculine forms of power, like weaponry and strength.
So a Valkyrie figure is a representation of a powerful female figure, who offers a balance to the violence of the battlefield by bestowing mercy to those in need. By having a female Valkyrie, it can emphasize the idea that power isn’t just physical, but moral and spiritual, too.
Ultimately, having a Valkyrie as a female figure can be seen as an empowering icon and adds an important narrative to the mythology.
How much older is Valkyrie than Thor?
Valkyrie is approximately 1,500 years older than Thor. She is an Asgardian warrior and an elite member of Odin’s elite corps who was alive during the height of the Asgardian civilization 1,500 years ago while Thor was born in recent years.
She is also immortal, meaning she has lived for thousands of years. Valkyrie is linked to Odin through a previous life and it is revealed in the comics that Valkyrie has a strong bond with Odin as his adopted daughter, hence her longevity.
How many Valkyrie exist?
At present, it is unknown how many Valkyries exist. In Norse mythology, Valkyries are female figures associated with the god Odin and are known as choosers of the slain. They are frequently depicted as helmeted and armed warriors who accompany Odin on his journeys, bringing dead warriors to Valhalla, the realm of the gods, where they become einherjar (“chosen ones”).
Valkyries were also believed to be psychopomps, guiding newly-arrived souls to the afterlife.
Valkyries are thought to vary in numbers, depending on the stories in which they appear. In some accounts, there are said to be as few as five Valkyries who serve as Odin’s secret police, while others portray them as a larger force, with Odin having many hundreds of Valkyries working for him.
Additionally, it is believed that some Valkyries have the ability to shapeshift into swans or other forms of birds, and thus can have seemingly infinite forms.
In modern storytelling and culture, Valkyries are often depicted in a variety of forms, from cheery and helpful beings to cold and ruthless warriors. In some modern works, the Valkyries can be found in the form of a motorcycle club, a team of fierce elite warrior women, and even a group of angels.
The stories, movies, and artwork essentially depend on the imagination of the creator, and so there is no single answer to how many Valkyries exist.
How many Valkyries are there in Greek mythology?
In Greek mythology, there is no exact answer to how many Valkyries there were. Generally, nine Valkyries are named as the attendants of Odin, who was the chief god in Norse mythology. The nine Valkyries are Göndul, Skögul, Geirahöð, Kloth, Hrist, Mist, Skeggöld, Skogul and Hildr.
However, some other sources cite more Valkyries, such as Else, Thrud, Herfjötur and Hlökk. Also, it is thought that the names of these Valkyries were actually poetic titles meaning great or powerful due to their positions as Odin’s battle maidens.
So, the number of Valkyries in Greek mythology is not well known, with anywhere from nine to twelve being the generally accepted number.
Is there a black Valkyrie?
No, there is not a black Valkyrie. In Norse Mythology, Valkyries are warriors of the god Odin who are charged with choosing the slain warriors to bring to Valhalla. They are typically depicted as beautiful, female figures riding on horses and wearing armor and helmets.
These Valkyries are usually thought of as being blonde-haired, blue-eyed angelic figures, but they have also been depicted with more plain features, tan skin, and red hair. Valkyries are often associated with the golden-winged figure of the Norns, who decide the fate of mortals.
While Norse mythology often presents characters in a variety of skin colors, it’s likely that there is no definitive representation of a black Valkyrie.
