Valkyries

Ok, valkyries, for those who are not familiar: norse mythological figures, winged females that would fly overhead during battle and choose who were the worthy warriors in battle, and who would bring the worthy slain to Valhalla. Anyone associate themselves with them?

I've never heard that they had wings before, other than on their helmets as depicted in cartoons. Where'd you learn that they had wings, like 'angels'?

Hai...
Miniar here, resident norse/teutonic-heathenry expert and reconstructionist norse/teutonic heathen.
I too would like to know wherefrom you draw the "winged" part?

The extent of my research comes from online sources, many images on wikipedia had them winged, I assumed they were. My apologies if this is false.

There's little reference to valkyrjur having wings, only reference to individual godforms who serve as valkyrja to have the ability to change into birds.
While there's some good info in online sources, there's no source as good as the old texts, so... if you need any info about 'em, feel free to ask.

One additional note. Might not necessarily translate to wings, but, perhaps open to interpretation. But maybe not, I'm not an expert, I was just browsing through some norse mythology and remembered way back when I made this post <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" title="Razz" /><!-- s -->

"They were sometimes called "Swan-maiden", because they wore garments made of swan feathers that allowed them to fly, carrying off the slain warriors to the hall called Valhalla." <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.timelessmyths.com/norse/valkyries.html">http://www.timelessmyths.com/norse/valkyries.html</a><!-- m -->

Alright, going through that website, I can point out a couple things incorrect in it...

Quote:Their name means, "Chooser of the Slain"

Kyrja means to sing or chant. The literal translation of "Valkyrja" is "death-song".

Quote:Their main duty was to select the slain warriors, who had fallen in battle or other combat, such as quest or killing dragon, etc

This is "one" of their main functions. They also ride into battle spurring it on, singing the glory of battle. They are the anthropomorphic embodiment of the spirit of the fight, of the will to survive the battle, of the drive to conquest, etc.

Quote:The Einherjar waited for Ragnarok, in Odin's hall, called Valhalla.

Except those chosen by Freyja, the goddess of love, fertility and battle, and leader of the Valkyrja, who she brought to her halls Fólkvangr. She takes half.

Quote:They were sometimes called "Swan-maiden", because they wore garments made of swan feathers that allowed them to fly

This is true but it's missing a part of the information. They'd don the garment, turn into swans, and then fly. (Usually considered a cloak, matching Freyja's cloak of falcon feathers.)
Also, I'd like to point out that "Ability to fly" does not mean "Has wings".

Quote:Brynhild was the most famous of all the Valkyries.

Actually, that'd be Freyja... technically speaking.

I'm not gonna go into the singular stories because I don't have my books on hand (since I'm off on vacation) but this quick bit there should be enough to explain why I tend to doubt any source not in old norse or simplified old norse. There's a lot of little things that get lost or skewed in translation.

The depiction of Valkyrja as "women with wings" are a modern touch.

The Valkyrja are apparently even more badass than I originally thought....not liking the bird thing though, maybe I could be a Dragon instead?

*Goes off to ask Lady Freyja for an Application slip*

Thanks for the clarification.

No problem.

I quite enjoy discussing the Norse myths and I thoroughly enjoy it when I have a chance to correct misconceptions if possible, and let's face it, when it comes to old faiths in non-english languages, misconceptions are far too common. :/