In Norse mythology, Valkyries select warriors slain in battle for Odin’s halls.
The Valkyries are supernatural female figures who serve Odin and decide which battlefield dead are worthy of a place in Valhalla. Their name comes from Old Norse valkyrja, commonly interpreted as “chooser of the slain.” In poetic descriptions, they also bring drink to the warriors in Odin’s hall.
The surviving myths do not present every Valkyrie in exactly the same way. Some poems portray them as independent supernatural beings, while later stories give individual Valkyries personal names and human-like roles. Their battlefield choice is also connected with Freyja, who receives another portion of the slain in Fólkvangr.
Valkyries are often confused with the Norns. The Norns shape or govern destiny, whereas Valkyries are specifically associated with battle deaths and the distribution of chosen warriors. Their function helps explain why Valhalla is a warrior afterlife rather than a destination for all the dead.