Valhalla etymology

Etymology:

"Valhalla" is derived from two Old Norse words:

  • "Valr": meaning "the slain" or "the chosen ones"
  • "Höll": meaning "hall"

Meaning:

Valhalla is a mythical hall in Norse mythology where brave warriors who die in battle are taken by Valkyries. It is a place of honor and glory, where they feast, fight, and prepare for the final battle of Ragnarök.

Origin:

The concept of Valhalla emerged in ancient Germanic mythology, possibly as early as the Bronze Age. Over time, it evolved into the elaborate depiction found in the Viking Age sagas and poems.

Characteristics of Valhalla:

  • Great Hall: Valhalla is described as a vast, magnificent hall with 540 doors, allowing eight hundred warriors to enter abreast.
  • Golden Roof: The hall is said to have a roof made of gold, which shines brightly on sunny days.
  • Feasting and Fighting: Warriors in Valhalla feast on roast boar and drink mead from horns. They also engage in mock battles to hone their skills.
  • Einherjar: The warriors chosen for Valhalla are known as Einherjar, meaning "those who fight alone." They are led by Odin, the chief god of the Norse pantheon.
  • Preparation for Ragnarök: The Einherjar in Valhalla prepare for Ragnarök, the prophesied battle that will end the world. They train, feast, and await the call to arms.

Significance in Norse Mythology:

Valhalla plays a central role in Norse mythology, representing the ultimate destination for valiant warriors. It embodies the Viking warrior culture's emphasis on honor, bravery, and loyalty. The belief in Valhalla provided warriors with a sense of purpose and a hope for an afterlife in which their sacrifices would be rewarded.

Valhalla relate terms

  • Valkyrie

    Etymology The word valkyrie is derived from the Old Norse word valkyrja which is a c

  • Valhalla

    Etymology Valhalla is derived from two Old Norse words Valr meaning the slain

  • vulnerable

    Etymology Latin vulnerabilis able to be wounded Vulnus wound Meaning Suscep

  • svelte

    Etymology Late Latin sveltus meaning graceful slender Old Norse sverta meaning to

  • Valhalla

    Etymology Valhalla is derived from two Old Norse words Valr meaning the slain

  • Anselm

    Etymology and Meaning Anselm is a Germanic name derived from two Old High German elements

  • apocalypse

    Etymology The word apocalypse derives from the Greek word apokálypsis which means

  • Brussels

    Etymology The name Brussels in Dutch Brussel in French Bruxelles most likely comes

  • caliology

    Etymology Caliology noun is derived from the Greek words kallos κάλλος me

  • Calypso

    Etymology Derived from Greek Καλυψώ Kalypsō Conceal or veiling Meaning

  • calyx

    Etymology and Meaning Latin calyx flower cup Origin The word calyx is derived

  • ceiling

    Etymology The word ceiling originates from the Old French word ciel which in turn co

  • cell

    Etymology The word cell derives from the Latin word cella meaning small room or c

  • cellar

    The term cellar comes from the Latin word cellarium meaning storeroom or storehous

  • cellular

    Etymology The word cellular comes from the Latin word cella which means small room

  • cellulite

    Etymology and Origin The word cellulite is derived from the Latin cellula meaning

  • cellulitis

    Etymology Late Latin cellulitis from Greek kyllutis inflammation of a muscle from kyll

  • cilia

    Etymology The word cilia is derived from the Latin word cilium which means eyelash

  • clandestine

    Etymology of Clandestine From Latin clandestinus meaning hidden or secret Deri

  • cojones

    Etymology The word cojones is derived from the Spanish word cojones meaning testicl

  • Coleoptera

  • color

    Color Etymology Color Etymology Origin Black Old English blæc

  • conceal

    Etymology Middle English conselen Old French consceler Latin con together ce

  • eucalyptus

    Etymology and Origin The word eucalyptus comes from the Greek words eu εὖ m

  • hall

    Etymology The word hall originates from the Old English word heall or heal which

  • hell

    Etymology The word hell originates from the Proto Germanic word halja meaning a hidde

  • helm

    Etymology Old English helm Proto West Germanic hilmaz Proto Germanic helmaz Proto I

  • helmet

    Etymology The word helmet is derived from the Old French word heaume modern French

  • hold

    Etymology Old English healdan Proto West Germanic haldan Proto Germanic haldaną P

  • hole

    Etymology The word hole comes from the Middle English hol which is derived from the

  • hollow

    Etymology Old English holh meaning hole hollow cavity Proto Germanic hulaz pr

  • holster

    Etymology The word holster comes from the Middle High German word holster meaning h

  • housing

    Etymology of Housing The word housing is derived from the Old Norse word hus meaning

  • hull

    Etymology The word hull comes from the Middle English word hulle which in turn come

  • kleptomania

    Etymology Derived from the Greek words kleptes thief and mania madness Meanin

  • occult

    Etymology The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus which means hidden

  • rathskeller

    Etymology The word rathskeller is derived from two German words Rat Town council o

  • supercilious

    Etymology Super above Latin Cilium eyelash Latin Meaning haughty or arro

  • Valhalla

    Etymology Valhalla is derived from two Old Norse words Valr meaning the slain

  • William

    Etymology and Meaning The name William is derived from the Old High German word Wilhelm

  • heaven

    Etymology The English word heaven originates from the Old English word heofon which

  • desultory

    Etymology The word desultory originates from the Latin word desultor which means v

  • method

    Etymology The word method comes from the Greek word methodos which means way to a g

  • heyday

    Etymology Middle English heieday from Anglo Saxon hīedæg feast day Hīe high

  • asphyxia

    Etymology Greek a without sphyxis heartbeat pulse Meaning and Origin A

  • play

    Etymology The word play derives from the Middle English plaien which itself originat

  • disorder

    Etymology Middle English disordre Old French dësorde Latin disordo from dis apar

  • serve

    Etymology From Middle English serven from Old French servir from Latin servīre to

  • resolve

    Etymology Latin resolvere meaning to loosen untie dissolve Meaning To separa

  • addict

    Etymology The word addict is derived from the Latin word addicere which means to a