Fólkvangr

Fólkvangr is a location in Norse mythology described as the field or meadow associated with the goddess Freyja. The name derives from Old Norse folkvangr, literally meaning "field of the folk/people" or "field of the hosts." In the primary sources, Fólkvangr is the realm where Freyja receives those who die in battle, with her hall Sessrúmnir situated there.

According to Snorri Sturluson’s Prose Edda, in the section Gylfaginning, Freyja chooses half of those who die in combat to dwell with her in Sessrúmnir, while the other half go to Odin and his hall Valhalla. The division is presented as a parallel to Valhalla, rather than a single afterlife destination; the two halls together receive the fallen warriors.

Older and literary sources occasionally reference Fólkvangr without detailing the distribution of the slain, and some ambiguity remains about its exact location or character. The field is generally described as a place suitable for the honored dead, with Freyja as its mistress, a goddess associated with love, beauty, and war.

In modern times, Fólkvangr is often cited in discussions of Norse afterlife concepts and has appeared in contemporary fantasy works. See also Valhalla, Sessrúmnir, Odin, Freyja, Norse mythology.