Valhalla

Valhalla is a prominent hall in Norse mythology, regarded as the dwelling of the god Odin and the afterlife space for fallen warriors. The name comes from Old Norse Valhöll, meaning the hall of the slain (valr being the slain, höll meaning hall). Mythical accounts place Valhalla in Asgard, the realm of the Aesir gods, where it is tended by the Valkyries, female figures who select worthy dead from battles and escort them to Odin’s hall.

In Valhalla, the chosen warriors, known as the einherjar, spend their days fighting and their nights feasting. This cycle of combat by day and revelry by night serves a larger purpose: the slain prepare for Ragnarök, the prophesied apocalypse, where they will fight alongside the gods. Valhalla is described as a vast, splendid hall with many doors, and, according to the Prose Edda, it has 540 doors through which many battle survivors can pass at once.

The hall appears in several medieval and later sources that shape its character—most notably the Prose Edda, where Odin’s sovereignty over the hall and its inhabitants is emphasized. Over time, Valhalla has come to symbolize heroic afterlife and martial valor, influencing literature, art, and popular culture.

In modern times, Valhalla features prominently in games, films, and various works inspired by Norse mythology. Notably, the video game Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020) uses the concept as a central thematic and narrative element, though adaptations often modify details to suit contemporary storytelling. Valhalla remains a enduring emblem of honor, warriors, and the mythic memory of Norse cultural heritage.