The valkyries Hildr, Þrúðr and Hlökk bearing ale in Valhalla (1895) by Lorenz Frølich
Valkyrie means chooser of the slain. They are misrepresented by modern writers as warrior women, but nowhere in the Eddas or Sagas are they portrayed as such. Valkyries are female figures who choose those who may die in battle and those who may live. They often hold two jobs at one time as well. Some are norns or even goddess such as Eir.
When the valkyries choose the slain warriors the goddess Freya (who is the queen of the valkyries) always gets the first pick and they are taken to her hall named Folkvangr. The ones that are left go to Valhalla and become einherjar. Part of the valkyries duties is to serve the einherjar mead after their long days of training to fight during Ragnarok.
Sometimes the Valkyries are seen as weavers themselves. They are described as weaving the fate of certain warriors or even predicting the outcome of certain battles.
In certain stories valkyries also appear as lovers and teachers to heroes and other mortals. Sigrid’s wife/Valkyrie follows him through his different reincarnations and teaches him what he needs to know to complete his trials.
In the Voluspa the volva lists six valkyries by name and they are Skuld (debt or obligation), Skogul (shaker), Gunnr (war), Hildr (battle), Gondul (wand-wielder) and Geirskogul (Spear).
In the Grimnismal, Odin (disguised as Grimnir) mentions other valkyries by name as well, Skeggjold (axe-age), Thrudr (power), Hlokk (battle), Herfjotur (host-fetter), Goll (tumult), Geirahod (spear-fight), Randgrid (shield-truce), Radgrid (council-truce) and Reginleif (power-truce).
There are many others listed by name as well in different stories, but I will leave them for the reader to find. I hope you found this post informative.
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