Einherjar were the fallen warriors claimed by the valkyries and taken to Valhalla. They appeared in the final episode of Twilight of the Gods to fight for Asgard.
Physiology[]
Not limited to humans, valkyries considered anyone who died in battle to join the einherjar in Valhalla. Their appearance in Valhalla remained unchanged, each einheri having the same body as the one in which they died, though, without their fatal wounds. Their strengths and skills remained intact. When sent out onto the battlefield to fight for Odin, they gave off a faint yellow glow. They could still be killed in battle, even after death, which could result in the valkyries returning to take them to Valhalla once more.
Einherjar didn't lose their sense of self while in Valhalla. This likely extended to the battlefield, as valkyries refused to take Vanir gods to join the ranks of the einherjar. Being enemies of Odin, it's possible they were rejected as they couldn't be forced to fight for him.
History[]
The einherjar join Sigrid's battle.
On the second day of battle between the Aesir and Vanir instigated by Sigrid and Loki Laufeyson, the einherjar descended into the battlefield aboard large longboats, which slammed into the ground and split open, releasing waves of warriors into the fray. While not as powerful as many of the other fighters, they made up for it with numbers. Ulfr and the First Wolves took them on, with Ulfr easily tearing through them in his wolf form.
After a long battle, Hervor prays to enter Valhalla.
After her three sons died in battle and went to Valhalla, Hervor sought to follow them and would happily join in battles for the chance to be taken by the valkyries. Though her cursed sword prevented her from joining them and becoming an einheri, Hel believed she'd find peace in Hel. Instead, Sigrid was later taken by a valkyrie to join the einherjar in Valhalla.[1]
Members[]
Norse origins[]
The einherjar of Norse mythology closely mirror what's presented in Twilight of the Gods. Half of the warriors who fall in battle are taken by the valkyries to Valhalla to become einherjar, while half instead go to Freyja's fields of Fólkvangr. The warriors sent to Valhalla would battle for sport during the day, then eat and drink mead at night. They would wait for the day that they'd be called upon by Odin to fight for him in the battle of Ragnarök, where they could fight endlessly, as every time they died, they would return to Valhalla, from which they could return to the battlefield. It's said that valkyries choose who will become an einheri from among the ranks of warriors during their battles, then manipulate events to choose who lives and dies, which is something Leif says about seeing a valkyrie for the first time.
References[]
- ↑ Eric Carrasco (writer) & Zack Snyder (director). September 19, 2024. Twilight of the Gods episode 8, "Song of Sigrid."