Valhalla

In Norse Mythology, Valhalla (Norw. "Valhall") is the great feast hall of Asgard. It is where Odin reigns (but not his home, that is Lidskjalv). It is a combined throne room, warrior's hall and barracks.

Mortal men fallen in battle are picked up by Valkyries and brought to Valhalla. Every morning, these dead warriors put on their armor and go out in front of the hall. There, they have a battle - this is their sport. In the evening, the fallen ones arise and they return to the hall to eat and drink. The hog Særimner is slaughtered every day, its flesh being enough for everyone. The cook is Andrimner, and the pan is called Eldrimner. Heidrun the goat stands on Valhalla's roof, eating from Yggdrasil's leaves. Mead flows from her teats, enough to ensure all the warriors can become drunk every night.

There is an enormous amount of these warriors, of course. The hall has 540¹ doors, and 800¹ men can walk through each door at the same time.

Valhalla's roof is covered in golden shields. When the sun is shining brightly red, what you really see is its reflection in the roof of Valhalla.

Note 1: I have seen other numbers as well, but the main idea is: The hall is HUGE

Originating from an Old Norse and then Latin word meaning “Halls of the Slain,” versions of the word “Valhalla” have been incorporated into many different names in America and beyond. For the most part, people do not know what the word originally meant, and the repercussions of this are very interesting. Different names and uses for the word pop up across the world. One of the most interesting references that I have seen was in the popular video game Max Payne, as the name of a secret project (the “Valhalla Project”) that, in the game, produced the designer drug Valkyr. Beyond this game there are many other applications of this word in even our current world. As just a taste, here are some other interesting examples:


A MUD Engine, called Valhalla Mud, is a multiplayer game that probably fits the name in the most appropriate way of the different examples listed here.
Located at http://www.valhalla.com

In a less appropriate use, Valhalla is the name of a small townhome complex just outside of Whistler Village in British Columbia, Canada. A winter resort, this small complex was built as a secluded tourist town within reach of ski lifts and snow.
Information located at: http://www.vancouver-bc.com/Valhalla/index.html

The Valhalla Warriors Floorball Club is a group that advocates for a new sport called floorball.
Read about the club here: http://u1.netgate.net/~mette/lars/floorball/index.html

Last but not least, a microbrewery in Pittsburgh, PA, has adopted the name as well. They even have an interesting version of a Greek/Roman myth on their web page, located here: http://valhallamicrobrewery.citysearch.com/


Valhalla, a beautiful word of the ancient language of Latin, is used even today in names of everything from MUDs to microbreweries.

Where will it pop up next?

Val*hal"la (?), n. [Icel. valholl, literally, hall of the slain; valr the slain (akin to AS. wael, OHG. wal battlefield, wuol defeat, slaughter, AS. wól pestilence) + holl a royal hall. See Hall, and cf. Walhalla.] [Written also walhalla.]

1. Scand. Myth.

The palace of immortality, inhabited by the souls of heroes slain in battle.

2.

Fig.: A hall or temple adorned with statues and memorials of a nation's heroes; specifically, the Pantheon near Ratisbon, in Bavaria, consecrated to the illustrious dead of all Germany.

 

© Webster 1913.