WALKYRIE, or VALKYR, in Scandi navian mytholoa, one of a company of nine or more beautiful maidens, attendants of Odin (q.v.), who, clad in brilliant armor and adorned with golden ornaments, ride through the air, order battles, and distribute the death-lots ac cording to Odin's commands. Fertilizing dew drops on the ground from the manes of their horses; light streams from the points of their lances, and a flickering brightness announces their arrival in the battle. With their charming glance they rejoice the glazing eye of the hero, and lead him to Walhalla (q.v.), where they act as his cup-bearers. Two Wallcyries, Hrist and Mist, are cup-bearers to Odin himself. The name is derived from the Icelandic Valkyrja, and means literally "chooser of the slain," from valr, the "slain" and kojora, to ((choose.* They differ in origin; some spring from Elves and other superhuman beings; some are daughters of princes, who in their lifetime are numbered among the Walkyries, showing all their qualities, and when they die their spirits become Walkyries. They ride generally in
companies of three, or of three times three or four dines three, and have the gift of changing themselves into swans— hence sometimes called swan-maidens. They often choose noble heroes for lovers. Whoever deprives a Walkyrie of her swan-robe gets her into his power. But the song of the Walkyries sounds terrible, as, sitting on a hill, they weave the fateful battle web. The Wallcynes were frequently con founded with the Norns or Destinies. They were conceived also under the figure of the clouds; thus, Hrist signifies "dark slcy,' and Mist signifies "qualdng." Most of the names of the Wa&yries, however, relate to war and battle. The Wallcyries were known also as battle maidens, shield-maidens and wish-maidens.