Valkyries are often described as "Odin's Vultures", whose purpose is to select the most glorious of men who die in battle. These Valkyries are women of violence that were seen as precursors to both honor and horror. Valkyries were physically important to the processing of men into Valhalla, which inherently entwined their fate with Viking warriors and they were heavily associated with the death of men. The Valkyries haunted their dreams and looked over the slaughter of battle, making them culturally dreaded creatures. Over time, this view of Valkyries in Valhalla softened, making them into protective spirits. They are the women who serve the men of Valhalla in feasts and care for the warriors until Ragnarök. This later shift from violent overseers to sustainers of life shows how the image of women changed within Norse culture with the introduction of Christianity.
Valkyries are often described as "Odin's Vultures", whose purpose is to select the most glorious of men who die in battle. These Valkyries are women of violence that were seen as precursors to both honor and horror. Valkyries were physically important to the processing of men into Valhalla, which inherently entwined their fate with Viking warriors and they were heavily associated with the death of men. The Valkyries haunted their dreams and looked over the slaughter of battle making them culturally dreaded creatures. Over time, this view of Valkyries in Valhalla softened, making them into protective spirits. They are the women who serve the men of Valhalla in feasts and care for the warriors until Ragnarök. This later shift from violent overseers to sustainers of life shows how the image of women changed within Norse culture with the introduction of Christianity.