Vikings What Valhalla Is Explained (& Why Only Some Characters Go There)

Vikings: What Valhalla Is Explained (& Why Only Some Characters Go There)

Vikings has included many elements from Norse mythology, including the concept of Valhalla – but what is it and why only some get to travel there?

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Vikings What Valhalla Is Explained (& Why Only Some Characters Go There)

The characters in Vikings constantly mention Valhalla, especially before a battle, but what’s the story of Valhalla and why can’t everyone go there when they die? Created by Michael Hirst, Vikings made its debut on History Channel in 2013 and was originally planned to be a miniseries. However, it was so well received by the audience that it was quickly renewed for a second season. Vikings lived on for a couple more seasons, and viewers got to follow the lives of Ragnar, Lagertha, Floki, and more quite closely.

Vikings initially followed legendary Norse figure Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) and his travels alongside his Viking brothers. As the series progressed, it shifted its focus to Ragnar’s sons – Bjorn, Ubbe, Hvitserk, Sigurd, and Ivar – and their own journeys, becoming the leads of the series. Ragnar met his fate in season 4, and his sons have since carried on with the series, though some fans feel it never recovered. Though Vikings isn’t historically accurate all the time (for instance, Ragnar Lothbrok might have never existed), it has included many elements from Norse mythology, most notably the concept of Valhalla.

Throughout the series, many characters have mentioned Valhalla and their desire to get there when they die, as not everyone has the honor of crossing those gates. In Norse mythology, Valhalla is a majestic and enormous hall in Asgard, ruled by none other than Odin. Before the gates there’s the tree Glasir, with golden red leaves, and the hall’s ceiling is thatched with golden shields. The gates of Valhalla made an appearance in Vikings in season 4’s episode “A Good Treason”, where a wounded and agonizing Ragnar had a dream of walking towards the open gates, only to have them close before him.

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Going to Valhalla after death is a privilege, as not everyone can cross the gates. Only half of those who die in combat are chosen by Odin to travel to Valhalla, led by the valkyries, while the other half go to Fólkvangr, a meadow ruled over by the goddess Freyja, who is associated with love, beauty, and fertility. Within Fólkvangr is her hall, Sessrúmnir, where she receives those who died in battle. Now, the characters in Vikings were especially interested in earning their entrance to Valhalla as the warriors who go there join the masses of those who have also died in combat (the Einherjar) and prepare daily for the events of Ragnarök, which is the end of the world and its rebirth.

It’s not surprising, then, that Ragnar was so worried about earning a spot in Valhalla, and that characters like Tostig wished to die in battle so Odin would take him there to dine and feast with the gods and his former companions (and was very disappointed when he survived his first fight with Ragnar and company). Valhalla might have an even bigger presence in the sequel series, Vikings: Valhalla, set a century after the end of the original series, so viewers will keep learning more about it and other Viking beliefs.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/vikings-show-valhalla-afterlife-characters-deaths-reason-explained/

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