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Hildr

Hildr is a Valkyrie in Norse mythology whose name derives from the Old Norse word for "battle," reflecting her central association with warfare and conflict.^[1] She is prominently featured as one of the Valkyries who choose the slain on the battlefield and escort worthy warriors to Valhalla, serving Odin in his role as god of war.^[2] In the Poetic Edda, specifically the poem Völuspá (stanza 30), Hildr is listed among a group of Valkyries preparing to ride to the gods, alongside figures such as Skuld, Skögul, Gunnr, Göndul, and Geirskögul, underscoring her status as one of Odin's divine maidens tasked with influencing the outcomes of battles.^[3] Her most notable myth appears in the legend of the Hjaðningavíg (Battle of the Hjaðningar), an unending war between two kings, where she demonstrates a unique and darker aspect of Valkyrie lore by wielding the power to revive fallen warriors each night, ensuring the conflict persists eternally as a form of divine punishment or practice for Ragnarök.^[2]^[4] According to accounts in the Prose Edda (Skáldskaparmál) and the Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks, Hildr is the daughter of King Högni of Denmark and is taken captive by King Hedinn during a raid while her father is away, sparking the feud that escalates into the perpetual battle.^[2]^[4] Despite attempts at reconciliation, Hildr's intervention—using her supernatural abilities to restore the dead to fight anew each day—prevents resolution, with the saga depicting her as a figure of both vengeance and inevitability, approved by Odin himself to maintain the strife.^[2] This narrative highlights Hildr's complex character, blending the traditional Valkyrie role of selector of the slain with a more autonomous, mortal-like agency in human affairs, distinguishing her from other Valkyries like Brynhildr or Sigrún who are more focused on romantic or fateful choices in battle.^[2] Her story also appears in poetic kennings for battle, such as "Hildr's storm," emphasizing her enduring symbolic connection to chaos and renewal in combat.^[5]

Etymology

Linguistic meaning

The name Hildr derives from the Old Norse common noun hildr, which means "battle" or "warfare."^[6]^[7] This term is frequently personified in Norse mythology, where it represents the abstract concept of combat embodied as a female figure, such as a Valkyrie who selects warriors for death in battle.^[6] Linguistically, hildr traces back to the Proto-Germanic root *hildiz, denoting "battle" or "fight," which connects to broader Indo-European concepts of striking or conflict.^[8]^[9] This root underscores the name's inherent association with martial themes prevalent in Germanic naming traditions. Beyond its mythological personification, Hildr appears as a personal name in medieval Scandinavian records, often as a standalone or compound element distinct from its symbolic role. For instance, in the Landnámabók, it is attested as the name of individuals such as Hildr in mjóva Hognadóttir (chapter 40) and Hilda stjarna Þórvaldsdóttir (chapter 23), reflecting its use among historical figures in Iceland during the settlement period.^[10] Similarly, a Hildr appears as the daughter of Þórsteinn surtr inn spaki in the Laxdæla saga, illustrating its application in narrative sagas as a given name for women.^[10]

Variations and cognates

The name Hildr derives from Old Norse hildr, meaning "battle," and shares cognates across other Germanic languages, reflecting a common Proto-Germanic root hildiz denoting conflict or warfare.^[8] In Old English, the cognate is hild, used both as a noun for "battle" and in personal names, such as the Valkyrie figure in Anglo-Saxon poetry.^[11] Similarly, Old High German features hild or hiltia, often appearing in compound names to signify "fight" or "strife," as seen in historical texts like the Nibelungenlied.^[12] Old Saxon preserves hild or hildi with the same semantic range, emphasizing martial themes in early medieval literature.^[13] In medieval Norse manuscripts, Hildr appears with orthographic variations due to scribal practices and dialectal differences, such as Hild (shortened form) or Hyld in some Icelandic codices, while Hilda emerges as a related feminine name in Anglo-Scandinavian contexts, retaining the core meaning of "battle."^[6] These forms persisted into modern usage, influencing given names like Hilda in English and Scandinavian traditions, often evoking strength or protection.^[10] The element hildr significantly shaped compound names in Old Norse literature, combining with other roots to denote battle-related attributes. For instance, Brynhildr merges brynja ("mail-coat" or "armor") with hildr ("battle"), yielding "armored warrior" or "battle-armor," as in the Valkyrie of the Völsunga saga.^[14] Likewise, Hildisvíni incorporates hildr (genitive hildis, "of battle") with svíni ("swine" or "boar"), translating to "battle-swine," referring to the mythical boar of the goddess Freyja in the poem Hyndluljóð. These compositions highlight hildr's role as a prolific second element in dithematic names, underscoring themes of combat and heroism unique to its martial connotation.^[15]

Mythological role

Valkyrie functions

In Norse mythology, Hildr functions as a Valkyrie, one of Odin's divine attendants tasked with selecting warriors on the battlefield.^[16] As detailed in the Poetic Edda, Hildr is enumerated among the Valkyries in Grímnismál, stanza 36, alongside figures like Skeggjöld, Skögul, and Þrúðr, underscoring her place in the collective of choosers of the slain.^[17] This role aligns with the etymological essence of "valkyrja," meaning "chooser of the slain," where Hildr embodies the selective judgment over combatants' fates.^[18] Hildr's primary duties involve determining which warriors merit induction into Valhalla, Odin's hall for the einherjar, the fallen heroes destined to fight at Ragnarök. She guides these chosen souls from the battlefield to Valhalla, ensuring their transition to an afterlife of eternal preparation and feasting.^[16] This selective process highlights her active participation in warfare's outcome, deciding life and death amid the chaos of battle.^[18] Depicted in Valkyrie iconography, Hildr rides a horse across the skies, wields a spear as a symbol of her authority, and dons armor to signify her warrior status. These attributes emphasize her mobility and martial prowess, enabling swift intervention on the field.^[16] Her name, deriving from Old Norse "hildr" meaning "battle," further symbolizes her integral connection to combat, reinforcing her embodiment of war's inexorable selection.^[18]

Association with resurrection

In Norse mythology, Hildr stands out among the Valkyries for her unique ability to revive slain warriors each day, allowing them to engage in combat anew and thereby sustaining an unending cycle of battle. This power, described as a form of magic inherent to her nature, enables her to raise the dead from the battlefield overnight, restoring both fighters and their weapons to full strength by dawn. As a result, conflicts under her influence never reach resolution, serving as a divine mechanism to perpetuate warfare indefinitely until the onset of Ragnarök.^[19] This resurrection capability underscores broader themes of eternal strife in Norse lore, where revival not only ensures the continuation of heroic deeds but also embodies the relentless nature of martial destiny. By repeatedly bringing warriors back to life, Hildr maintains a state of perpetual heroism amid ceaseless violence, reflecting the mythological view of war as an inexhaustible force that hones the einherjar for the final apocalyptic battle. Unlike the typical Valkyrie role of selecting and escorting the fallen to Valhalla, Hildr's gift transforms death into a temporary state, emphasizing renewal as integral to the cosmic order of conflict.^[20] Interpretations of Hildr's power often link it to the martial essence of her name, hildr, which derives from Old Norse for "battle," personifying the very essence of warfare she invokes through resurrection. This etymological tie suggests her revivification serves as an extension of battle's inexorable momentum, where the act of raising the dead mirrors the unending fury of combat itself. Scholars note that this attribute elevates Hildr beyond mere chooser of the slain, positioning her as a symbolic guardian of eternal martial vigor.^[20]

Family and narrative context

Parentage and lineage

In Norse mythology, Hildr is attested as the daughter of King Högni (also spelled Högne), a legendary ruler associated with Denmark and northern European heroic traditions./Sk%C3%A1ldskaparm%C3%A1l) This parentage positions Hildr within a royal lineage that underscores her status as a figure of noble birth, linking her to cycles of kingship and warfare in Germanic lore.^[21] Högni himself descends from Hálfdan, a semi-legendary king, emphasizing a heritage of martial prowess and sovereignty that aligns with Hildr's role as a Valkyrie.^[21] In certain variants of the legend, particularly in the short narrative Sörla þáttr, Hildr's mother is identified as Hervör, daughter of Hjörvarðr and granddaughter of Heiðrekr úlfhamr, a wise and fierce king from the Gothic heroic cycles.^[21] This maternal connection further embeds Hildr in a warrior genealogy, as Hervör's line traces back to shield-maidens and berserkers, highlighting themes of inherited strength and conflict in the sagas.^[22] Such familial ties reinforce Hildr's portrayal as a mortal-born Valkyrie, bridging human royalty with supernatural elements of battle selection.^[21] Hildr's lineage thus integrates her into broader heroic narratives, where her parents' royal and combative backgrounds symbolize the intersection of earthly power and mythic destiny, influencing her narrative significance in tales of eternal strife./Sk%C3%A1ldskaparm%C3%A1l)^[21]

Involvement in Hjaðningavíg

In the legend of Hjaðningavíg, Hildr, daughter of King Hǫgni, is abducted by Heðinn (also known as Hedin), the son of Hjarrandi, while Hǫgni is away on a raiding expedition or at a meeting of kings.^[19] This act of seizure, motivated by Heðinn's hostile intentions, ignites a fierce pursuit as Hǫgni tracks them from Norway to the island of Háey in the Orkney archipelago.^[19] Upon Hǫgni's arrival, Hildr emerges to mediate, offering a valuable necklace on Heðinn's behalf as atonement and pleading for reconciliation, but her father refuses, having already drawn his dwarven-forged sword Dáinsleif, which compels fatal combat once unsheathed and inflicts unhealing wounds.^[23] The ensuing clash between the forces of Hǫgni and Heðinn marks the onset of the Hjaðningavíg, an epic battle that rages without resolution. Hildr's marriage to Heðinn, intended as a means to resolve the feud following her abduction, instead becomes entangled in the escalating violence, positioning her as both a reluctant participant and an active perpetuator of the conflict.^[20] In some accounts, after the initial abduction and pursuit, Hildr consents to the union, yet the irreconcilable enmity between her father and husband prevents lasting peace, transforming their personal bond into a catalyst for perpetual strife.^[24] As the battle unfolds daily on Háey, Hildr employs her supernatural abilities to revive the slain warriors each night through sorcery, ensuring that the combatants—both Hǫgni's and Heðinn's—return to fight anew at dawn, with their weapons and bodies turning to stone in repose only to reanimate with the light.^[19] This cycle of death and renewal sustains the Hjaðningavíg indefinitely, dooming the island to ceaseless warfare until the arrival of Ragnarǫk, when the gods are prophesied to intervene and end the torment.^[23] Hildr's dual role in the myth underscores themes of inescapable fate and vengeful retribution, portraying her as a victim of male aggression—abducted and caught between familial loyalties—while simultaneously enabling the endless cycle through her resurrective powers, which bind her to the tragedy she seeks to avert.^[20] The legend's irresolution, with no decisive victory or closure, reflects broader Norse motifs of doomed heroism, where personal choices entwine with inexorable destiny to prolong suffering.^[24]

Attestations in primary sources

Poetic Edda references

In the Poetic Edda, Hildr is prominently listed among Odin's Valkyries in the poem Völuspá, specifically in stanza 30 (or 31 in some editions), where the völva (seeress) describes a vision of these figures assembling to ride to the gods' ranks in preparation for cosmic events. The stanza names Hildr alongside Skuld, who bears the shield, Skögul, Gunnr, Göndul, and Geirskögul, portraying them as "Herjan's maidens" (Herjan being a name for Odin) ready to traverse the earth and select warriors for Valhalla.^[25] This enumeration underscores Hildr's role as a chooser of the slain, integral to the prophetic narrative foretelling Ragnarök.^[26] Hildr also appears in Darraðarljóð, an Eddic-style poem preserved in Njáls saga but characterized by its anonymous, alliterative verse akin to the Poetic Edda. In stanza 3, she is depicted weaving the "web of battle" with drawn swords alongside other Valkyries—Hjǫrþrímul, Sanngríðr, and Svipul—using entrails, skulls, and arrows as loom elements to determine the outcome of a impending conflict, evoking a grim, martial ritual of fate-weaving.^[27] This imagery highlights Hildr's active participation in orchestrating warfare's chaos, with the Valkyries chanting prophecies of shattered shields and clashing weapons. Symbolically, Hildr's references in these poems contribute to the Poetic Edda's portrayal of Valkyries as agents in prophetic visions of doom and renewal, particularly in Völuspá's buildup to Ragnarök, where their warrior selection ensures Odin's army for the final battle. In Darraðarljóð, her involvement in the weaving motif symbolizes the inexorable determination of victory and death, blending martial prowess with supernatural foresight to emphasize themes of inevitable conflict and heroic destiny.^[25]^[27]

Prose Edda descriptions

In the Gylfaginning section of the Prose Edda, Hildr is enumerated among the Valkyries dispatched by Odin to battles, where they determine the fate of warriors and select those destined for Valhalla.^[28] She is listed alongside figures such as Hrist, Mist, Skeggjöld, and others, whose roles include serving ale to the Einherjar in Valhalla and influencing the outcomes of combat as part of Odin's divine mechanisms for perpetuating the warrior afterlife.^[28] This catalog integrates Hildr into the broader cosmology of Norse gods, portraying her as an agent in the eternal preparation for Ragnarök through the recruitment and sustenance of fallen heroes.^[28] The Skáldskaparmál provides a more narrative portrayal of Hildr, identifying her as the daughter of King Högni and the wife of King Heðinn (also called Hedin), son of Hjarrandi, in the context of the everlasting conflict known as the Hjaðningavíg.^[29] Snorri Sturluson recounts how Heðinn abducts Hildr during Högni's absence, prompting a pursuit and confrontation that escalates into daily battles between their forces, with Hildr's Valkyrie abilities enabling her to revive the slain warriors each evening using magic, thus ensuring the conflict's perpetuity.^[29] Odin intervenes by sending Hildr to the fray, linking her resurrection power directly to the divine orchestration of heroic strife.^[29] Snorri rationalizes this resurrection motif as an integral element of the cyclical nature of heroic existence in Norse mythology, where the endless renewal of combatants mirrors the Einherjar's daily combats in Valhalla, all building toward the final confrontation at Ragnarök.^[29] By framing Hildr's actions within Odin's oversight, Snorri connects her personal legend to the larger framework of godly intervention in mortal wars, emphasizing themes of inexorable fate and martial immortality.^[29]

Saga appearances

Hildr features prominently in the 13th-century Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks, where the legend concludes with her role in the Hjaðningavíg. As the daughter of King Högni (son of Hálfdan), she is abducted by Heðinn (son of Hjarrandi) while her father is away. Upon Högni's return and pursuit, the conflict escalates into an eternal battle on the seashore. Hildr uses her supernatural powers to revive the fallen warriors each evening with spells, compelling them to fight anew each day, thus perpetuating the strife under Odin's influence. This brief but pivotal account ties Hildr's resurrection abilities directly to the saga's heroic genealogy, portraying her as a Valkyrie whose magic enforces unending conflict.^[4] Hildr also appears in the legendary saga Sörla þáttr (also known as Heðins saga ok Högni), a narrative embedded in the 14th-century Flateyjarbók manuscript, which expands on her mythological role through connections to the heroic lineage established in Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks. Here, she is depicted as the daughter of King Högni, son of Hálfdan, and his wife Hervör Hjörvarðsdóttir, thereby tying her parentage to the extended family tree originating from Heiðrekr and his descendants in the earlier saga.^[21] In this account, Hildr's abduction by the young prince Heðinn, son of Hjarrandi, serves as the catalyst for the Hjaðningavíg, an unending conflict elaborated with dramatic dialogue and heroic tension. Influenced by a magic ale provided by Göndul (a disguise for Freyja seeking to reclaim her necklace Brísingamen from Odin), Heðinn encounters Hildr during a journey and decides to seize her despite her agency in protesting the act. She appeals to him directly, stating, "My father will marry me to you if you ask him for me," and warns of the severe repercussions from her father, emphasizing her desire for a consensual union rather than force. Heðinn, however, ignores her pleas, kills Högni's watchman in the process, and abducts Hildr along with her father's prized dragon-ship, Naglfari, thereby provoking Högni's vengeful pursuit and the ensuing battle.^[21] The saga portrays Hildr as a figure attempting conflict resolution amid the chaos, greeting her arriving father with offers of peace on Heðinn's behalf, including a conciliatory necklace, but her efforts fail as the feud escalates into a supernatural war where Odin enchants the combatants to revive each morning after fatal wounds, forcing them to fight eternally. This version of the Hjaðningavíg, involving armies led by Högni and Heðinn each supported by twenty allied kings, endures for 143 years until King Óláfr Tryggvason intervenes with Christian rites, baptizing the warriors and breaking the spell—Hildr herself observes the battle's grim repetition without actively participating in the revivals.^[21] Variations across these texts emphasize her limited agency in abductions—portrayed as victim rather than instigator—and the revivals as Odin's doing rather than her own sorcery in some accounts, distinguishing saga expansions from more mythological portrayals.

Archaeological and iconographic evidence

Gotland picture stones

The Gotland picture stones from the Viking Age provide some of the earliest archaeological evidence linking Hildr to Valkyrie-like figures in battle contexts, particularly through depictions of female intermediaries amid conflict.^[30] These monuments, carved from limestone and often erected as memorials, feature intricate reliefs that scholars interpret as visual narratives of mythological strife.^[31] The Stora Hammars I stone, located in Lärbro parish on Gotland, Sweden, and dated to the 8th century, exemplifies this iconography with its multi-panel design portraying mounted figures and battle scenes.^[32] One prominent panel shows a central female figure, interpreted as Hildr, positioned between two groups of armed warriors on horseback, suggesting her role in orchestrating or mediating eternal combat.^[30] Additional elements, such as rings held by the woman and a wolf motif above the scene, reinforce interpretations of Hildr as a catalyst for strife, evoking her attributes as a chooser of the slain in warrior selection.^[31] Scholars like Sune Lindqvist and Karl Hauck have analyzed these carvings as direct allusions to Hildr's legendary involvement in perpetual battles, with the mounted warriors symbolizing the unending cycle of fighting.^[30] Similarly, the Smiss I stone from Stenkyrka parish, Gotland, dated to the 8th or 9th century, depicts a female figure akin to Hildr standing before a group of warriors on a ship, armed with spears and shields that align with Valkyrie iconography of battle oversight and revival.^[33] The woman's posture, possibly holding neck-rings as tokens of false peace, places her amid a scene of approaching conflict, emphasizing motifs of selection and the resurgence of fighters.^[30] This imagery, though weathered, highlights Hildr's symbolic presence in maritime warfare settings, where shields along the vessel's gunwale underscore defensive and combative themes.^[31] Iconographic analysis of these stones connects their carvings to elements of the Hjaðningavíg, the everlasting battle, through recurring motifs of opposed forces and a mediating woman who perpetuates the fight.^[30] On Stora Hammars I, the division of warriors into factions mirrors the legendary divide between Högni and Héðinn, with Hildr's central role evoking resurrection and renewed hostility.^[31] The Smiss I stone complements this by portraying Hildr's deceptive offer of reconciliation before a shipborne assault, linking the visual narrative to cycles of death and revival in combat.^[30] Such interpretations, drawn from detailed examinations by researchers including Jane Back Danielsson, underscore the stones' role in preserving pre-Christian mythological concepts without reliance on later textual accounts.^[31]

Other medieval artifacts

Viking Age (ca. 800-1100 CE) silver and bronze figurines provide more explicit examples of Valkyrie iconography, portraying women wielding swords, spears, or axes, sometimes in dynamic poses suggesting combat or soul selection. The Hårby figurine, a 3.4 cm silver piece from Funen, Denmark (8th century), is the earliest known three-dimensional depiction of such a figure, complete with a winged helmet, sword, and shield, aligning with Hildr's mythological attributes as a chooser of the slain. Similar amulets from sites like Ribe and Tissø in Denmark, and Birka in Sweden, total around a dozen known examples, often worn as pendants; scholars link them to Valkyries like Hildr, who in Eddic sources prepares halls for resurrected warriors, implying themes of renewal and afterlife transition.^[34]^[35] Runestones from Denmark and Sweden bear inscriptions incorporating "hildr" as a name element, reflecting its popularity in personal nomenclature and possible ties to Hildr's cultic veneration for memorial or protective purposes. In Sweden, where over 2,400 Viking Age runestones survive, "hildr" appears 19 times as a feminine second element in dithematic names (e.g., in compounds like Brynhildr), concentrated in Uppland (17 instances across 956 stones) and Södermanland (2 instances across 319 stones), often in family commemorations. Specific examples include U 160 from Uppland, honoring a deceased relative with a "hildr"-derived name, and Sö 213 from Södermanland, a memorial stone invoking similar naming traditions; these suggest "hildr" carried symbolic weight, potentially alluding to the Valkyrie's battle prowess in honoring the dead. In Denmark, with about 250 runestones, names incorporating "hildr" appear in memorial contexts, indicating regional continuity in using the element for women.^[36]^[37] Medieval tapestries and related metalwork from Scandinavian burials further evoke resurrection motifs potentially linked to Hildr's powers of reviving warriors in eternal conflict. Fragments from the Oseberg ship burial in Norway (ca. 834 CE), woven in wool and silk, illustrate processions of riders, horses, and human figures that archaeologists interpret as mythical journeys to the afterlife, possibly guided by Valkyrie-like maidens overseeing the slain's fate. These 16 x 23 cm panels, found draped over a wagon, align with Hildr's role in sustaining battles through resurrection, as described in sagas. Similarly, the Överhogdal tapestries from Jämtland, Sweden (ca. 1040-1170 CE), preserved in a church, depict animated scenes of ships, trees, and figures on horseback amid mythical motifs, suggesting Valhalla-bound processions that could allude to Valkyries' restorative abilities; their woolen construction and narrative style mark them as rare Viking-era textiles blending pagan and emerging Christian elements. Accompanying metal fittings from such burials, like brooches with entwined animal and human forms, reinforce themes of cyclical renewal in battle contexts.^[38]^[39]

Scholarly interpretations

Symbolic significance

In Norse mythology, Hildr exemplifies the theme of inevitable conflict through her central role in the Hjaðningavíg, the perpetual battle between her father Hǫgni and her abductor Heðinn, where she employs magic to revive the slain warriors each night, perpetuating an unending cycle of violence. This resurrection motif underscores the inescapability of war as a cosmic force, transforming death into a temporary state that sustains heroic endeavor without resolution.^[40]^[20] Hildr further embodies the hamingja, the guardian luck-spirit associated with personal and familial fortune in battle, as Valkyries like her determine warriors' destinies by selecting the slain and influencing outcomes, thereby weaving fate into the fabric of combat. This role intersects with gender dynamics in Norse warrior societies, where women often served as peacemakers; Hildr subverts this expectation by inciting and prolonging strife through her abduction and revivifications, highlighting a supernatural feminine agency that challenges traditional boundaries between protection and destruction.^[40]^[20] Hildr's narrative ties directly to Ragnarök prophecies, as the Prose Edda states that the Hjaðningar "shall thus await Ragnarök," positioning her eternal army as a harbinger of the apocalyptic wars that will engulf the gods and heroes in the final cataclysm. In this context, her revivals prefigure the eschatological renewal and doom, where Valkyries herald the ultimate unraveling of the world order.^[20]

Comparisons to other Valkyries

Hildr's portrayal in Norse mythological sources distinguishes her from other Valkyries through her unique association with resurrection and the perpetuation of conflict, contrasting with figures like Gunnr, who embodies a more straightforward war-oriented role without the capacity to revive the fallen. While Gunnr, often listed among Odin's handmaidens in the Poetic Edda, primarily functions as a chooser of the slain to escort warriors to Valhalla, Hildr actively intervenes in battle by raising the dead, as seen in her role in sustaining the eternal Hjaðningavíg between Hedin and Högni.^[41] Similarly, Skögul exhibits a prophetic dimension in texts like Hákonarmál, where she foretells outcomes and selects heroes for Odin, but lacks Hildr's revivification powers, emphasizing guidance over endless prolongation of strife.^[41] In contrast to these, Hildr shares notable similarities with Brynhildr in terms of romantic entanglements, yet diverges in her commitment to perpetual battle. Both figures navigate tensions between divine duties and personal affections—Brynhildr's defiance of Odin leads to her entrapment and tragic love with Sigurd, mirroring Hildr's abduction and marriage to Hedin amid familial loyalties—but Hildr's narrative resolves into an unending cycle of resurrection rather than Brynhildr's fatal resolution through betrayal and death.^[20] This distinction underscores Hildr's role in embodying irresolvable conflict, as her revivification sustains warfare indefinitely, unlike Brynhildr's story, which culminates in closure despite its emotional turmoil.^[20] Scholarly debates further highlight Hildr's ambiguous status as a potential mortal-Valkyrie hybrid, setting her apart from more unequivocally divine Valkyries like Sigrún. While Sigrún, in the Poetic Edda, maintains a supernatural essence tied to prophecy and lover's protection without explicit human lineage, Hildr is depicted as both Högni's daughter and a supernatural battle entity, blending mortal kinship with Valkyrie agency in revivifying warriors.^[20] This hybridity, debated in analyses of kennings and narrative duality, positions Hildr as a liminal figure torn between human emotions and divine intervention, contrasting Sigrún's purer otherworldly portrayal.^[41]

Modern depictions

In literature and art

In the 19th century, Romantic interest in Norse mythology led to visual depictions of Hildr as a formidable Valkyrie associated with eternal battle and resurrection. An engraving in Wilhelm Wagner's Nordisch-Germanische Götter und Helden (1882) portrays Hildr as a winged warrior maiden wielding a spear, her form emphasizing strength and ethereal grace amid a stormy battlefield, capturing the era's idealization of mythic heroines. ^[42] Richard Wagner's opera Die Walküre (1870), the second part of the Ring Cycle, features Valkyries as supernatural sisters who select fallen warriors for Valhalla, indirectly evoking Hildr's mythological role through motifs of divine intervention in war, influencing subsequent artistic interpretations of Norse figures. ^[43] In 20th- and 21st-century myth anthologies and fantasy illustrations, Hildr appears as a symbol of relentless combat, often shown resurrecting slain fighters to perpetuate endless strife. In 2025, collectible figures such as the Gold Hildr action figure from event exclusives continue to depict her as a powerful Valkyrie warrior.^[44]

In video games and media

In video games, Hildr is frequently portrayed as a formidable Valkyrie warrior, drawing on her mythological role as a chooser of the slain to create challenging boss encounters that emphasize combat prowess and strategic depth. One prominent example is in God of War (2018), where she serves as an optional boss within the realm of Niflheim.^[45] Accessed via a hidden chamber in the realm's treacherous mist-filled maze, Hildr's fight integrates environmental hazards, as the poisonous fog continuously drains the player's health, compelling quick parries, dodges, and aggressive attacks to conserve resources like Mist Echoes.^[46] Her moveset includes aerial wing strikes, spinning blade assaults, and ground pounds, making her encounter a test of endurance and timing amid the realm's time-pressure mechanics.^[47] Hildr also features in Assassin's Creed Valhalla (2020), particularly in the free Tombs of the Fallen update and related DLC content, where she is reimagined as an Isu-era Valkyrie and former guardian who rebelled against Odin (depicted as Havi). In a visionary boss battle tied to the Hildiran questline, players confront her in an ancient tomb, blending Norse myth with the game's sci-fi lore as she wields advanced weaponry and Valkyrie armor that enhances mobility and damage output.^[48] Defeating Hildr unlocks her modified Valkyrie gear set, which provides bonuses to critical damage and evasion, reflecting her thematic ties to eternal battle and resurrection from mythology.^[49] Beyond these, Hildr appears in Fate/Grand Order (2015), a mobile RPG, as a summonable Servant in both Lancer and Assassin classes, part of a trio of Valkyrie sisters alongside Ortlinde and Thrúd. Introduced in 2024 updates, she supports team-based gameplay with Arts card enhancements and critical star generation for Valkyrie-trait allies, portraying her as a tactical battlefield reviver who aids fallen heroes, directly echoing her Prose Edda origins.^[50] In film and television, Hildr's influence manifests through inspired characters in Viking-themed productions that evoke her war motifs and Valkyrie archetype. For instance, in the series Vikings (2013–2020), shield-maidens like Gunnhild embody a fierce, battle-hardened femininity reminiscent of Hildr's role in perpetuating eternal conflicts, serving as queens and warriors who guide and empower male leads amid raids and power struggles.^[51] Such depictions prioritize thematic resonance over direct adaptation, using Hildr-like figures to explore motifs of resurrection and unending strife in historical drama.^[52]

References

[1]
Hildr: Battle Valkyrie - Kindred Asatru
Jan 22, 2025 · Hildr (pronounced “HILL-der”) appears in Norse mythology as a Valkyrie associated with war and conflict. Her name means “battle” in Old Norse.
[2]
Valkyries: Choosers of the Slain - History Cooperative
... Hildr as a much darker figure in Norse mythology. It's perhaps no coincidence that Hildr was one of the six “war Valkyries” listed in the Völuspá. What is ...Gods and Mortals · How Many Valkyries Were... · Valkyries of Note · Sigrún
[3]
Völuspá - Norse and Germanic Lore site with Old Norse / English translations of the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda
### Extracted Stanza Mentioning Hildr
[4]
None
Summary of each segment:
[5]
Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages :: Snorra Edda
The kenning 'storm of the Hjaðningar' leads to the narration of the legend of Hildr and the eternal battle of the Hjaðningar, which is illustrated by the ...
[6]
Meaning, origin and history of the name Hildr
From Old Norse hildr meaning "battle", making it a cognate of Hilda. In Norse legend this was the name of a valkyrie.
[7]
Hildr - Nordic Names
Origin and Meaning. Old Norse hildr = 'battle', 'fight' (see HILD) (see also ... Old Norse Origin · Norse Mythology · About Nordic Names; –; Impressum / Legal ...Missing: etymology | Show results with:etymology
[8]
Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/hildiz - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Likely from Pre-Germanic *kelh₂tís, from Proto-Indo-European *kelh₂- (“to hit, strike”). Cognate with Latin clādēs (“destruction”), Ancient Greek κόλος ...
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Hilda - Etymology, Origin & Meaning of the Name
Originating from Old High German hild meaning "war, battle," this German female name means "battle-maid," rooted in Proto-Germanic *hildiz and PIE *kel- "to ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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Old Norse Women's Names - Viking Answer Lady Webpage
The second element -hildr is identical to Old Icelandic hildr, "battle" and ultimately derives from Primitive Scandinavian *heldió. Found in Old Danish as ...
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An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary - The Linguistics Research Center
We need your help to preserve & document ancient languages. Participate ... Hildr is the name of one of the Valkyrias, and Grimm considers that the ...
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[PDF] Stephen Mitchell - Scholars at Harvard
Old Norse hǫð 'war', 'slaughter'; Old English heaðu- 'war', 'battle'; Old High German hadu- 'fight', 'battle',. 'Kampf'. 29 hild- cf. Old Norse hildr 'battle'; ...
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hildr‎ (Old Norse): meaning, translation - WordSense Dictionary
See also Hilda… hild: hild (Old English) Origin & history From Proto-Germanic *hildiz‎, from Proto-Indo-European *kola-, *klā- ("to beat, kill"). Cognate with ...
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Meaning, origin and history of the name Brynhildr
Old Norse cognate of Brunhild. In the Norse epic the Völsungasaga Brynhildr was rescued by the hero Sigurd in the guise of Gunnar. Brynhildr and Gunnar were ...
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Name Element HILDR - Behind the Name
The meaning, origin and history of the name element "hildr"
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Valkyrie - World History Encyclopedia
Sep 8, 2021 · The Valkyries are figures from Norse Mythology who decided the fate of warriors in battle and carried the souls of the slain back to Odin's hall ...
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Grímnismál 36-40 - Voluspa.org
Skeggjöld ok Skögul, Hildr ok Þrúðr, Hlökk ok Herfjötur, Göll ok Geirönul ... Poetic Edda Grímnismál 31-35 Grímnismál 41-45 Home · © 2008 Völuspá.org ...
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(PDF) Valkyries and Shield Maidens: Setting the Record Straight
In Norse mythology the valkyries (valkyrja in Old Norse) were divine women in the service of the god Odin. The valkyries' main task was to “choose slain ...
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[PDF] Skaldskaparmal.1.unicode.pdf - Viking Society Web Publications
Skáldskaparmál contains a lot of poetry that was composed mainly in Norway and Iceland in the ninth to twelfth centuries. Though much of it is quoted in short ...
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Analysing Irresolution in the Old Norse Hildr Legend | Neophilologus
Apr 30, 2018 · Snorri includes two accounts in his Edda, the first a prose version in Skáldskaparmál, which clearly draws on Ragnarsdrápa but expands the ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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Fornaldarsögur Norðurlanda - Germanic Mythology
Högni átti dóttur, er Hildr hét. Hún var allra kvenna vænst ok vitrust. Hann unni mikit dóttur sinni. Ekki átti hann barna fleira. VI. King Högni was at ...
[22]
https://vsnrweb-publications.org.uk/Text%20Series/Hervarar%20saga%20ok%20heidreks.pdf
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The Edda: II. The Heroic Mythology of the North - Project Gutenberg
Hedin called to Högni and offered atonement and much gold, but Högni said it was too late, his sword was already drawn. They fought till evening, and then ...
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[PDF] The Hild-story (Hjabningavíg) as a Saga-motif.
The Hild-story (Hjabningavíg) as a Saga-motif. Reference has frequently been made to the influence of older mythical and legendary matter on the Icelandic sagas ...
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Völuspá 26-30 - Voluspa.org
Sá hon valkyrjur vítt of komnar, görvar at ríða til Goðþjóðar; Skuld helt skildi, en Skögul önnur, Gunnr, Hildr, Göndul ok Geirskögul. grund valkyrjur.
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The Poetic Edda: Voluspo | Sacred Texts Archive
30. This is apparently the transitional stanza, in which the Volva, rewarded by Othin for her knowledge of the past (stanzas 1-29), is induced ...
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THE SONG OF THE VALKYRIES [DARRA THARLIOTH] - Sacred Texts
The Song of the Valkyries is a darkly prophetic Norse poem, linked to the Niáls saga, with a gruesome loom and a red dawn vision.
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https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Prose_Edda_(1916_translation_by_Arthur_Gilchrist_Brodeur
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[PDF] SAGA-BOOK - Viking Society for Northern Research
Similarly, Hildr's instigation of the Hjaðningavíg seems an extension of Óðinn's delight in the conflict of kinsmen and his general interest in promoting ...
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[PDF] Gotland's Picture Stones
The Hildr Legend. In the most recent of the above-mentioned variants, the. Icelandic Héðins saga ok Högna, the legend of Hildr forms part of the account of ...
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Saga Motifs on Gotland Picture Stones: The Case of Hildr Högnadóttir
### Summary of Stora Hammars I and Smiss I Picture Stones
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GP 253 Lärbro Stora Hammars I - Gotlandic Picture Stones
... Gotland. In its easternmost part, close to an area of coniferous woods ... Lindqvist dates those stones to around AD 700. He assigns this stone to his ...
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The Picture Stone from Smiss in Stenkyrka - Viking Archaeology
Along the gunwale a row of shields indicates a good-sized crew. On a raised platform in the stern is sitting a man whose job is to trim the sails. In front of ...
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Ancient Norse Elites Buried These Gold Pendants as Sacrifices to ...
May 11, 2021 · Fifth- and sixth-century Scandinavians wore the pendants to convey high status or kept them as treasure. “People in Scandinavia took ownership ...Missing: Valkyrie amulets Hildr
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Insight of the Valkyrie - World Archaeology
Apr 5, 2013 · A small silver figurine, found on the Danish island of Funen, is the first-known 3D representation of a valkyrie from the Viking Age, archaeologists say.
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https://asset.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/6YOMT7DYKX7CU8Q/R/file-555a3.pdf
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[PDF] Personal Names on Swedish Viking Age Runestones
In the old Germanic languages and Old Norse in particular, names alliterate if they begin with identical consonants or non-identical vowels, for example ...
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Bothild - Vikings in the East Midlands
It was rare in Iceland but common in Denmark and also found in Sweden. Bóthildr, -hilda appears as the first element in the medieval field names ...
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Oseberg tapestry: Viking Age artwork from a boat burial that may ...
May 19, 2025 · Name: Oseberg tapestry ; What it is: Fragments of a woven, patterned textile ; Where it is from: Tønsberg, Norway ; When it was made: Around 834.
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The history of Överhogdal´s tapestry
The Överhogdal tapestry is the oldest textile in Sweden containing scenes of people in action; radiocarbon dating places it at AD 1040-1170.
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[PDF] A Study of the Conception of the Dead in Old Norse Literature
Hildr, exceeding powerful, caused the horse of the sea to move slowly ... hamingja in Norse literature does not help us very much to find a conception ...
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Murphy 2013. MA Thesis: 'Herjans dísir: Valkyrjur, Supernatural Femininities, and Elite Warrior Culture in the Late Pre-Christian Iron Age'
### Summary of Hildr and Comparisons to Other Valkyries
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Nordic mythology: representation of Hildr one of the valkyries (Norse ...
Download stock image by Nordic mythology: representation of Hildr one of the valkyries Engraving from “Nordisch-Germanische Gotter und Helden” by Wilhelm ...
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A Summary and Analysis of the Valkyries Myth - Interesting Literature
Valkyries are young, blonde maidens, handmaidens to Odin, who choose who dies in battle and who lives, and are warriors, sorceresses, and spirits.
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Nordisch-Germanische Götter und Helden - Germanic Mythology
Illustrations by Various Artists from Nordisch-Germanische Götter und Helden re-published in 1887 as Unzre Vorzeit by Wilhelm Wagner and Jakob Nover.
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Valkyrie Hildr - God of War (2018) Guide - IGN
Aug 18, 2022 · In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about finding and defeating Valkyrie Hildr in God of War (2018).Missing: Smiss | Show results with:Smiss
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God of War Valkyrie guide: Hildr - Polygon
Apr 25, 2018 · Hildr may be the easiest Valkyrie fight in God of War, not because she's a pushover but because Niflheim makes you a better fighter.Be Prepared · Hildr Attacks And Strategies · Collect Your LootMissing: books | Show results with:books
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How to Beat Valkyrie Hildr | Boss Fight Guide | God of War ... - Game8
Aug 5, 2021 · Hildr can be found within the maze that is Ivaldi's Workshop in the realm of Niflheim. You can find the arena with her inside in one of the ...
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Where To Find All Tombs Of The Fallen In AC Valhalla - TheGamer
Jul 31, 2022 · The tomb is located just opposite your settlement, Ravensthorpe. Take a canoe or swim across the river that Ravensthorpe rests on. Once you ...
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Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Tombs of the Fallen Locations and ...
In this Assassin's Creed Valhalla guide, we're going to detail where you can find each tomb, the rewards that you can expect, and hopefully kickstart Eivor's ...
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Hildr (Assassin) | Servants - Fate/Grand Order Wiki - GamePress
Jul 18, 2024 · When equipped on Hildr (Assassin), Increase all allies' Arts cards effectiveness by 10% and Increase all allies with [Valkyrie] trait' Critical ...
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Vikings: Things You Didn't Know About Gunnhild - Screen Rant
Nov 23, 2021 · She Was Inspired By A Semi-Historical Figure ... Referred to as the 'Mother of Kings', Gunnhild was a far more powerful character in the original ...
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Gunnhild – The Original Viking Witch
Dec 14, 2022 · The appearance of Icelandic actress and former swimmer Ragga Ragnars as Gunnhild on the TV show Vikings has inspired a lot of interest in this ...Gunnhild's Origins · Gunnhild The Ruthless · Gunnhild In Exile<|control11|><|separator|>