What is Valhalla? The Viking Afterlife in Norse Mythology

If you've ever wondered where the Vikings believed they went after death, you’ve probably come across the name Valhalla. It’s one of the most well-known ideas from Norse mythology, often described as a warrior’s paradise ruled by Odin. 

But what exactly is Valhalla? How did the Vikings believe they could enter it? And what happened to those who didn’t make it there? This article explores the meaning of Valhalla, its role in Viking beliefs about the afterlife, and how it compares to other destinations in Norse mythology.

Jump to:

In Norse mythology, Valhalla—sometimes called Odin’s Hall—is a magnificent, golden hall where fallen warriors spend their afterlife preparing for the final battle at the end of the world, known as Ragnarök.

The definition of Valhalla comes from Old Norse: Valhǫll, meaning "Hall of the Slain". It is part of Asgard, the realm of the gods, and is ruled over by Odin, the Norse god of war, wisdom, and death.

Those who enter Valhalla are called Einherjar—elite warriors chosen personally by Odin. They spend eternity feasting, fighting, and training for the day they must fight alongside the gods.

According to Norse mythology, Valhalla was an enormous, golden-roofed hall with 540 doors, each wide enough for 800 warriors to march through side by side. Shields lined the walls, and spears supported the ceiling, reinforcing its warrior-like atmosphere. The central hall was where feasting and storytelling took place, with long tables stretching as far as the eye could see.

Not all Vikings were destined for Valhalla. To enter Odin’s hall, a warrior had to die in battle and be deemed worthy. According to legend, Odin’s warrior maidens, the Valkyries, would descend to the battlefield to select fallen heroes and bring them to Valhalla.

However, there was one important condition—Vikings had to die with their weapon in hand. If a warrior fell in battle but was unarmed, they risked being sent elsewhere in the Norse afterlife.

Unlike the peaceful idea of heaven in some religions, Valhalla was a place of endless battle and celebration. The warriors who lived there would fight one another every day, only to be resurrected in the evening. After their battles, they would feast on an endless supply of meat from a magical boar called Sæhrímnir and drink unlimited mead from a goat named Heiðrún.

Despite this seemingly perfect afterlife for a Viking warrior, their time in Valhalla wasn’t eternal. They were training for Ragnarök, the great battle at the end of the world. On this day, they would fight alongside Odin against the forces of chaos, knowing they were doomed to fall.

Once a warrior entered Valhalla, their days followed a set routine. Every morning, the Einherjar would arm themselves and engage in fierce battles with one another. No matter how many times they were wounded or even killed in these fights, they would be miraculously restored to full health by the evening.

At night, they gathered in Odin’s great hall, feasting on the endless meat of the magical boar Sæhrímnir and drinking mead that flowed from the udders of the goat Heiðrún. This daily cycle of fighting and feasting prepared them for their final duty—to fight alongside the gods in Ragnarök, the great end-of-days battle.

Although Valhalla is the most famous Viking afterlife, it was not the only one. Norse mythology describes multiple destinations for the dead, each ruled by different deities.

Odin is believed to have created Valhalla as a gathering place for warriors who would fight in Ragnarök. As the Norse god of death and war, he played an active role in choosing who entered his hall.

The Valkyries, his warrior maidens, served him by collecting fallen warriors and bringing them to Valhalla. Some sources even describe them serving the Einherjar during their nightly feasts.

To ensure safe passage to Valhalla, warriors were often buried with their weapons, shields, and armour. Many believed that if a Viking died without a weapon in hand, they would not be chosen by the Valkyries. Archaeological discoveries of Viking graves frequently reveal swords, axes, and spears placed alongside the deceased, reinforcing this belief. Some burials even contained sacrificed animals or servants, thought to accompany the warrior in the afterlife.

While there is no official Norse symbol that represents Valhalla itself, the Valknut is closely associated with Odin and the afterlife. The Valknut is a symbol of three interlocked triangles, often found on ancient Norse stone carvings and burial sites. Many scholars believe it represents fallen warriors, their connection to Odin, and the cycle of death and rebirth.

Although Valhalla is often compared to the idea of heaven in other religions, it’s quite different. It was not a place of eternal peace and rest but rather a training ground for warriors who would fight in Ragnarök. The Vikings did not see Valhalla as a paradise for all—it was a hall reserved for the bravest fighters. Those who lived ordinary lives or died in less honourable ways would go to other realms in the Norse afterlife.

Valhalla is only one part of Asgard. Asgard is the realm of the Norse gods, home to many halls and palaces. Odin’s hall, Valhalla, is simply one of these places, specifically for chosen warriors.

Other gods had their own halls—such as Thor’s home, Bilskirnir, and Freyja’s field, Fólkvangr.

The legends focus primarily on male warriors, but there is some debate about whether female warriors, or shieldmaidens, could enter Valhalla. Since the Valkyries were female and closely associated with the hall, it is possible that women who fought in battle could also be chosen.

If a Viking did not die in battle, they were unlikely to enter Valhalla. Instead, they would go to Helheim, Fólkvangr, or another part of the Norse afterlife. Dying without a weapon also made a Viking ineligible for Valhalla, meaning many would carry a blade at all times—even in old age—to ensure they could die with it in hand.

Valhalla was a deeply held belief among the Vikings, shaping how they approached life and death. While there is no physical evidence of Valhalla existing as a real place, its meaning was powerful. It encouraged warriors to seek honour, bravery, and a glorious death in battle.

Valhalla represented the ultimate reward for a Viking warrior. It encouraged courage, loyalty, and the willingness to fight until the very end. The idea of Valhalla influenced Viking burial practices, with many warriors buried with weapons, food, and even sacrificed animals or servants to accompany them into the afterlife.

Valhalla and Helheim were two vastly different destinations. Valhalla was a place of honour, combat, and celebration, while Helheim was often depicted as a cold, dark underworld where the dead lived in a shadowy existence under Hel’s rule. However, Helheim was not necessarily a place of punishment—just a less glorious alternative.

Whether you’re fascinated by the gods of Valhalla, the concept of Ragnarök, or the mysterious Norse gods of death, there’s always more to explore. If you want to dive deeper into the world of Norse mythology, why not take your knowledge further? At Centre of Excellence, you can enrol in the Norse Mythology Diploma Course for just £29! Learn about the gods, myths, and legends in greater depth and explore the rich history of the Vikings.