The Greeks aren’t the only culture that has their own mythology. Norse mythology dates back centuries and features a host of fascinating characters—notably Odin, Thor and Loki. Another popular component of Norse mythology is Valkyries. Valkyries are female figures who chose which figures survived and died in battle. Valkyries took the chosen soldiers to the afterlife hall of the slain, known as Valhalla, which is ruled over by the Norse god Odin. In Valhalla, the deceased soldiers then become einherjar and consume the beast Sæhrímnir every night with mead. Valkyries frequently appear as lovers to heroes and mortals in Norse mythology. They’re often associated with ravens, swans and horses, and are frequently depicted with winged helmets.

Over the last several centuries, valkyries have been depicted frequently in poems, art and songs. In recent years, we’ve seen valkyries appear throughout popular culture—notably in the “Ah! My Goddess” manga, the “Conan the Barbarian” film, the “Thor: Ragnarok” film and the “Xena” Warrior Princess” television series.

Another art form that has taken to depicting valkyries is tattooing. Tattoo artists from around the world across all styles have created stunning valkyrie tattoos. Take a look at 75 mythical valkyrie tattoos from some of the best tattoo artists in the world. Then let us know your favorite tattoo from this list in the comments section on social media.

Source: www.inkedmag.com