Einherjy (orig. Einherjar ) - in the Scandinavian mythology the best of the soldiers who died in battle who live in Valhalla .
According to legend, out of 540 doors of Valhalla on the day of Ragnarok , 800 Einherias will come out, who, led by Odin (and with other aces ), will enter the battle with monsters and giants.
"Einherii all
cut forever
in the hall of Odin;
enter into fights,
and ending the battle
feasting peacefully. "
In Valhall, the Einherias constantly train and fight each other. They feed on Sehrimnir’s boar meat, which is prepared by Andhrimnir , and they drink honey, which the goat Heidrun milks .
"Andhrimnir cooks
Sekhrimnir the Boar
in Eldhrimnir meat -
excellent game;
few know
Einherian dishes. ”
"Christ and Mist
let the horn offer me
Skeggyold and Skegul,
Hild and Labor,
Khlekk and Herfjötur,
Geir and Geirulul,
Randgrid and Radgrid
and Reginlive too
brewing beer Einheriam. "
According to legend, only those soldiers who died in the battle can get into Valhalla , but at the time of death they did not release their weapons. Their souls are collected by the Valkyries and transferred to the chambers of Odin or Freya , dividing among themselves all the dead soldiers. The Valkyries are also mentioned in the Elder Edda as those who bring beer and honey to Odin and the Einherias.
Also, the Einherias along with the Valkyries are referred to as the retinue of the god Odin in the Wild Hunt , a myth about which appeared already during Christianity on the territory of mainly Germany .
Literature
- Lindow, John (2001). Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515382-0
- Orchard, Andy (1997). Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend. Cassell. ISBN 0-304-34520-2
- Simek, Rudolf (2007) translated by Angela Hall . Dictionary of Northern Mythology. DS Brewer. ISBN 0-85991-513-1