In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil (from Old Norse Yggdrasill meaning "Ygg's (Odin's) horse" is the world tree. Yggdrasil is attested in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources; and the Prose Edda, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson. In both sources, Yggdrasil is an immense ash tree that is central and considered very holy. The Aesir go to Yggdrasil daily to hold their courts. The branches of Yggdrasil extend far into the heavens, and the tree is supported by three roots that extend far away into other locations; one to the well Urdarbrunnr in the heavens, one to the spring Hvergelmir, and another to the well Mímisbrunnr. Creatures live within Yggdrasil, including the harts Dainn, Dvalinn, Duneyrr and Durapror, and an unnamed eagle, and the wyrm Nidhoggr.
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The Valkyries Vigil Poster
The Valkyrie's Vigil (1906) by Edward Robert Hughes In Norse mythology, a valkyrie (from the Old Norse valkyrja, meaning "chooser of the slain" is one of a host of female figures who choose those who die in battle. The valkyries bring their chosen who have died bravely in battle to the afterlife hall of the slain, Valhalla, ruled over by the god Odin, where the deceased warriors become einherjar. There, when the einherjar are not preparing for the events of Ragnarök, the valkyries bear them mead. Valkyries also appear as lovers of heroes and other mortals, where they are sometimes described as the daughters of royalty, sometimes accompanied by ravens, and sometimes connected to swans.