'See you in Valhalla': How a Viking concept was popularised by the far right

The phrase recently used by the FBI chief has disturbing associations with Nazis and white supremacists who have co-opted Norse mythology for their cause.

- Tom Birkett

The most chilling example of the co-option of the phrase "see you in Valhalla" can be found in the manifestos of far-right terrorists including Brenton Tarrant, who carried out the 2019 mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand.

At a press conference announcing that the suspect in the shooting of Charlie Kirk had been detained, FBI director Kash Patel ended his speech with a personal message to his “brother”, saying: “We have the watch, and I’ll see you in Valhalla.”

Many people commenting on the press conference reacted to this confusing reference to Valhalla with a mixture of amusement and disdain, with some pointing out the contradiction of eulogising a Christian nationalist with reference to the pagan afterlife.

For scholars of the Vikings, Mr Patel’s reference to Valhalla looked like something far more sinister. To understand why, we need to know both what Valhalla meant to the Vikings, and what it means in political discourse today.

The Norse peoples had a developed concept of the afterlife. The desirable destination for Norse warriors was Valhalla, the hall of the slain, where Odin watched over his band of chosen warriors as they prepared for Ragnarok, the world-destroying battle against the giants. Only those who died a heroic death in combat were brought to Valhalla by the Valkyries.

Those who died by sickness, old age or accident or who had committed murder and other dishonourable crimes - seem to have been excluded from this martial afterlife. Some believed that you could cheat the Norse gods by arranging to be buried with deliberately worn and damaged weapons as if you had seen heavy combat. There's a lot we don't know.