Valravn

A valravn is a supernatural raven in Danish renaissance folklore. It principally appears in the folk ballad "Valravnen" () where it is depicted as a knight, who was transformed into a raven, and whose curse can only be broken by consuming the blood of a boy.

Folk ballad

The ballad "Valravnen" has the type DgF 60/TSB A 17. The earliest version of the balled is known from Jens Billes Håndskrift (), dated to 1555-1559, though the ballad is thought to have originated in the late Middle Ages. The following is the second-oldest version of the ballad, version B:

Ballad versions

There are generally agreed to be six primary versions of this ballad, titled A, B, C, D, E, and F, with C having four derived versions (Cabcd) and F having eight derived versions (Fabcdefgh).

Version A (the earliest version) follows a significantly different structure than the rest, which has led some to consider it a transitional version between the ballad "Germand Gladensvend" (DgF 33/TSB A 74) and the later versions of "Valravnen." Version Fa was authored by Anders Sørensen Vedel in 1590, as a rewrite or "summary" of all the versions known to him at the time. Version Fb is a 1590 rewrite of Vedel's version for the purpose of publication in leaflets and pamphlets. Versions Fcdefgh are rewrites of version Fb from the 1800s. Thus, version A and versions Fabcdefgh are considered non-canonical, or "non-independent."

Version A is the only pre-1800s version of the ballad that refers to the transformed bird as "valravn," and it only does so in the sentences "vilde valle ravn," "vilden vallen ravn" () and "vilden valravn" (). As "vallen" is a nonsense word, some linguists have speculated that "valravn" may be an example of alliteration.

Versions B and D were written down in Svanings Håndskrift (), circa 1580, by unnamed assistants hired by historiann Hans Svaning. In these versions the bird is referred to as "Volffuer vilde ravn" and "villen vallen-ravn," respectively, with "Volffuer" being an old Danish male name.

Version Ca was written down in Langebek's Folio, circa 1630. Versions Cbcd are rewrites of Ca. All these versions refer to the bird as "Vilden Verne-ravn." There is some speculation about the meaning of the word "Verne" in this ballad. According to Grundtvig, it may share its origins with the Old English word "were," meaning "man," as seen in werewolf.

Version E was written down in Anna Munks Håndskrift in 1591. In this version, the bird is referred to as "Salman vilde ravn," with Salman being an old Danish male name.

The word "valravn" additionally shows up in some versions of the ballads "Valravn og Dankongen" and "Dansen paa Riberhus" as the name of a knight, albeit with a different pronunciation (emphasis on the syllable "ravn," rather than the syllable "val").

Folklore

In 1893 Evald Tang Kristensen published a collection of 2243 folk tales. Number 120 of chapter C mentions the valravn:

This anecdote was provided by Peder Johansen, a mill worker from Skanderborg. Peder Johansen (b: April 15, 1855, d: November 24, 1928) was described as an eccentric entertainer, who liked to tell tales after a few drinks. Many of his stories were passed down by his grandfather during Peder's childhood, and Peder would do his best to recount them when Evald Tang Kristensen pulled him aside at a fastelavn party, where this anecdote was likely recorded.

This is the only known source for the idea that valravne are ravens given human speech, rather than humans transformed into ravens, and that they have a connection to battlefields.

Heraldry

The heraldic charge that combines a wolf and an eagle is known as a valravn. It is the charge of the now-extinct Ulfeldt family's coat of arms.

Interpretations and theories

According to 19th century scholar Jacob Grimm, the "''vilde ravn or vilde valravn''" ("wild raven or wild valravn") take "exactly the place of the diabolical '' trold''" in Danish folk songs. Grimm proposes an Old High German equivalent to the Danish ''valravn''; *walahraban.

Modern influence

The Valravn has inspired occasional pop culture references, including an early 20th century book of short stories as well as the Faroese musical group bearing the name, who play a form of traditional music.

The folk ballad was reinterpreted by the electro-folk band Sorten Muld and became a hit for them in 1997, under the title ''Ravnen''.

''Valravn'' was the title of a Danish Germanic Neopagan magazine published from 2002 to 2007.''Valravn'' magazine online

All issues for download

/ref> The name is also mentioned in Danish children's books.

The 2017 video game '' Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice'' features Valravn as "god of illusion", a stage boss the player must defeat to proceed in the game.

Valravn appear as an enemy in the 5th bestiary of the ''Pathfinder Roleplaying Game'', using Grimm's ''Vilderavn'' moniker for the creature.

Valravn is the name of Cedar Point's 2016 dive roller coaster.

The 2020 album and song by Gealdýr is called "Valravn".

See also

* Helhest, a three-legged horse that appears in graveyards in Danish folklore
*Werewolf, a man transformed into a wolf
*Huginn and Muninn, the ravens of the god Odin in Norse mythology

References

{{Scandinavian folklore

Legendary birds
Scandinavian folklore
Scandinavian legendary creatures
Ravens