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Valhalla- In Scandinavian mythology, the gold and silver palace of Odin, wherein were received the souls of heroes slain in battle. Each morning the heroes went out of the palace and fought until noon. All wounds were then healed, and the heroes, under the presidency of Odin, assembled to feast, being served by the battle maidens, or Valkyries.
Valkyries- The battle maidens of Scandinavian mythology. Mounted on swift horses, they rushed into battle with drawn swords and, selecting those destined to death, they conducted them to Valhalla. The number of Valkyries differs greatly according to the various mythologists, and ranges from three to sixteen. They are generally mentioned, however, as being only nine.
Vayu- The spirit of the air in Hindu mythology. His wife Angana was a celestial nymph, who was compelled by a curse to assume the form of a monkey. Their son was the monkey god Hanuman, who led the monkeys in support of the god Rama when the latter was battling to recover his wife Siva from the demon Ravana.
Venus- The Roman goddess of women, identified with the Greek Aphrodite, goddess of beauty and love. She is said to have sprung from the foam of the sea, and to have been immediately carried to the abode of the gods on Olympus, where they were all charmed with her extreme beauty. According to other legends she was the daughter of Jupiter and Dione. Sparrows and doves were customarily yoked to her chariot; the sight of her girdle inspired all hearts with passion for the wearer; and her son Cupid was her attendant and minister. The myrtle was sacred to her. Her favorite residence was at Cyprus. Venus was the paramour of Mars. Among mortal men, she loved Anchises, by whom she became the mother of Æneas, and Adonis, whose untimely death left her inconsolable. One of her tasks was to restore harmonious relations for couples who had quarreled.
Vesta- The Roman goddess of the hearth-fire. Æneas was believed to have brought the eternal fire of Vesta from Troy, along with the images of the penates; the prætors, consuls, and dictators, before entering upon their official functions, sacrificed, not only to the penates, but also to Vesta at Lavinium. Similarly, in the house, sacrifices were offered to Vesta at the hearth, and the common meal eaten about the hearth was regarded as an act of worship for her. At Rome, six maidens were chosen to serve for 30 years as priestesses of Vesta. They were known as vestal virgins and took a vow of chastity, the breaking of which involved the penalty of being buried alive. The duty of the vestal virgins was to tend the scared fire of the city. If the fire went out as a result of their negligence, the penalty was scourging. This custom was probably a survival from the days when it was difficult to obtain fire and when, consequently, the fire once kindled had to be guarded with the utmost care. The office of vestal virgins was highly honored in Rome and was most sought after by distinguished families.
Vishnu- One of the great deities of the Hindu triad, ranking as the “Preserver,” after Brahma, the “Creator,” and before Siva, the “Destroyer.” It is believed that he has appeared on earth nine times, his tenth avatar, or incarnation, having yet to come.
Votán- The deity supposed to have taught the people of Chiapus (Mexico) the arts of civilization.
Vulcan- The Roman god of fire, identified with the Greek Hephæstus. He was the son of Jupiter and Juno and became lame by being thrown out of heaven by Jupiter for taking Juno’s part in a quarrel. He wrought skillfully at a forge, where he produced tripods that came and departed automatically and many other wonders, including Pandora, the first woman. Venus is usually represented as his wife. Vulcan is represented in art as a middle-aged man having a beard and unkempt hair. Relay torch races were sometimes held in his honor, probably to symbolize the bringing of fire from heaven to mankind or the transference of the sacred element to replace a fire that had become extinguished. Such ceremonies hark back to a time when fire was difficult to kindle.
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