Valravn

The ballad "Valravnen" has the type DgF 60/TSB A 17. The earliest version of the ballad 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 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" (). Versions B and D were written down in Svanings Håndskrift (), circa 1580, by unnamed assistants hired by historian 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. ==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. 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. In the Nordic-themed video game expansion Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds, Valravn appear as quadrupedal, winged beasts with sharp beaks that seek to consume a child's heart so they can be transformed into a Valravn Knight, loosely adapting the Danish folk tale. Valravn is the name of Cedar Point's 2016 dive roller coaster. The 2020 album and song by Gealdýr is called "Valravn". ==See also==