Valhalla vs. Heaven — What's the Difference?

In Norse mythology, Valhalla (; from Old Norse: Valhǫll "hall of the slain") is a majestic, enormous hall located in Asgard, ruled over by the god Odin. Half of those who die in combat travel to Valhalla upon death, led by valkyries to be with Odin, while the other half gets chosen by the goddess Freyja for the field Fólkvangr.

Heaven or the heavens, is a common religious cosmological or transcendent supernatural place where beings such as gods, angels, spirits, saints, or venerated ancestors are said to originate, be enthroned, or reside. According to the beliefs of some religions, heavenly beings can descend to Earth or incarnate and earthly beings can ascend to Heaven in the afterlife or, in exceptional cases, enter Heaven alive.

The hall in which Odin received the souls of slain heroes.

Often heavens The sky or universe as seen from the earth; the firmament.

The palace of immortality, inhabited by the souls of heroes slain in battle.

Often Heaven The abode of God, the angels, and the souls of those who are granted salvation.

Fig.: A hall or temple adorned with statues and memorials of a nation's heroes; specifically, the Pantheon near Ratisbon, in Bavaria, consecrated to the illustrious dead of all Germany.

An eternal state of communion with God; everlasting bliss.

(Norse mythology) the hall in which Odin received the souls of slain heroes

Any of the places in or beyond the sky conceived of as domains of divine beings in various religions.

Heaven God

Heavens Used in various phrases to express surprise

Often heavens The celestial powers; the gods

A condition or place of great happiness, delight, or pleasure

The sky, specifically:

The distant sky in which the sun, moon, and stars appear or move; the firmament; the celestial spheres.

(obsolete) The near sky in which weather, flying animals, etc. appear; (obsolete) the atmosphere; the climate.

(obsolete) A model displaying the movement of the celestial bodies, an orrery.

(religion) The abode of God or the gods, traditionally conceived as beyond the sky; especially:

The abode of God and of the angels and saints in His presence.

The abode of the Abrahamic God; similar abodes of the gods in other religions and traditions, such as Mount Olympus.

Providence, the will of God or the council of the gods; fate.

(religion) The afterlife of the blessed dead, traditionally conceived as opposed to an afterlife of the wicked and unjust (compare hell); specifically:

Paradise, the afterlife of the souls who are not sent to a place of punishment or purification such as hell, purgatory, or limbo; the state or condition of being in the presence of God after death.

The afterlife of the blessed dead in other religions and traditions, such as the Pure Land or Elysium.

(by extension) Any paradise; any blissful place or experience.

(by extension) A state of bliss; a peaceful ecstasy.

Similarly blissful afterlives, places, or states for particular people, animals, or objects.

(obsolete) To transport to the abode of God, the gods, or the blessed.

(obsolete) To beatify, enchant, or please greatly.

(obsolete) To beautify, to make into a paradise.

The expanse of space surrounding the earth; esp., that which seems to be over the earth like a great arch or dome; the firmament; the sky; the place where the sun, moon, and stars appear; - often used in the plural in this sense.

The dwelling place of the Deity; the abode of bliss; the place or state of the blessed after death.

The sovereign of heaven; God; also, the assembly of the blessed, collectively; - used variously in this sense, as in No. 2.; as, heaven helps those who help themselves.

Any place of supreme happiness or great comfort; perfect felicity; bliss; a sublime or exalted condition; as, a heaven of delight.

To place in happiness or bliss, as if in heaven; to beatify.

Any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

The abode of God and the angels