Editing Brunhild (section)

=== Identity as a valkyrie and awakening ===

There is no consensus as to whether Brunhild's identification as a valkyrie in the Norse legends represents an old common Germanic tradition or a late development, unique to the Scandinavian tradition. It is possible that the German Brunhild's immense strength alludes to a mythological past in which she was a valkyrie.{{sfn|Haymes|Samples|1996|p=146}}{{sfn|Gentry|McConnell|Müller|Wunderlich|2011|p=58}}

On the other hand, ''Sigrdrífumál'' gives the valkyrie whom Sigurd awakens another name, and many of the details about the Norse Brunhild do not accord with her being a valkyrie. It is possible that the Norse Sigurd was originally involved with two separate women, a valkyrie and his sister-in-law, who have been "imperfectly merged."{{sfn|Larrington|2014|p=168}}{{sfn|Millet|2008|p=302}} Given the close similarity of Brunhild's awakening in the Scandinavian tradition to the common fairy tale of [[Sleeping Beauty]], some scholars dismiss it as without basis in the original tradition.{{sfn|Uecker|1972|p=32}} The existence of a mountain called ''lectulus Brunihildae'' (Brunhild's bed) in the [[Taunus]] may attest to the awakening story in Germany,{{sfn|Gentry|McConnell|Müller|Wunderlich|2011|p=119}} but it is more likely that this name refers to the historical queen Brunhilda of Austrasia.{{sfn|Gillespie|1973|p=16 n. 2}} The superhuman powers Brunhild displays in both traditions may simply be a narrative way to make her an equal to Sigurd.{{sfn|Millet|2008|p=166}}