Decoding Viking Symbols: The Hidden Meanings
Thor’s Hammer
Thor’s hammer was named Mjolnir, meaning “lightning”. This was a clear reference to Thor’s power as the god of thunder and lightning. The Norse believed that Thor’s hammering caused thunder and lightning during storms.
Thor is an ancient god of war who was beloved by the Vikings. Therefore, his image is quite prominent in Norse mythology. Thor was the son of the earth goddess Fyorgyn and Odin, the chief deity of Norse mythology. According to legend, Mjolnir, Thor’s hammer, had the power to level mountains.
The Valknut
The Valknut is the Norse symbol for death in a battle. The symbol was also known as “Hrungnir’s Heart”, “the Heart of Vala”, “borromean triangles,” and “the Heart of the Slain”. Hrungnir was a legendary giant from the Eddas whose heart is said to be ‘made of hard stone with three sharp-pointed corners.’
The meaning of the symbol is not totally clear, but it is linked to the idea of dying in battle. The word itself is believed to be a combination of the words ‘valr’ meaning ‘slain warrior’ and ‘knut’ meaning ‘knot,’ thus it’s the knot of the slain warrior.
Yggdrasil
Yggdrasil is the tree which holds all of the nine worlds in its branches. An eagle was said to live at the top of the tree, while the dragon Nidhoggr resided at the bottom. Four deer feed from the branches and three old wise women known as the Norns protect it.
As a world tree, the figure of Yggdrasil appears in various forms in many mythologies across the globe. For the Vikings it was also the creator of the first human beings, Ask and Embla, who sprung from its acorns.
The Helm of Awe
The Helm of Awe is a strong Norse symbol for protection from any sort of disease. This Viking symbol shows eight spiked arms surrounding a circle as if they are protecting it from all sides. The Old Norse word for the Helm of Awe is “Ægishjálmr,” which also means “helm of terror.”
Some sources say that the Helm of Awe was worn between the eyes in order to induce fear in the heart of enemies. In the Poetic Edda, the shapeshifting dragon Fafnir suggests that he gets his invincibility from the Helm of Awe.
Ещё видео!