![]() Odin had the power to lay bonds upon the mind, so that men became helpless in battle, and he could also loosen the tensions of fear and strain by his gifts of battle-madness, intoxication, and inspiration. The most reliable historians on the subject seem to lean towards the Valknutr symbolizing the power of Odin to bind and unbind the fates of men and specifically to death and sacrifice, including by English scholar and Celtic, Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse specialist HR Ellis Davidson in her Gods and Myths of Northern Europe. This is thought to symbolize the power of the god to bind and unbind – in Gods and Myths of Northern Europe, HR Ellis Davidson The Norwegian name is shared with the “looped square” symbol (⌘) which is a symbol also used to designate places of interest in the Nordics (and also seen on picture stones from the Iron and Viking Ages) and other European countries.īeside the figure of Odin on his horse shown on several memorial stones there is a kind of knot depicted, called the valknut, related to the triskele. Only, we don’t actually have any evidence to suggest that the Norsemen used to call it this. The name Valknútr is actually a fairly recent Norwegian name for the symbol (first attributed to this symbol in 1945), and is made up of two words, valr (“warrior”) and knútr (“knot”) - so it would literally mean “knot of warriors”. Valknut Etymology: Origins and Alternative Names Despite its use by some supremacist groups, the Nordic Valknut is still seen as a symbol of courage and power, and remains an authentic part of Norse mythology. Today, the Valknut is often used in tattoos and art to signify courage and strength. However, many believe that it was used to symbolize life and death, as well as a connection to the Valkyries, the female warriors in Norse mythology. 800-825 CE)ĭespite having found the symbol on so many Viking Age runestones in and around Scandinavia, the meaning of the symbol is still uncertain to historians, and it is unclear as well what exactly it symbolized for the Vikings. Valknut inscribed on a bedpost found in the Oseberg Ship Burial in Norway (c. Can I wear a Valknut or will it be misinterpreted by others?.The massive Swedish forestry company SCA.The German Football Association (Deutsche Fußball Bund).Symbols Related to Valknut in Slavic Mythology. ![]() Different variations of the Valknut symbol.A Symbol of The Nine Worlds (The Neo-Pagan Theory).A Germanic Symbol of Prestige & Riches (The Scaetta Theory).A Symbol of Life, Death, and Eternity (The Universal Theory).A Symbol of the Ideal, Steady Heart of the Brave Slain Hero, Dead Warriors, or That of a Worthy Adversary (The Romantic Theory).A Symbol of The Heart of Hrungnir or Heart of the Slain (The Heart Theory).A Symbol of the Power of Odin to Bind and Unbind the Fates of Men (The Most Likely Theory).What Does the Valknut Actually Mean and Symbolize? Explaining All the Theories.Valknut Etymology: Origins and Alternative Names.The Appearance of the Valknut, Earliest Known Use & Associations.These different elements tie back to powerful gods such as Odin and Thor, highlighting their importance in Norse mythology. Guidance, fate, destiny, power, and authority are just some of the themes seen in this symbology. There are clear geographical elements that connect these to the larger culture, and these symbols depict the values that were most important to them during that time. However, on a granular level, these symbols were also indicative of everyday life in ancient Nordic culture and what was most important to them. These served as a way to invoke the gods, and emblems to decorate their clothing and scare off the enemy. These symbols existed alongside their runes to create a rich tapestry of symbology that was grounded in both fortune-telling and preserving their mythology. There is also debate in the actual origin of these symbols and their creation. While the meanings remain under debate, there is clear evidence to reinforce their definitions. These symbols were used both before and during the Viking era. The symbols hold a lot of meaning and are meant to succinctly communicate Norse wisdom as well as the formidable power the gods were believed to hold. The symbols were associated with gods and mythology and a way to connect the deities to their powers. General Norse description Norse Symbols Nordic culture is heavily reliant on symbols, as it is a representation of their faith and beliefs.
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