Symbols and their meaning

Hugin and Munin.

Hugin and Munin (Old Norse Huginn ok Muninn) are, in Norse mythology, Odin's two ravens, who personify his thought. Hugin means "thought" or "mind", that is "thought". Munin means "memory".

Odin sends the ravens out into the world every day to gather information for him. Hugin and Munin fly over both Asgard and Midgard. They see everything and return to Odin to tell him what they have seen. At home they sit upon his shoulders. According to Grímnismál, Odin is very worried that one day they will not return, especially Munin.

The Tree of Life: Yggdrasil

The branches stretch downward to bind together with the roots in the eternal cycle. The Tree of Life, Arbor Vitae (Latin), exists in many cultures and has different names. In Norse mythology it is known as Yggdrasil and is the centre of the Vikings' worldview; its branches bound together the different worlds and creation as a whole.

Ask and Embla:

The first humans according to Norse mythology.

The Moon:

The symbol of life, death and rebirth.

Pentagram:

Fire, air, water, earth and the soul (the Universe, the Ether)

Triskele:

The triskele symbol, also known as Odin's horns, represents three drinking horns. There is a story behind this symbol. Odin came to the giantess Gunnlöð to obtain the mead of poetry (skáldskaparmjöðr). He negotiated for three nights to get three sips of the mead.

Today the symbol is interpreted in various ways, for example as protection against misfortune, as a way of warding off evil, or as a path in life. There are many speculations about what the triskele meant in the past. The most widespread meanings are birth - life - death, or past - present - future.

Thor's Hammer / Mjolnir:

Thor, Odin's son and one of the most popular gods, would be nothing without his famous hammer, Mjolnir.

This magical object, always with Thor, would automatically return to him after being thrown.

When the Vikings heard thunder or saw lightning, they believed it was Thor using his hammer in battle against giants.

Mjolnir was not only a weapon used to kill giants but also a symbol of protection and security.

For a long time, and still today, it is common for Nordic people to wear Mjolnir as a pendant for protection and strength.

Vegvisir:

Vegvisir is a well-known symbol that is perhaps
best recognised from Iceland and its folklore.
The symbol is a Galdur (magic stave).

Vegvisir appears in the Icelandic collection of magic staves, the Huld Manuscript from the 1800s by Geir Vigfusson, and in Galdraskræða Skugga by Jochum Eggertsson from 1940. According to the author, Galdraskræða Skugga is said to contain material from earlier sources. Unfortunately, Jochum Eggertsson did not state what those sources were.

In the Huld Manuscript, the following text appears about the Vegvisir:
"Beri maður stafi þessa á sér villist maður ekki í hríðum né vondu veðri þó ókunnugur sá."
Translation:
"If this sign is carried, one will never lose one's way in storms or bad weather, even when the way is unknown."

The name itself means "way-finder" - "vegur" means way/road and "vísir" means pointer.
This symbol has eight branches that meet in the centre.
Some people believe that the 8 branches represent the cardinal points (north, south, west, east, northwest, northeast, southwest, southeast), while others believe that the 8 branches represent the 8 worlds of Norse mythology, with the centre representing the 9th world, Midgard, the world of humans.

Vegvisir is a very powerful symbol. A spiritual compass.

It is believed that this symbol had the power to guide those who wore it in the right direction, for those who had lost their way.

In general custom it is also used as a talisman for luck, protection and blessings.

For those who believe in the magical powers of the Norse shamans, the Vegvisir would guide your heart and your steps to make the right choices in your life, and help you find your way back to your self-confidence when you had lost yourself and your faith.

Ægishjálmur

Ægishjálmur or the Helm of Awe, which etymologically means "helm of Ægir", Ægir meaning terror/dread. Ægir is also the name of the god of the sea. It is usually defined as the Helm of Awe, and references to it appear in the Poetic Edda and the Völsunga Saga, where it is mentioned by name in the Poetic Edda, Fáfnismál, and in the Völsunga Saga.
In the Poetic Edda it is mentioned as a helm of terror, but although the word "helm" appears in the name, it was in all likelihood not an actual helmet; its structure and design bear no recognisable form of a helmet, and the Edda itself notes that the object is not a helmet but rather a general covering that surrounds the wearer with an overwhelming power to frighten and subdue their enemies. The effect is concentrated in or between the eyes.

Valknut

The Valknut, also known as Odin's knot, is a symbol mostly related to the cult of the dead.

This symbol is found on memorial stones for Vikings and would also be associated with Odin, since Odin or his Valkyries are the ones who guide the souls of fallen Norse warriors to the various Norse afterlives, such as Valhalla or Hel.

The Valknut is essentially the symbol for accompanying the fallen in battle.

It is also said that in the symbol itself, the nine corners of the triangles each represent one of the nine worlds of the Norse universe, united by Yggdrasil. The Valknut has been given another name, "Hrungnir's Heart," related to a story about the legendary giant of the Eddas.

This symbol shows the gods' power over death and can also be used as a talisman to protect against evil spirits.

It is also called: The Heart of the Slain, Vala's Heart, Rungnir's Heart and Odin's Knot.

Wolf Cross