Tapestries
Description: Yggdrasil, the Tree of Life, is not only one of the most prominent Viking symbols/Norse symbols but an important element of the Norse faith itself. According to Norse mythology, Yggdrasil is the Great Tree that connects the nine worlds/nine realms of the universe, namely Asgard, Midgard, Muspelheim, Jotunheim, Vanaheim, Niflheim, Alfheim, Svartalfheim, Helheim. That is why Yggdrasil is considered the symbol of the interconnectedness of all things in the universe.
Description: A vegvísir (Icelandic 'sign post' or 'wayfinder') is an Icelandic magical stave intended to help the bearer find their way through rough weather. The symbol is attested in the Huld Manuscript, collected in Iceland by Geir Vigfusson in 1880 (but consisting of material of earlier origin). The symbol was frequently inscribed on seagoing vessels to insure their safe return home. It has also long played an important role among people who believe in magic powers, such as Norse Shamans. As a spiritual compass, this magical device guides your heart and steps to make the right choices in life. If you have lost yourself and your faith, this sacred symbol helps you find confidence again.
Description: A vegvísir (Icelandic 'sign post' or 'wayfinder') is an Icelandic magical stave intended to help the bearer find their way through rough weather. The symbol is attested in the Huld Manuscript, collected in Iceland by Geir Vigfusson in 1880 (but consisting of material of earlier origin). The symbol was frequently inscribed on seagoing vessels to insure their safe return home. It has also long played an important role among people who believe in magic powers, such as Norse Shamans. As a spiritual compass, this magical device guides your heart and steps to make the right choices in life. If you have lost yourself and your faith, this sacred symbol helps you find confidence again.
Description: According to the myth, Odin used his wit to convince the giantess Gunnlöð and bargained with her to have a sip of the mead for three days. Allowed only one sip per day, he used a whole horn for each time thus managing to drink all of the Mead of Poetry which helped him escape by turning into an eagle. Today, apart from identifying oneself as Norse, the Triple Horn of Odin is used as a symbol of wisdom and inspiration, poetic inspiration in particular.
Description: According to the belief, two dwarves named Fjalar and Galar killed Kvasir – a being created from the spit of Vanir and Æsir/Aesir (the two groups of gods in Norse mythology) who knew everything and could answer every question. The dwarves mixed Kvasir’s blood with honey and poured it in three horns named Óðrœrir/Odhroerir, Boðn and Són. According to the myth, Odin used his wit to convince the giantess Gunnlöð and bargained with her to have a sip of the mead for three days. Allowed only one sip per day, he used a whole horn for each time thus managing to drink all of the Mead of Poetry which helped him escape by turning into an eagle. Today, apart from identifying oneself as Norse, the Triple Horn of Odin is used as a symbol of wisdom.
Description: Gungnir is the name of the mighty spear that belongs to the god Odin. As you’d expect for the weapon of a god, Gungnir is no ordinary spear. It was created by the dwarves, the most skilled smiths in the cosmos, as is related in the tale of how the gods’ greatest treasures were made. Gungnir is said to have runes carved on its point, which presumably increase its aim and deadliness through magic. In the war between the two tribes of gods, Odin led the Aesir gods into battle against the Vanir. He began the battle by hurling his spear over the enemy host and crying, “Óðinn á yðr alla!” (“Odin owns all of you!”).
Description: The Valknut is one of the most widely-discussed yet enigmatic of all of the symbols that appear in connection with Norse mythology. Visually, it’s comprised of three interlocking triangles. Archaeologically, it appears on several rune stones and pictorial memorial stones that date from the Viking Age and stand on the Swedish island of Gotland, as well as on grave goods from the Oseberg ship burial in Norway. In the archaeological record, the Valknut appears only in connection with the cult of the dead, as in the aforementioned rune stones and ship burial. Similar-looking symbols can also be found on the cremation urns of the Anglo-Saxons, another Germanic people closely related to the Norse linguistically, ethnically, and in terms of their
Description: As one of the lesser-known Viking symbols, the Web of Wyrd is a symbol in Norse mythology that represents the interconnectedness of past, present and future. According to the myth, the Web of Wyrd was woven by the Norns/Nornir, the Shapers of Destiny in Norse mythology. The symbol comprised of nine staves contains all the runes thus symbolizing all ‘the possibilities’ the past, present and future brought and might bring. It is also called ‘Skuld’s net’ as Skuld was believed to be one of the Norns that wove the web.
Description: There are nine worlds in Norse Mythology, they are called Niflheim, Muspelheim, Asgard, Midgard, Jotunheim, Vanaheim, Alfheim, Svartalfheim, Helheim. The nine worlds in Norse mythology are held in the branches and roots of the world tree Yggdrasil. These realms are the home of different kind of beings, like the home of the Gods and Goddesses or giants.
