Description: The Green Man is a symbolic figure often depicted as a face surrounded by or made of leaves and vines. It represents nature, rebirth, and the cycle of life, death, and regeneration. Commonly found in ancient and medieval architecture, particularly in European churches and buildings, the Green Man is believed to embody the spirit of the forest and the power of nature's renewal. While its origins are unclear, the Green Man has been interpreted in various ways over time, often associated with pagan deities, seasonal rituals, and the natural world.
Description: In Norse mythology, Frost Giants, or Jotnar, are powerful beings associated with cold, ice, and chaos. Originating from Jotunheim, one of the Nine Realms, they are often depicted as adversaries of the gods, particularly the Aesir. Despite their opposition, Frost Giants play a vital role in the cosmic balance and are involved in many myths, including Ragnarok, the prophesied end of the world. They symbolize nature's untamed forces and the ever-present struggle between order and chaos.
Description: In Norse mythology, Valkyries are powerful warrior maidens who serve Odin, choosing those who will die and those who will live in battle. They guide the souls of fallen heroes to Valhalla, Odin's hall, where these warriors prepare for Ragnarok, the end of the world. Often depicted as fierce, beautiful, and honorable, Valkyries symbolize strength, fate, and loyalty, embodying the link between life, death, and the afterlife in Viking culture.
Description: Donn Cúailnge, or the Brown Bull of Cooley, is a mighty and prized bull in Irish mythology, central to the epic Táin Bó Cúailnge ("The Cattle Raid of Cooley"). Coveted by Queen Medb of Connacht for its legendary strength and status, Donn's possession sparks a massive conflict between Connacht and Ulster. The bull symbolizes wealth, pride, and honor in ancient Irish culture, and its story highlights themes of rivalry, fate, and heroism.
Description: Gungnir is the legendary spear wielded by Odin, the chief god in Norse mythology. Crafted by the dwarves, it is renowned for its perfect aim, never missing its target once thrown. Gungnir symbolizes authority, power, and precision, often associated with Odin's role as a god of war and wisdom.
Description: Gungnir is the powerful spear of Odin, the chief god in Norse mythology. Forged by the skilled dwarves known as the Sons of Ivaldi, Gungnir is famed for its precision, never missing its mark when thrown. It is also a symbol of authority and power, often associated with Odin's role as a god of war and wisdom. In mythology, Gungnir is sometimes linked to the concept of fate, as its strikes were believed to be inevitable, much like destiny itself.
Description: The punishment of Loki is a significant event in Norse mythology, following his role in the death of the god Baldr. After Baldr's death, the gods captured Loki, who had fled and taken on various disguises. Once caught, Loki was bound in a cave as punishment. The gods used the entrails of his son, Vali, to bind him to three stones, one under his shoulders, one under his loins, and one under his knees. A venomous serpent was placed above Loki's head, dripping poison onto his face. To ease his suffering, Loki's wife, Sigyn, stood by his side, catching the venom in a bowl. However, whenever she had to empty the bowl, the poison would drip onto Loki, causing him to writhe in agony, which was said to cause earthquakes.
Description: Ratatoskr is a squirrel from Norse mythology known for its role as a messenger on Yggdrasil, the World Tree. He scurries up and down the tree, carrying messages and insults between the eagle that perches atop Yggdrasil and the dragon Níðhöggr, who gnaws at its roots. Ratatoskr's actions stir up animosity between these two creatures, contributing to the tension and chaos within the Norse cosmos. His name roughly translates to "drill-tooth" or "gnaw-tooth." Despite being a minor figure, Ratatoskr's role highlights the theme of communication—and miscommunication—in the mythological world.
Description: Bears have been a prominent feature in mythology and legend. Perhaps most notably by the Norse berserker warriors that looked to channel the bear’s strength and ferocity by wearing bear skins into battle. The bear has been an admired creature throughout many cultures throughout history. Bjorn is a name of Germanic origin meaning "bear."
Description: In Norse mythology, there lived a great beast. A wolf, but not just any wolf. This wolf is the son of Loki (how a humanoid fathers a wolf I surely don't know, but it's mythology so we won't overthink it) and the father of ALL wolves. The legend of Fenrir has many interesting stories attached to it, but perhaps the most well known is how Fenrir came to bite off the hand of the Nordic god, Týr (from whom we get "Týrsday, or Tuesday as it is now known). Týr was brave enough to place his hand INSIDE the mouth of Fenrir while the other Nordic god's bound Fenrir with a magical ribbon made by the dwarves. Fenrir, who was able to break every other chain up until the magical dwarf ribbon was unable to free himself, and bit off Týr's hand...
Description: Celtic HammerClub 11:35 AM (8 minutes ago) to me Celtic and Nordic lore is rife with stories of mysterious, shapeshifting creatures of the sea. The Selkies are mythological creatures that can change between human and seal form by donning or removing their seal skin. The legends of the selkies and their counterparts known by other names are by no surprise most prevalent amongst the seafaring cultures of the British, Faroe and Icelandic islands. Be wary though. The selkies can be friend or foe!
Description: Stags have played a prominent role in mythologies and folklore throughout history. Their speed, agility, strength, and virility was and is admired to this day. Stags are often portrayed as stewards of the forest and nature. Their antlers form a sort of crown on their head and many gods and legendary figures feature similar antlers on their heads indicating the prominent status the stag held throughout the ages. This artwork depicts two stags facing off against each other about to lock their powerful antlers creating an almost heraldic look to the piece.
Description: Stags have played a prominent role in mythologies and folklore throughout history. Their speed, agility, strength, and virility was and is admired to this day. Stags are often portrayed as stewards of the forest and nature. Their antlers form a sort of crown on their head and many gods and legendary figures feature similar antlers on their heads indicating the prominent status the stag held throughout the ages. This artwork depicts two stags facing off against each other about to lock their powerful antlers creating an almost heraldic look to the piece.
Description: The Three Morrigna are sisters who are three different iterations of the same goddess. This collective trinity goddess is often referred to in the singular as The Morrigan. The Morrigan is mentioned often throughout Irish mythology. The Name Morrigan translates into “Great Queen” or “Phantom Queen.” She is a shape shifter, often appearing as a raven or crow, and a goddess of war; often influencing the progression and outcome of battles. She and her sisters also prophesize the coming death of soldiers and by appearing as a woman washing their bloody armor as an omen of their impending doom.
Description: Ravens and/or crows hold a prominent place throughout Celtic and Norse mythology. The crow is associated with the Celtic goddess The Morrigan and her two sisters. The Norse god, Odin, has two raven companions and is often represented by ravens and raven symbols. These intelligent birds have captured our ancestors’ imaginations and inspired for millennia!
Description: The Badb Catha (Battle Crow) is one of three iterations of war goddess collectively known as the Morrigna. The Morrigna are mentioned throughout Irish mythology and are said to foreshadow death and influence fate and the outcome of battles. The Battle Crow in particular is associated with striking fear and confusion in soldiers engaging in battle. The Morrigna are a prominent and terrifying motif in ancient Celtic mythology.
Description: “Celtic War Machine” is an image depicting several implements of Celtic warfare including the mighty chariot, sword, spears, and the CARNYX (Celtic war trumpet). The Celts were known to go into battle riding chariots. The use of chariots in battle continued on in the British Isles long after their use had ceased in other parts of the world making the chariot a symbol for Celtic warfare along with the Carnyx, a tall trumpet instrument unique to the Celts used to intimidate opponents and inspire their troops. The horned helmets on the horses are based on actual archaeological finds. Imagine the image a Celtic charioteer being hauled into battle by two horned horses accompanied by a deafening blaring of war trumpets!
Description: “Celtic War Machine” is an image depicting several implements of Celtic warfare including the mighty chariot, sword, spears, and the CARNYX (Celtic war trumpet). The Celts were known to go into battle riding chariots. The use of chariots in battle continued on in the British Isles long after their use had ceased in other parts of the world making the chariot a symbol for Celtic warfare along with the Carnyx, a tall trumpet instrument unique to the Celts used to intimidate opponents and inspire their troops. The horned helmets on the horses are based on actual archaeological finds. Imagine the image a Celtic charioteer being hauled into battle by two horned horses accompanied by a deafening blaring of war trumpets!
Description: This is an artistic rendition of a clan of Celtic warriors on the march to battle! I leave it open to interpretation what tribe of Celts these guys are. They could be Gauls or Britons on the march to kick some Roman butt. They could be Picts on the march to battle with invading Saxons. They could be Gaels looking to put down a rival clan. Regardless of how you see it, the ogham inscription at the center sews a common thread among all interpretations. It reads, “VICTORY!”
Description: This is an artistic rendition of a clan of Celtic warriors on the march to battle! I leave it open to interpretation what tribe of Celts these guys are. They could be Gauls or Britons on the march to kick some Roman butt. They could be Picts on the march to battle with invading Saxons. They could be Gaels looking to put down a rival clan. Regardless of how you see it, the ogham inscription at the center sews a common thread among all interpretations. It reads, “VICTORY!”
Description: Ragnar Lothbrok is a semi mythological figure from the Viking age. His exploits are recorded in most annals and sagas in Northwestern Europe from the Irish Annals to the Icelandic sagas. This epic figure from the North sea met his fate as he was Captured by King Aella of Northumbria (Northern England) and executed by being thrown in a pit of snakes. This artwork depicts Ranar's fate; the pit of snakes that was to lead to his death.
Description: “Krampus time is here. All the children live in fear.” Krampus is a very olyd Yuletide character with pre-Christian roots. He’s from a time before CocaCola Santa when Christmas and mid-winter festivals were a much more scary time of year. Krampus would punish misbehaving children, and his status as an anti-hero has made the Christmas Demon popular once again!
Description: Bears have been a prominent feature in mythology and legend. Perhaps most notably by the Norse berserker warriors that looked to channel the bear’s strength and ferocity by wearing bear skins into battle. The bear has been an admired creature throughout many cultures throughout history. Bjorn is a name of Germanic origin meaning "bear."
Description: Bears have been a prominent feature in mythology and legend. Perhaps most notably by the Norse berserker warriors that looked to channel the bear’s strength and ferocity by wearing bear skins into battle. The bear has been an admired creature throughout many cultures throughout history.
Description: The Valkyries, whose name means “chooser of the slain” are prominent figures in Old Norse mythology. They are female entities who preside over battles selecting those who died fighting valiantly to spend their afterlife in the halls of Valhalla where the Valkyries serve them mead as they plan for the events of Ragnarök. My artwork depicts a Valkyrie carrying a slain warrior to the halls of Valhalla behind her.
Description: The Valkyries, whose name means “chooser of the slain” are prominent figures in Old Norse mythology. They are female entities who preside over battles selecting those who died fighting valiantly to spend their afterlife in the halls of Valhalla where the Valkyries serve them mead as they plan for the events of Ragnarök. My artwork depicts a Valkyrie carrying a slain warrior to the halls of Valhalla behind her.
