ANTIQUE NAUTICALS Viking Troll Cross Pendant Iron Hand Made

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In Sweden and Norway, a trollkors [1] or troll cross is a bent piece of iron worn as an amulet to ward off malevolent magic, allegedly stemming from medieval Sweden. According to those claiming its authenticity it represented the Norse symbol of protection; thus if a Norseman wore this symbol, they believed that chances of falling into danger would decrease. However, although commonly thought of as a part of Swedish folklore, it was first created—as an item of jewelry—by the smith Kari Erlands from western Dalarna, sometime in the late 1990s. It was claimed to have been a copy of a protective rune found at her grandparents' farm, but this has not been verified. While it does bear some resemblance to the othala rune in Elder Futhark and Anglo-Saxon runic writing systems, it is more likely that Erlands mistook a Bumerke for a protective symbol.

If you want your body art to tell a story, then opting for a rune tattoo is a wonderful way to do this. The runes are an ancient Viking alphabet of sorts designed to describe places and things. There are 24 of them, each with important symbolism. These include representations for Odin and Yggdrasil. You can combine several runes to create meaningful ink or opt for a single one. Thanks to the relative simplicity of these symbols, it is easy to recreate them in several sizes, either big or small, which gives you the option to play around with placement options. Maybe you love finger tattoos, in which case this is fantastic. Or perhaps you want a large piece along your rib or spine? The choice is yours. In that sense, Huginn and Muninn are considered as symbols of Odin and his powers. What Did Ravens Mean To Vikings? 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. Norse mythology teaches us that runes are not created by mankind, but are a part of their divine world. They are as old as Yggdrasil - the Tree of Life, and they are carved on its trunk. Runes held such a power that even Odin, the All-father, was willing to suffer a great deal to understand them. (Although that is a whole other myth that you can read here.)

Trolls of the caves

Ravens were revered in the Norse culture. Many Viking earls and kings, including Ragnar Lothbrok, used ravens on their banners. He was conceived when Loki turned into a mare to sabotage the construction of the walls surrounding Asgard, by seducing Svaðilfari, a stallion of the giant who built the wall. This makes Sleipnir the brother of Fenrir the Wolf, and Jörmungandr, the World Serpent. Gungnir is a powerful artifact inscribed with magic runes, so it will never miss its target. It is quite extraordinary, but what else can we expect from a weapon wielded by the All-father himself?! It can sometimes become difficult to tell the difference between a troll and someone who just genuinely wants to argue about a topic. However, here are a few tell-tale signs that someone is actively trolling.

The Helm of Awe or Aegishjalmur is one of the most popular choices for a Viking-inspired tattoo. Not only is it fascinating to look at, but it is also rich in symbolism; it is a magical stave that warriors wore as a symbol of protection, but they also believe it gave them strength and courage and helped them to victory in battle. It may have been inked between their eyebrows or somewhere exceptionally visible, although you do not have to opt for a location that is quite so daring. This striking piece is also a conversation starter, so choose your placement wisely and wear it with pride. Norse mythology has many myths involving dragons and giant serpents. Even the Viking longships are known as "dragon ships," indicating the importance of Dragons in Norse culture. Often seen being gripped by his right hand, Gungnir is a symbol that’s considered to be Odin’s trademark as a war god. According to the Ynglinga Saga, Odin would throw Gungnir to frighten his enemies. Signifying power, protection, and authority, Gungnir is also called ‘the Eternal Spear’ or ‘the Declaration of Lord God.’ Its name also means ‘penetrating,’ because it is said to be so powerful that it always hits the target once it’s thrown out. Gungnir, in the Norse legends, is a weapon that never misses and can penetrate anything. The Viking world was filled with fascinating stories and beliefs, and in Norse mythology, the ravens Huginn and Munnin played an important role. They are closely connected to Odin, and in a way, they represent an all-seeing eye, as they can watch over Midgard for the god and provide him with information. Often shown perched upon Odin’s shoulders, these intelligent birds represent the mighty god’s power and presence. Huginn is connected with memory, and Munnin is associated with thought. You can get inked with both ravens together and possibly with an image of Odin or a Viking warrior. Or you could choose two limbs that are next to each other, for example, the legs of arms. This is a way to show two separate concepts that are still connected.For starters, the Gods kept their youth by consuming Yggdrasil fruits. Moreover, the Tree of Life plays an essential role in the preservation of the Norse universe after the Ragnarok. According to a myth, a man and woman will hide under its trunk and survive the final battle, after which they will populate the world again. Another important part of Norse history is connected to Yggdrasil. It is a place where Odin hung himself on his quest for wisdom. In fact, Viking warriors used to draw Aegishjalmr on their foreheads to be protected from their enemies and to instill fear in them. As one of the lesser-known Nordic symbols, the Web of Wyrd is a symbol in Norse mythology that represents the interconnectedness of past, present and future. Another interpretation of the word suggests that the meaning is much closer to ‘crushing’ or ‘to crush’. Another interesting thing related to the Gungnir symbol is that Vikings would throw their spears over the heads of their foes, shouting "Óðinn á yðr alla!" (“ Odin owns all of you”). They hoped that in this way they would gain Odin's favor and win the battle.

It was believed that, thanks to the abilities given to them by Odin, Huginn and Muninn were keen observers and could travel all of Midgard (the world) in a day, speak and understand the language of humans. The name of this symbol, Vegvisir, originates from the words "vegur" (meaning way) and "visir" (meaning pointer), and it means "wayfinder." Vegvisir is very similar to Ægishjálmr, which is why many people believe they are one and the same. Like the Helm of Awe, Vegvisir consists of eight "beams" meeting in the center. The only difference is that all of Vegvisir's beams are different, while Ægishjálmr has eight completely identical beams.As of the animals most often linked with the Vikings, the raven deserves its spot on our list. If you are wondering why ravens were so popular with the Vikings, here is the answer: It was also believed that he used Mjölnir to bless marriages during which he provided the couple with fertility. Many symbols represent rebirth, continuity, and the circle of life, but none are as striking as an ouroboros tattoo. The image shows a giant snake in a circular shape, eating its tail. With these pieces comes powerful symbolism, as it represents eternity, life and death, and renewal. In addition to the meaning, it also makes for an interesting design that will likely become a conversation starter. You may want to add to the importance of your ink by opting to combine several images, for example, by adding Viking runes. This can make your design even more personal and unique. During World War II, a certain group that was super into their race and heritage adopted the Odal rune as their own. That’s right– the Nazis. In fact, an Odal rune with little feet on the end was the symbol of the 7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division Prinz Eugen, a mounted infantry division conscripted from Eastern Europe. Following the war, it made its way to various Neo-Nazi and hate groups throughout the decades, including the White Liberation Movement, the most far-right organization in South Africa. Vikings considered Norse symbols as a connection with destiny and spirituality, the two things that were sacred to any Viking. Having fate on their side could mean the difference between life and death, and there is no need to waste words to underscore the significance of the Norse mythology Gods during the Viking age.

Despite its former connection with Hitler and the Nazi Party, the swastika remains to be a sacred symbol in Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Odinism. It is a symbol often seen on temples or houses in India or Indonesia. With its authenticity and significance in Norse mythology, Mjölnir, Thor’s Hammer is surely one of the most important Viking symbols/Norse symbols (if not the most important one). As Vikings always tried to bend nature to their will, it comes as no surprise that some of the Viking kings had bears as their pets. Vikings who settled on Greenland even ended up exporting bear furs and even polar bears throughout Europe to anyone with enough coin to pay for their goods.

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Hello, fellow Vikings! Many of you have bought some of the Viking items with Norse symbols from our store, but do you know their meaning?