vegvisir: Magical symbol from Norse mythology, also known as the Viking compass. It is meant to help navigate storms.

Although there’s no tangible evidence that this has been a Viking symbol, some consider it originated in the Viking era.
Although this symbol can be referred to as the runic Viking Compass or Nordic Compass, it is more likely to have originated in Iceland. As a symbol made from bindrunes, it is certainly not unrealistic to think Ægishjálmur could have been conceived by Vikings, but again there is no physical evidence that this symbol was ever used by Vikings.

• The Germanic ancestors or the Vikings furthermore commonly carved particular rune combinations onto jewellery, probably for protection.
• You can display it on your hands with a Vegvisir ring surrounded by a runic circle.
• We encourage one to take a deeper consider the history behind this very popular symbol.
• Though our oldest proof may be the 1800s, the symbol had been regarded as old at that time.
• contained in voodoo rituals.

The reason why the Vegvisir is known as a compass is because of the eight runes starves that it’s composed of, which some individuals believe to be the eight cardinal points.
Even though Vikings were known to use the eight cardinal items in navigation, there were other instruments just like the sunstones that were thought to be prominently used by them throughout their voyages.
Still, several believed that by setting a nail at the center of the Vegvisir, the shadow of the nail can tell the direction, much like the sunstone.

This symbol is composed of eight rune staves which are believed to protect the wearer from evil forces. You may not recognize the name Vegvisir, but you might just recognize the symbol when you see it. It is an iconic emblem largely due to its use by neo-pagans, musicians, and re-enactors. Vegvisir is also commonly depicted on Viking-era TV shows, as well as jewelry and tattoos.

This author is unknown however the book is believed to be from the 19th century.
It is this book that is frequently quoted as proving the symbol will be “Christian”, but we will address more on the entire context of the below.
Iceland had not been immune from these things, but while an appalling number of people died in Spain, England, or France, in Iceland there have been only about 29 witchcraft executions.
During mainland Europe, most of these condemned witches and heretics were women, in Iceland, only one woman lost her lifestyle during these religious purges.
The Norse and Gaelic cultures happen to be both famous for their storytelling, spirituality, and strong sense of traditions.

Thor Norse God Symbolism

is thought to date back to the 16th century even though the manuscript was first published in the 20th century.
The symbol was intended to be utilized on maps and navigational aids for sailors.
According to Ásgrímur Jónsson himself, he created it predicated on older Viking symbols which were popular at that time, such as for example arrowheads and axes.

Runes, false runes, bind runes, and Latin letters were sometimes even combined . Bind runes could be used so that “a whole word or a whole sentence could be hidden in a symbol” (Davíðsson, 1903, p. 152). For example, in thegaldrastafur, Þjófastafur which appears near Vegvísir in theHuldmanuscript, the eight symbols represent eight of the Aesir. Considering hidden meanings like this, the religious alignment of Icelandic magic is more difficult to ascertain than some might assume. Odin is then said to have shared the knowledge of the runes, and the Vegvisir could be among the runic symbols that were shared. Today, the Viking compass is used by the followers of Asatru, a new Norse religion, as a sign of their faith.

It’s achievable that the symbol did not exist at all during the Viking age.
It’s much more likely that it appeared many later, and has been borrowed by the Nordic folks from elsewhere in Europe.
Nonetheless, it posesses heavy value in Icelandic culture today.
That said, it’s very common to visit a vegvísir used in lifestyle – particularly in German-speaking nations around the world (wegweiser means “sign” in German).
For example, Richard Wagner composed his opera, Der Ring des Nibelungen , which draws from Norse mythology such as The Saga of the Volsungs, between 1848 and 1874.
The opera’s costume creator, Carl Emil Doepler, single-handedly kickstarted the association of vikings and horned helmets .
If you’re interested in viking imagery and symbolism, you should have undoubtedly observed the vegvísir.

This Is Of Vegvisir

Consistent with that practice, it had been also seen as a protection symbol against a myriad of danger.
On a side notice, some claim that the Viking compass was initially originally developed by the Ásatrú (Ásatrúarfélagið).
Ásatrú folks are believers of old Germanic gods and spirits.
The Huld manuscript was basically compiled in the 19th century, at the very least eight centuries following the Viking Age came to an end.
As it is constructed of several different runes, the Vegvisir symbol can be referred to as ‘the runic compass’.
Although its origin is still in contention, it is believed that symbol was won to provide guidance and coverage to the wearer.

It is perhaps worth noting that practically none of our sources for anything Viking is totally free from later Christian influence.
The Prose Edda lore of Snorri Sturluson includes blatant attempts to euhemerize gods and reconcile the Pagan former with the Christian gift.
Saxo Grammaticus moralizes at length in his biographies of Ragnar Lothbrok and the others.

Vegvisir Runes Meaning

However, always check if the receiver of the surprise appreciates symbolism and if they are relaxed wearing symbols.
Like anything, interpretations and beliefs are added to symbols and the Vegvisir is not any exception.
Although sunstone bears little resemblance to the Vegvisir, some scholars think that the crystal compass inspired the symbol that is comprised of four lines and eight points.
These eight factors look like the cardinal tips on a compass.
And so, the symbol was initially drawn onto the forehead to make sure that the person didn’t acquire lost when leaving residence.
When settlers first found its way to Iceland in 874CE, they brought the Aged Norse religion with them.