![]() Similar symbols also appear on contemporary Anglo-Saxon funeral urns and on the grave goods of some Germanic people closely related to the Vikings, confirming the association between the Valknut symbol and death.īut more than being associated with just death, it appears to have been associated with a warrior’s death, as the Valknut almost always appears alongside images of Odin, or symbols of Odin. It appears on a pictorial memorial stone found on the Swedish island of Gotland, and on grave goods included in the Oseberg ship burial in Norway, where it is inscribed on a bedpost, and appears on a tapestry, though the surviving image is extremely fragmentary. THE VALKNUT AND THE DEADĮxamples of the Valknut mainly survive on a number of Viking runestones, and in association with burials. This name was chosen as the Valknut appears to be associated with the dead, and with Odin, the god of war and the dead. It combines the words for slain warrior, “valr”, and knot “knut”, to mean “knot of slain warriors”. The name Valknut is not a traditional Viking name, but a modern Norwegian title given to the symbol. It is generally though that these are variations of the same symbol, as archaeologically, they appear in the same contexts. The Borromean form is three interlocking but separate triangles, while the unicursal form is drawn using a single line. It is known from the Viking world in two forms. The Valknut symbol involves three interlocking triangles. So, what is the likely meaning of the Valknut symbol? THE VALKNUT This means that we have to infer its meaning from what we know about the Vikings in general. It appears in association with death and burials throughout the Viking world, but none of the surviving literary sources makes mention of it. One of the most common but enigmatic symbols that the Vikings used was the Valknut. As well as expressing the world, the Vikings believed that symbols, when made by the right hands, had the power to shape the world. Not only were they a powerful way to express ideas, but the Vikings also thought that symbols had power. We may never know its true meaning, but I’m sure you’ll agree that there is something mysterious and almost magical about this intriguing symbol, and I for one am happy to continue its use purely to keep its simplistic beauty alive.The Viking world was full of symbols. Others simply believe that the valknut is a symbol for Odin, and as such it can be found on many jewellery items for sale on modern-day pagan websites. Hilda Ellis Davidson (English academic specialising in Germanic history) surmises that the valknut, which is depicted on the Gotland picture stones beneath carvings of Odin, symbolises the god’s power to bind and unbind, which is also mentioned in several poems from the Edda.Īnother academic called Rudolf Simek thinks that the valknut, because of its obvious relevance to death and the afterlife (the symbol is on several burial items found in the Oseberg Longship), may have been used as part of religious practises surrounding death. There is another symbol called Hrungnishjarta (Hrungnir’s heart), which bears striking resemblance to the valknut. In the Prose Edda, Hrungnir’s heart is described as “made of hard stone with three sharp-pointed corners”. Probably the most famous theory is that which was proposed by experts studying the Skáldskarparmál book (within the Prose Edda, circa 13th century) they believe that the symbol represents the heart of the jötunn Hrungnir, who was slain by Thor and his hammer, mjölnir. In English, its also known as ‘Saint John’s Arms’. The word ‘valknut’ is derived from the Norwegian word ‘valknute’, meaning ‘polygon’. – two picture stones found in Gotland, Sweden.įor decades, there has been disputes between archaeologists, Old Norse experts and amateurs alike, and many theories have been put forward pertaining to the valknut’s true meaning. – the Oseberg Tapistry, also found in the Oseberg Longship. – a carving on a wooden bed found inside the infamous Oseberg Longship. – the Nene Valley Ring – an Anglo Saxon gold ring (circa 8th – 9th century). The only discoveries of this symbol to date are depicted on the following: But is it real, or is its assumed meaning false?ĭespite being so widespread, the valknut is actually incredibly rare in terms of archaeological findings. So much so, that I’ve even used it as my photo on this blog. The valknut symbol (pictured below) is a popular symbol amongst Norse pagans/heathens.
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