Svefnthorn Mugs

Finally, here comes Svefnthorn, one of the most authentic Viking symbols which was mentioned many times in several Norse sagas including The Saga of the Volsungs, The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki and Gongu-Hrolf’s Saga. Although the appearance, definition and magical qualities of Svefnthorn is somewhat different in every myth, there is one thing in common in all stories: Svefnthorn was mainly used to put one’s enemies to sleep. The symbol was used by Norse people (and gods) to put their adversaries into a deep and long sleep. Odin puts Valkyrie Brynhildr/Brunhild into a deep sleep in The Saga of the Volsungs. She remains asleep until Sigurd heroically comes to her rescue and awakes her.

Svefnthorn symbol - wooden texture

Svefnthorn symbol - wooden texture

Svefnthorn symbol - metallic texture

Svefnthorn symbol - marble texture

Finally, here comes Svefnthorn, one of the most authentic Viking symbols which was mentioned many times in several Norse sagas including The Saga of the Volsungs, The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki and Gongu-Hrolf’s Saga. Although the appearance, definition and magical qualities of Svefnthorn is somewhat different in every myth, there is one thing in common in all stories: Svefnthorn was mainly used to put one’s enemies to sleep. The symbol was used by Norse people (and gods) to put their adversaries into a deep and long sleep. Odin puts Valkyrie Brynhildr/Brunhild into a deep sleep in The Saga of the Volsungs. She remains asleep until Sigurd heroically comes to her rescue and awakes her.

The Svefnthorn (Old Norse svefnþorn, “sleep thorn,” pronounced “SVEFN-thorn”) is a symbol that features in several of the Norse sagas and in folkloric magical formulas recorded long after the Viking Age. Svefnthorn was used to put an adversary into a deep sleep from which he or she wouldn’t awaken for a long time.

a digital drawing of feathers to represent Huginn and Muninn, Odin's two ravens. With the Svefnthron magical rune running through each feather. The Svefnthorn rune ( sleep rune) was used by Odin to put his enemies into a long and deep sleep.

Svefnthorn – ‘sleep horn’ in Old Norse – was a spell that the Vikings used to place someone into a deep sleep or throw it into eternal slumber, and at other times to disable serious adversaries. Odin, the master spellcaster, uses Svefnthorn to place the Valkyrie Brynhildr into a deep slumber from which she can only be awoken when a hero crosses a formidable circle of fire that Odin has created around her.

Svefnthorn – ‘sleep horn’ in Old Norse – was a spell that the Vikings used to place someone into a deep sleep or throw it into eternal slumber, and at other times to disable serious adversaries. Odin, the master spellcaster, uses Svefnthorn to place the Valkyrie Brynhildr into a deep slumber from which she can only be awoken when a hero crosses a formidable circle of fire that Odin has created around her.

This symbol is the svefnthorn, an Icelandic magical stave. According to the manuscript from which it originates the svefnthorn is meant to keep one asleep so that they cannot wake unless the stave is removed. I've based my version off the one found in the Huld manuscript.

A distressed black and white illustration of the Viking magical symbol THE SVEFNTHORN or sleep thorn.

Valknut - Odin's Knot

Helm of Awe

Sleep Thorn

Yggdrasil - Tree of Life

Engage your inner Norse god!