Odin Shaman God Tapestries

odin and wolves stylized composition in color

Odin

Odin

Gungnir is the name of the mighty spear that belongs to the god Odin. As you’d expect for the weapon of a god, Gungnir is no ordinary spear. It was created by the dwarves, the most skilled smiths in the cosmos, as is related in the tale of how the gods’ greatest treasures were made. Gungnir is said to have runes carved on its point, which presumably increase its aim and deadliness through magic. In the war between the two tribes of gods, Odin led the Aesir gods into battle against the Vanir. He began the battle by hurling his spear over the enemy host and crying, “Óðinn á yðr alla!” (“Odin owns all of you!”).

In the war between the two tribes of gods, Odin led the Aesir gods into battle against the Vanir. He began the battle by hurling his spear over the enemy host and crying, “Óðinn á yðr alla!” (“Odin owns all of you!”). The historical Norse repeated this paradigmatic gesture, giving the opposing army as a gift to Odin in hopes that the god would return the favor by granting them victory.

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.

Odin

There are nine worlds in Norse Mythology, they are called Niflheim, Muspelheim, Asgard, Midgard, Jotunheim, Vanaheim, Alfheim, Svartalfheim, Helheim. The nine worlds in Norse mythology are held in the branches and roots of the world tree Yggdrasil. These realms are the home of different kind of beings, like the home of the Gods and Goddesses or giants.

As one of the lesser-known Viking symbols, the Web of Wyrd is a symbol in Norse mythology that represents the interconnectedness of past, present and future. According to the myth, the Web of Wyrd was woven by the Norns/Nornir, the Shapers of Destiny in Norse mythology. The symbol comprised of nine staves contains all the runes thus symbolizing all ‘the possibilities’ the past, present and future brought and might bring. It is also called ‘Skuld’s net’ as Skuld was believed to be one of the Norns that wove the web.

The Valknut is one of the most widely-discussed yet enigmatic of all of the symbols that appear in connection with Norse mythology. Visually, it’s comprised of three interlocking triangles. Archaeologically, it appears on several rune stones and pictorial memorial stones that date from the Viking Age and stand on the Swedish island of Gotland, as well as on grave goods from the Oseberg ship burial in Norway.

Odin valknut runes red

The Valknut is one of the most widely-discussed yet enigmatic of all of the symbols that appear in connection with Norse mythology. Visually, it’s comprised of three interlocking triangles. Archaeologically, it appears on several rune stones and pictorial memorial stones that date from the Viking Age and stand on the Swedish island of Gotland, as well as on grave goods from the Oseberg ship burial in Norway.

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.