celtichammerclub

Discover the allure of the Kvitravn, where the essence of Nordic mystique and the elegance of the white raven converge. Immerse yourself in a world where folklore meets modernity, and let its enigmatic charm captivate your senses.

Bears have been a prominent feature in mythology and legend. Perhaps most notably by the Norse berserker warriors that looked to channel the bear’s strength and ferocity by wearing bear skins into battle. The bear has been an admired creature throughout many cultures throughout history. Bjorn is a name of Germanic origin meaning "bear."

In Norse mythology, there lived a great beast. A wolf, but not just any wolf. This wolf is the son of Loki (how a humanoid fathers a wolf I surely don't know, but it's mythology so we won't overthink it) and the father of ALL wolves. The legend of Fenrir has many interesting stories attached to it, but perhaps the most well known is how Fenrir came to bite off the hand of the Nordic god, Týr (from whom we get "Týrsday, or Tuesday as it is now known). Týr was brave enough to place his hand INSIDE the mouth of Fenrir while the other Nordic god's bound Fenrir with a magical ribbon made by the dwarves. Fenrir, who was able to break every other chain up until the magical dwarf ribbon was unable to free himself, and bit off Týr's hand...

Celtic HammerClub <[email protected]> 11:35 AM (8 minutes ago) to me Celtic and Nordic lore is rife with stories of mysterious, shapeshifting creatures of the sea. The Selkies are mythological creatures that can change between human and seal form by donning or removing their seal skin. The legends of the selkies and their counterparts known by other names are by no surprise most prevalent amongst the seafaring cultures of the British, Faroe and Icelandic islands. Be wary though. The selkies can be friend or foe!

Stags have played a prominent role in mythologies and folklore throughout history. Their speed, agility, strength, and virility was and is admired to this day. Stags are often portrayed as stewards of the forest and nature. Their antlers form a sort of crown on their head and many gods and legendary figures feature similar antlers on their heads indicating the prominent status the stag held throughout the ages. This artwork depicts two stags facing off against each other about to lock their powerful antlers creating an almost heraldic look to the piece.

Stags have played a prominent role in mythologies and folklore throughout history. Their speed, agility, strength, and virility was and is admired to this day. Stags are often portrayed as stewards of the forest and nature. Their antlers form a sort of crown on their head and many gods and legendary figures feature similar antlers on their heads indicating the prominent status the stag held throughout the ages. This artwork depicts two stags facing off against each other about to lock their powerful antlers creating an almost heraldic look to the piece.

The Three Morrigna are sisters who are three different iterations of the same goddess. This collective trinity goddess is often referred to in the singular as The Morrigan. The Morrigan is mentioned often throughout Irish mythology. The Name Morrigan translates into “Great Queen” or “Phantom Queen.” She is a shape shifter, often appearing as a raven or crow, and a goddess of war; often influencing the progression and outcome of battles. She and her sisters also prophesize the coming death of soldiers and by appearing as a woman washing their bloody armor as an omen of their impending doom.

Ravens and/or crows hold a prominent place throughout Celtic and Norse mythology. The crow is associated with the Celtic goddess The Morrigan and her two sisters. The Norse god, Odin, has two raven companions and is often represented by ravens and raven symbols. These intelligent birds have captured our ancestors’ imaginations and inspired for millennia!

The Badb Catha (Battle Crow) is one of three iterations of war goddess collectively known as the Morrigna. The Morrigna are mentioned throughout Irish mythology and are said to foreshadow death and influence fate and the outcome of battles. The Battle Crow in particular is associated with striking fear and confusion in soldiers engaging in battle. The Morrigna are a prominent and terrifying motif in ancient Celtic mythology.

“Celtic War Machine” is an image depicting several implements of Celtic warfare including the mighty chariot, sword, spears, and the CARNYX (Celtic war trumpet). The Celts were known to go into battle riding chariots. The use of chariots in battle continued on in the British Isles long after their use had ceased in other parts of the world making the chariot a symbol for Celtic warfare along with the Carnyx, a tall trumpet instrument unique to the Celts used to intimidate opponents and inspire their troops. The horned helmets on the horses are based on actual archaeological finds. Imagine the image a Celtic charioteer being hauled into battle by two horned horses accompanied by a deafening blaring of war trumpets!

“Celtic War Machine” is an image depicting several implements of Celtic warfare including the mighty chariot, sword, spears, and the CARNYX (Celtic war trumpet). The Celts were known to go into battle riding chariots. The use of chariots in battle continued on in the British Isles long after their use had ceased in other parts of the world making the chariot a symbol for Celtic warfare along with the Carnyx, a tall trumpet instrument unique to the Celts used to intimidate opponents and inspire their troops. The horned helmets on the horses are based on actual archaeological finds. Imagine the image a Celtic charioteer being hauled into battle by two horned horses accompanied by a deafening blaring of war trumpets!

This is an artistic rendition of a clan of Celtic warriors on the march to battle! I leave it open to interpretation what tribe of Celts these guys are. They could be Gauls or Britons on the march to kick some Roman butt. They could be Picts on the march to battle with invading Saxons. They could be Gaels looking to put down a rival clan. Regardless of how you see it, the ogham inscription at the center sews a common thread among all interpretations. It reads, “VICTORY!”

This is an artistic rendition of a clan of Celtic warriors on the march to battle! I leave it open to interpretation what tribe of Celts these guys are. They could be Gauls or Britons on the march to kick some Roman butt. They could be Picts on the march to battle with invading Saxons. They could be Gaels looking to put down a rival clan. Regardless of how you see it, the ogham inscription at the center sews a common thread among all interpretations. It reads, “VICTORY!”

Celtic style shamrock

Celtic style shamrock.

The interlocking triangle at the head of the skull is known as the Valknut which can be found carved on a variety of objects from the archaeological record of the ancient Germanic peoples. It is most often associated with the Norse god Odin.

One of the largest, most powerful and iconic creatures in North America. The mighty bison in a knotwork art style.

Ragnar Lothbrok is a semi mythological figure from the Viking age. His exploits are recorded in most annals and sagas in Northwestern Europe from the Irish Annals to the Icelandic sagas. This epic figure from the North sea met his fate as he was Captured by King Aella of Northumbria (Northern England) and executed by being thrown in a pit of snakes. This artwork depicts Ranar's fate; the pit of snakes that was to lead to his death.

The Norse god Thor is known for his magical hammer. This artwork depicts Thor’s hammer named Mjölnir flanked by two ravens. In the handle of the hammer, you’ll see the two goats that pull Thor’s chariot across the sky.

“Krampus time is here. All the children live in fear.” Krampus is a very olyd Yuletide character with pre-Christian roots. He’s from a time before CocaCola Santa when Christmas and mid-winter festivals were a much more scary time of year. Krampus would punish misbehaving children, and his status as an anti-hero has made the Christmas Demon popular once again!

This is my more modern interpretation of the Lion Rampant on the Scottish Royal Banner with a Celtic twist. Behind the lion is the Scottish Saltire (National flag). At the bottom, the word "Alba" is Scottish Gaelic for "Scotland."

Bears have been a prominent feature in mythology and legend. Perhaps most notably by the Norse berserker warriors that looked to channel the bear’s strength and ferocity by wearing bear skins into battle. The bear has been an admired creature throughout many cultures throughout history. Bjorn is a name of Germanic origin meaning "bear."

Bears have been a prominent feature in mythology and legend. Perhaps most notably by the Norse berserker warriors that looked to channel the bear’s strength and ferocity by wearing bear skins into battle. The bear has been an admired creature throughout many cultures throughout history.

the Elder Futhark Odal rune. It is often associated with and is symbolic of the Norse god, Odin. So, for my interpretation of the rune, I surrounded it with Odin’s “pets.” The Ravens, Huginn and Muninn, and the wolves Geri and Freki.

The official logo of the Celtic Hammer Club brand. Celtic Hammer Club is the brand name for a collection of Celtic and Norse style artwork by Doug Cavanaugh.

The Valkyries, whose name means “chooser of the slain” are prominent figures in Old Norse mythology. They are female entities who preside over battles selecting those who died fighting valiantly to spend their afterlife in the halls of Valhalla where the Valkyries serve them mead as they plan for the events of Ragnarök. My artwork depicts a Valkyrie carrying a slain warrior to the halls of Valhalla behind her.

The Valkyries, whose name means “chooser of the slain” are prominent figures in Old Norse mythology. They are female entities who preside over battles selecting those who died fighting valiantly to spend their afterlife in the halls of Valhalla where the Valkyries serve them mead as they plan for the events of Ragnarök. My artwork depicts a Valkyrie carrying a slain warrior to the halls of Valhalla behind her.

“Highlander Charge” depicts an army of Celtic warriors charging into battle. The artwork is not meant to accurately depict any particular Celtic group or tribe. Rather, it’s a romanticized image taking bits and pieces from different elements of Celtic culture throughout history to make one composite representation of the Celtic warrior.

White stags have played a role in many mythologies and legends, especially in the North. The Celts believed them to be messengers from the otherworld. The white stag’s appearance would be an omen for whoever sighted it. The legends of King Arthur indicated that the white stag had a supernatural ability to avoid capture, and pursuit of the magical beast was akin to a spiritual quest.

Offering ale, wine, or mead to the gods, the dead, or spirits has been a part of ritual and religion for millennia. It’s a practice that spreads across much of history and culture. It’s a powerful expression used to bring together communities in a reaffirmation of beliefs and values. My knotwork-style representation of this type of offering depicts two warriors hoisting their drinking horns to the sky!

Dragon in a Norse style with a sword running through it. The Runes spell out "Dragon Slayer"

This is an original interpretation of Odin entering Valhalla riding on Sleipnir from the Tjängvide image stone. Sleipnir is Odin’s faithful steed. Reknown for having EIGHT legs!

This is an original interpretation of Odin entering Valhalla riding on Sleipnir from the Tjängvide image stone. Sleipnir is Odin's faithful steed who has EIGHT legs!

It’s the busiest time of the year, HARVEST! The days are slowly getting shorter. The smell in the air starts to change. It’s becoming cooler at night. Summer is winding down. The Oak King is aging, and the Holly King is becoming stronger. The Holly king is waiting patiently for his strength to return so that he may challenge the Oak King on Samhain (Halloween), and DEFEAT him, thereby ushering in winter. So you must stay busy. Harvest your crops and store them in preparation for the winter ahead. There’s still time. Hard work during the Harvest will be rewarded.

In Norse mythology, there lived a great beast. A wolf, but not just any wolf. This wolf is the son of Loki (how a humanoid fathers a wolf I surely don't know, but it's mythology so we won't overthink it) and the father of ALL wolves. The legend of Fenrir has many interesting stories attached to it, but perhaps the most well known is how Fenrir came to bite off the hand of the Nordic god, Týr (from whom we get "Týrsday, or Tuesday as it is now known). Týr was brave enough to place his hand INSIDE the mouth of Fenrir while the other Nordic god's bound Fenrir with a magical ribbon made by the dwarves. Fenrir, who was able to break every other chain up until the magical dwarf ribbon was unable to free himself, and bit off Týr's hand...

Dragon in a Norse style with a sword running through it. The Runes spell out "Dragon Slayer"