![]() It is believed this symbol had the power to guide people wearing it to the right direction for those who lost their path. Vegvisir is a very powerful symbol in the Norse mythology. There are some people believing that the 8 branches represent the cardinal points (north, south, west, east, northwest, northeast, southwest, southeast) while others believe the 8 branches represent the 8 worlds of the Old Norse mythology and the center represents the 9th world, Midgard, the world of humans. This symbol has eight branches meeting in the center. The name itself means the “wayfinder”, “vegur” meaning way and “visir” meaning pointer. If you liked our article about the Vegvisir, please share it on social media, many thanks.Vegvisir is a famous symbol you might have seen if you looked a little bit about Iceland and its folklore. If you would like to read more about Nordic/Viking symbols, here is our extensive post about them: ![]() Today, the Vegvisir is used as symbol of Icelandic culture while people of Asatru faith also use it to identify themselves and as a symbol of spiritual guidance. On a side note, in some legends, it is mentioned that the Vegvisir/the Nordic compass would be drawn on Viking ships to help them find their way back and come back home safely. ![]() Some people believe that a nail placed right in the middle of the Vegvisir would tell of directions (through its shadow’s position at certain times of day) and help the Vikings navigate the seas. It is believed that the eight Viking rune staves comprising the Vegvisir could be representing the cardinal (North, South, West, East) and intercardinal directions (Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast). While the said sun compass does not look anything like the Vegvisir and/or have such markings on it, it might be the inspiration behind the symbol according to some experts. The Vegvisir as The Nordic Viking Compass/Runic CompassĪlthough there is no certain knowledge of the Vegvisir’s origins and when it was used the first time, some people believe the symbol was used for navigational purposes by the Vikings.Īrcheological findings revealed that the Vikings used a ‘sunstone’, a sun compass of sorts while they sailed around the world from North America to Far East. If you would like to read more about Aegishjalmr, check out our post below: Many people confuse the Vegvisir with Aegishjalmr, the helm of awe and terror although the two symbols are quite different from each other. According to the Galdrabok, to provide guidance and protection, the Vegvisir should be drawn in blood on a person’s forehead – just like the Viking symbol of protection, the Aegishjalmur, the Helm of Awe would sometimes be. In the Galdrabok, it is written that this symbol would help its wearer to not get lost and find their way back. The second source mentioning Vegvisir, the Galdrabok, is a grimoire, a book of spells which details randomly-compiled spells and provides knowledge about magic, the Germanic gods of the time and cosmology. Some parts of the knowledge in the manuscript in question is inspired by folk traditions and the one regarding the Vegvisir might be one of those parts according to the experts. The Huld Manuscript is a document brought together almost ten centuries after the Viking Age and, although some parts of the manuscript might be based on real knowledge of Norse people and their beliefs, it is better to be cautious and not take anything in it literally without doing any other research.
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