Do you know VALKNUT? Find out all about him here

Valknut is a symbol of ancient origin and is closely linked to the religion of Nordic origin. Considered the one that represented the “Knot of the Deceased Warriors”; but also considered the mark of all the brave who were part of the people of Valhalla. Although its current form is considered to be a recent invention but associated with the symbol of Odrerir or Odin, which was provided with three horns. Discover with us all its fascinating history.

Introduction

The Nordic people, many of whom were known as Vikings, in ancient times had a religion of pagan origin, which was beautiful and attractive like many of the countries in this region; but they later converted to Christianity and only some of its manifestations survived from this culture.

Their religion as a central point is what we know today as Norse Mythology; and was made up of a series of legends and myths that gave life to the Vikings, within which was the presence of fascinating gods who were known as Odin, Thor, Freya and Loki.

But this religion, which was representative of the Nordic peoples, was considered simply a tradition, which was transmitted from parents to children orally, from generation to generation. However, with the arrival of Christianity, its people were considered pagans.

But most of the records that exist, in relation to their Norse mythology, date from the centuries ranging from the 11th to the 18th and have had to go through many of these centuries, their culture being preserved, generally orally; which is why many of the scholars of the time began to record these aspects of Viking life in the Eddas and the Heimskringla of Snorri Sturluson.

The Eddas were simply texts that are made up of two parts where it was captured, on the one hand the prosaic part and on the other the poetic part. While the Heimskringla was a set of sagas about the life of the Nordic people, around the year 1225; which were written by a historian known as Snorri Sturluson.

The interesting thing about all this is that thanks to these written testimonies, it has been possible to know what the Nordic symbols are and many of them have become popular over the years, as is the case of the point in which Our article focuses on the Valknut.

A symbol that has been given different names, one of which is the Heart of Hrunger’s; but since it was discovered it has captured the attention of all those who have admired it, especially for the symbolic meaning that surrounds it.

It is for this reason that we invite you to stay in this reading, so that together with us, you can properly discover what the Valknut is and what is the reason that has led it to be a popular symbol, widely used throughout the world. (We suggest you read the article about Nordic symbols and their meaning)

Origin

It is considered that this is a Norse symbol, which was found within some ancient stone carvings, by a giant called Hrungnir of the Eddas. This giant is said to have been slain by the god known as Thor, by using his magical hammer known as Mjolnir.

This is a story that was documented both in the Edda and in the sagas told by Snorri Sturluson. Considering that before the death of this giant, he had made a bet with the god Odin, where the head of the god was put at stake, in a competition with his horse named Sleipnir.

This swift steed triumphing over the horse led by the giant; However, they invited him to Valhalla, but there he assumed the posture of an abusive drunk, which is why the god Thor had to confront him and defeat him. (You can also see the article on the Symbols of Buddhism)

When the fight between Thor and Hrungnir begins; This giant throws a whetstone at the god, which is then crushed by Thor’s hammer, turning it into fragments of flint, but one of them becomes embedded in the God’s forehead.

This does not stop Thor, because with the strength of his hammer he manages to break the giant’s head; However, when he falls, he falls on the god, who is trapped under Hrungnir’s great leg.

Once the god Thor is freed from the body of this giant that imprisons him, he seeks the help of the sorceress Gróa to remove the flint thrown by Hrungnir against the god’s forehead. But it turns out that when she was almost removing it from his forehead, she is distracted by thinking about her husband, she forgets how to perform her charms and this stone remains embedded in Thor’s forehead.

For this reason it is considered that both the heart, head and shield of Hrungnir were made of stone, with a peculiar shape, since they were triangular, and for this reason the symbol of Valknut was born, which, as has been indicated, is also called the Heart of Hrungnir, Knot of the deceased warrior, or simply as the Knot of Death.

What is Valknut?

It is a Nordic symbol, which is formed by three triangles that are intertwined, in a quite striking way. It is a representation that has been found during archaeological expeditions, in stones called runes, in tombstones in Viking cemeteries, in structures on the island of Gotland, of Swedish origin, and in many funerary objects in Norway.

Some consider it to be the mark of the brave who reside in Valhalla, but also the symbol of the power that emanates from the god Odin; through which he transmits courage, tranquility and a lot of inspiration to his people. This was an important element for the Vikings to feel balanced in their minds and souls when they went to the battlefield.

It can be said that this symbol was considered protective and for this reason it was used as a talisman to ward off the evil eye at all times. Reason why the Valknut was usually placed around deceased heroes or in their own funeral basques.

But as has also been indicated, this is a symbol that has been found, captured in runic pieces that were discovered archaeologically. Runes are pieces of stone in which symbols are carved, and in some cases an entire alphabet is also formed with them.

Viking Runes

For many of the Nordic peoples, well represented by the Vikings, Celts or the Germans, runes are letters engraved on small stones, which served as an alphabet or simply to carry as a talisman against bad influences.

But the runes are as mysterious as their name, because they indicate a secret or a whisper. They are also used as Kabbalistic elements to divine the future or as elements of healing or meditation.

The Valknut is a rune stone that is usually associated with the cult of the god Odin and is most often seen next to this god, either in funerary contexts or in certain religious scenes typical of Valhalla. It is for this reason that it is considered necessary to know this god, who was closely linked to this symbol. (You can also read the articles about Chakra)

Who was Odin?

Odin was the king of the gods of Norse mythology, who was also known by the name Wotan, being considered a representative god of war, wisdom, death, poetry and even magic.

It was said that this god was born from the union between the god Bor and the giant Bestla. He was a god who was also considered a great father, looking like an old man, with long curly hair and a big beard.

He was generally seen with his weapon called Gungnir, which was a magical spear that had been made for him by the dwarves; and which had the power to return to the hands of the god, once he threw it, just as if it were a boomerang.

The god Odin was usually next to two ravens called Hugin and Munin, which represented thought and memory respectively. Furthermore, this god is considered the wisest of all, since he sacrificed his right eye to drink from Mimir’s well and be a recipient of this gift of universal wisdom.

Meaning

The Valknut is one of the most enigmatic Norse symbols, which has evolved from the combination of ancient words Valrwhose meaning is dead warrior and Knout, which refers to knot. Considering also that according to some historical evidence, this symbol was sometimes presented as three separate and connected triangles or as three triangles united in an esoteric way.

The exact meaning that this type of symbol had for the Viking people is unknown; but according to the evidence of the texts that refer to the time, it is said that this represented the heart of the giant Hrungnir, because it was made of stone and had three sharp corners. (You may be interested in reading about Infinity Knot)

But other theories state that the Valknut was associated with the god Odin and his powers to bind and unbind the minds of all men in the world. He was therefore represented close to Odin and thus represented life after death.

It is for this reason, which many consider, that it is a talisman against bad energies, since it also represents elements of reincarnation. The three triangles with which it is symbolized have nine sides or nine points, which have been associated with the Nine Worlds of Norse mythology, in which the kingdoms of heaven, earth and hell are present.

Today this is a symbol that continues to be used by religions of Germanic origin, especially neo-pagan ones, and it is also often used as logos of companies, sports teams and many organizations.

Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology

The nine worlds of Norse mythology are represented by the Yggdrasil, or what is the tree of life or as it is also called the ash tree of the universe. Being through its branches and roots with which the different worlds are held together.

These are known by the names of Asgard, it is the world of the gods that is ruled by Odin and his wife Frigg; Midgard is the world of men that has been created by Odin and his brothers Vili and Ve; Helheim is the world of death and it exists in the deepest, darkest and most gloomy.

Muspellheim, is the world where fire reigns, home of giants like Surt; Svartalfheim, is the world represented by the Cosmos; Alfheim, considered the world where mischievous magical beings called Elves live; Vanaheim, considered the home of the Vanir and Jötunheim, which is the world of the rock and ice giants.

Therefore, it is said that the nine angles and points of the Valknut symbol are associated with these nine worlds of Norse cosmology, which have been represented in the Yggdrasil tree.

Valknut associated with Odin

It has been stated that this symbol is associated with the Norse god Odin, who was the ruler of all the other gods of the time, such as the one who represented war and death within the Viking peoples.

Warriors generally lost their lives during battles,…