Norse mythology is rich with different symbols, the Valknut Viking is one of the most popular symbols, but do you know its meaning? What does it really represent? What does it mean today?
ETYMOLOGY OF VALKNUT
We know this part is not the most interesting, so we’ll keep it short. It is a “portmanteau” word, composed of two words.
KNUT
This is the word that causes the least problem. It seems to come from the word Knutr, which means knot. In fact, in old Icelandic, this word is still used. However, the writer Eric Westcoat seems rather inclined to link it to Not, which means “nut,” a poetic turn of phrase meaning heart. In summary, Knut means either heart or knot.
VAL
You thought Knut was problematic? Let us introduce the word Val. The most popular origin is the one meaning warrior dead in battle (as seen in valhalla, the paradise of valiant warriors). Val can also mean falcon, or choice.
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If we combine all these hypotheses, it could give:
- Knot of the warrior dead in battle
- Knot of the falcon
- Knot of choice
- Heart of the warrior dead in battle
- Heart of the falcon
- Heart of choice
Not easy to figure out…
THE TWO VARIANTS OF THE VALKNUT
The Valknut is a symbol composed of three interlocked triangles. Historically, it is found in two forms:
- The unicursal form, found on a stone dating from the 7th century, the Tängelgarda stone, in Sweden. It has the particularity of being drawable in one continuous line.
- The tricuspal form, found on the Stora Hammar stone, also in Sweden and from the 7th century.
INTERPRETATIONS OF THE VALKNUT
ODIN'S ARMY
This interpretation is credited to Hilda Ellis Davidson. According to her, this symbol is the “release of the human spirit granted to certain warriors so that they may join Odin’s army for Ragnarok.” This connection was made thanks to symbols found on funerary urns from Anglo-Saxon cemeteries, with representations of wolves and ravens (strongly linked to Odin).
The most striking example remains the Stora Hammar stone. On it, the Valknut is found in the beak of a bird, which certainly represents a valkyrie coming to fetch a warrior. The theory continues with the man below holding a spear, a symbol of Odin. The scene depicted on the stone would therefore represent the access to Valhalla for a warrior dead in battle.
THE SEIDR
Seidr is a form of magic found in Norse mythology, coming from the goddess Freya. This magic, considered feminine, was therefore not supposed to be mastered by a man. Yet Odin managed to become a master and use this magic on battlefields. He was able to render a warrior unfit for combat, or conversely, to remove all fear of the enemy. According to this theory, the valknut would thus be the symbol of Odin’s magic. More precisely, this interlacing of triangles represents the confusion Odin can create on a battlefield.
YGGDRASIL
There is a theory that the Valknut represents the tree of life Yggdrasil. Yggdrasil, also known as the cosmic ash tree, is the equivalent of the universe in modern culture. This giant tree carries the nine worlds of Norse mythology (quite a lot).
Returning to the Valknut, each of its points, which number nine, represents one of the nine worlds. Just like Yggdrasil, you can also identify three levels of height, on which the nine worlds are easily placed.
This theory is reinforced by a ring found in the River Nene (England), which has on one side the Valknut symbol, and on the other a symbol that over time has been associated with a huge tree: Yggdrasil.
SYMBOL OF FATE
According to some, this symbol would represent the three most powerful Nornir: Urdr, Verdandi, and Skuld, each representing respectively what has happened, what is happening, and what will happen (basically, the past, present, and future). According to myths, these three Nornir took care of the roots of Yggdrasil so that it would not rot.
According to different schools of thought, this symbol could represent an infinite knot, meaning that life is just an infinite knot, or that each triangle represents either the past, the present, or the future, and that each is inseparable from the others. In any case, according to this interpretation, the Valknut represents the fate of every being.
THE HEART OF HRUNGNIR
Hrungnir is the most powerful giant living in the realm of ice. He will nevertheless be defeated by Thor, who smashes his skull with his hammer Mjollnir. His heart was described in Snorri’s Poetic Edda: “it was made of hard stone, had sharp edges, and featured three protruding horns.” Rudolf Simek, a philologist of Germanic literature (a person who studies ancient texts), proposed this theory after studying this passage of the Edda. It is true that the characteristics of Hrungnir’s heart correspond to those of the Valknut.
THE MODERN USE OF THE VALKNUT
Today the Valknut is a very widespread symbol in the tattoo world. Indeed, there are so many theories and interpretations around this subject that everyone can use the one they prefer or that inspires them. Here are some tattoos of this symbol. Among Viking tattoos, you will also find the Vegvisir on many arms. It looks really great, by the way!
A RACIST SYMBOL?
On June 6, 2021, the Capitol invasion. There was an army of men and women expressing their anger. Among them, Jake Angelli, dressed, to say the least, unusually. But what interests us is one of his tattoos, representations of the Valknut. This symbol was immediately associated by the press with a neo-Nazi symbol. Here is a video that perfectly explains this subject.
THE VALKNUT AND ODIN'S HALL
We hope that after your reading, you have found answers to your questions regarding this Viking symbol that is the Valknut. At Odin's Hall we love this symbol, which is why you will find it on many of our Viking jewelry and accessories.
Thank you for reading, it is a pleasure to write for Odin's Hall, the reference brand in accessories inspired by Norse mythology.
You can visit our Valknut collection to proudly wear this Viking symbol!
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Let me tell you a bit about our logo if you want! At Odin's Hall we wanted to have our own logos representing the strong symbols of Norse mythology, and Valknut has its own of course. I put it just below.
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