Valknut also represents Odin's sacrifice-the three triangles may represent his self-sacrifice on his own tree, Yggdrasil. The nine points of each triangle symbolize the nine worlds in Norse mythology. The three interlocking triangles are usually interpreted as representing the three realms of Earth, Heaven, and Hell. Gotland, Sweden's Valknut on the Stora Hammars stone This is not all that surprising-the two populations were culturally entwined for more than 500 years. Similar motifs appear on Anglo-Saxon cremation urns, another Germanic people closely connected to the Norse culturally, ethnically, and in their pre-Christian ideology and faith. In the archaeological record, it appears only in connection with the cult of the dead-as in the aforementioned runestones and ship burial. The word valknut means 'knot of the slain,' and indeed, the symbol is commonly interpreted as representing the fetters placed upon dead warriors in Valhalla. The Valknut is a symbol that appears in Norse mythology and religious imagery, namely on Viking Age picture stones, ringstones, and other types of grave markers. As we’ll see in this article, the name and its meaning aren’t mentioned in any period sources the word “valknut” is a modern Norwegian compound word that means “knot of those fallen in battle.” That said, its visual appearance on a variety of archaeological artifacts associated with Viking-age Scandinavians suggests that it may have had some contemporary significance. The Valknut is a fascinating and eye-catching symbol that has attracted a lot of interest from modern practitioners of Norse mythology.

Viking symbols valknut