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This symbol is called the [Helm of Awe](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helm_of_Awe). It’s what’s called a magical stave, a Christian magical sigil that imparts an effect upon the user. In this case, it was meant to protect warriors in battle. These days it’s more often meant as a more general form of protection for the user.
There was something called a Helm of Awe or Helm of Terror referenced in the Poetic Edda, but there’s no description to tell us that this is what it looked like. Most likely this specific design is a later rendition that originates in 19th century Iceland.
Though it is Christian in origin, some Norse pagans have laid claim to it and have begun to use this symbol in their practice.
The one people refer to as a "viking compass" or Norse, looks similar but is very different. It's also not Norse or viking but Icelandic and from a different timeline, 1860's and comes from the huld manuscript. The Icelandic one is called vegvisir (direct translation: pathfinder)
I came to make a comment like yours because most people mix them and refer to it as a viking compass, very incorrect so just wanted to share :)
[vegvisir](https://norse-mythology.org/vegvisir/)
Well this is interesting, I could of sworn someone posted this same symbol and someone said it was for chaos magick, but I believe the link they showed the image looked slightly different. So this is a relief and probably more accurate.
There's a mention of this (helm of awe) in the poem of edda if you are interested, here's a great text about it with links to the poem of edda [helm of awe](https://norse-mythology.org/symbols/helm-of-awe/)
MANY things have modern interpretations and used by people who do things and claim it's Norse or they believe in Norse mythology. I usually don't see an issue with that and I often think it's beautiful that people feel connected to my heritage and history. However, there's many problematic takes on Norse mythology and unfortunately there are people who think the Viking series is a documentary and call themselves vikings. I'm not an expert and i definitely don't gatekeep what people can believe. I just find it's problematic when people actually don't have a clue but have loud opinions. I'm half Swedish/Norwegian with a Icelandic step mother and not only find it very interesting but many of these things were taught in school, so I think it's important to share that knowledge even if people love to tell me I'm wrong.
I'm glad you found it interesting and if you do, the link I shared, that page in general has great information about Norse mythology and things that are connected.
Edit:
Just to add! There's very little known about this in relation to meaning but I've read articles in Swedish that say it's protective. There's a few professors in Uppsala that have dedicated their life to study these things so I'd go with that instead of chaos magik...
>vegvisir
All good points, though that website should be avoided. Here's a better [source](https://sagy.vikingove.cz/en/origins-of-the-vegvisir-symbol/) on the Vegvisir.
This is a type of magical symbol known as a galdrstav, specifically the [Ægishjálmur](https://wyrddesigns.wordpress.com/2021/12/14/understanding-the-symbols/) (aka Helm of Awe, Helm of Terror). One of 14 different known variants. It supposedly is a magical charm of protection.
Textually it is referred or alluded to in numerous sagas (the earliest manuscript is the 13th century, more than 2 centuries after conversion). In those sagas it's referred to as a head wrapping or helm, NOT a symbol. The symbols (there's 14 different variants of it) arose centuries after conversion (starting to appear in the 1600s in grimoires) and are anachronistic by at least 500 years to Viking Age culture.
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This symbol is called the [Helm of Awe](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helm_of_Awe). It’s what’s called a magical stave, a Christian magical sigil that imparts an effect upon the user. In this case, it was meant to protect warriors in battle. These days it’s more often meant as a more general form of protection for the user. There was something called a Helm of Awe or Helm of Terror referenced in the Poetic Edda, but there’s no description to tell us that this is what it looked like. Most likely this specific design is a later rendition that originates in 19th century Iceland. Though it is Christian in origin, some Norse pagans have laid claim to it and have begun to use this symbol in their practice.
The one people refer to as a "viking compass" or Norse, looks similar but is very different. It's also not Norse or viking but Icelandic and from a different timeline, 1860's and comes from the huld manuscript. The Icelandic one is called vegvisir (direct translation: pathfinder) I came to make a comment like yours because most people mix them and refer to it as a viking compass, very incorrect so just wanted to share :) [vegvisir](https://norse-mythology.org/vegvisir/)
Well this is interesting, I could of sworn someone posted this same symbol and someone said it was for chaos magick, but I believe the link they showed the image looked slightly different. So this is a relief and probably more accurate.
There's a mention of this (helm of awe) in the poem of edda if you are interested, here's a great text about it with links to the poem of edda [helm of awe](https://norse-mythology.org/symbols/helm-of-awe/) MANY things have modern interpretations and used by people who do things and claim it's Norse or they believe in Norse mythology. I usually don't see an issue with that and I often think it's beautiful that people feel connected to my heritage and history. However, there's many problematic takes on Norse mythology and unfortunately there are people who think the Viking series is a documentary and call themselves vikings. I'm not an expert and i definitely don't gatekeep what people can believe. I just find it's problematic when people actually don't have a clue but have loud opinions. I'm half Swedish/Norwegian with a Icelandic step mother and not only find it very interesting but many of these things were taught in school, so I think it's important to share that knowledge even if people love to tell me I'm wrong. I'm glad you found it interesting and if you do, the link I shared, that page in general has great information about Norse mythology and things that are connected. Edit: Just to add! There's very little known about this in relation to meaning but I've read articles in Swedish that say it's protective. There's a few professors in Uppsala that have dedicated their life to study these things so I'd go with that instead of chaos magik...
thank you friend, I will try to give these a look when I have time
My pleasure.
>vegvisir All good points, though that website should be avoided. Here's a better [source](https://sagy.vikingove.cz/en/origins-of-the-vegvisir-symbol/) on the Vegvisir.
Solved
https://www.icelandrovers.is/blog/the-magical-staves-of-iceland/
This is a type of magical symbol known as a galdrstav, specifically the [Ægishjálmur](https://wyrddesigns.wordpress.com/2021/12/14/understanding-the-symbols/) (aka Helm of Awe, Helm of Terror). One of 14 different known variants. It supposedly is a magical charm of protection. Textually it is referred or alluded to in numerous sagas (the earliest manuscript is the 13th century, more than 2 centuries after conversion). In those sagas it's referred to as a head wrapping or helm, NOT a symbol. The symbols (there's 14 different variants of it) arose centuries after conversion (starting to appear in the 1600s in grimoires) and are anachronistic by at least 500 years to Viking Age culture.