Viking pendant Aegisjalmur, bronze

Product description

The Helm of Awe (Old Norse: Ægishjálmr) is a symbol from the 17th century, associated with the ancient Norse Vikings and modern Norwegian paganism. It consists of eight radiating arms that resemble sharp tridents, exuding a powerful threat. The central core appears to be protected by these aggressive protrusions, keeping hostile forces at bay. The magical power of the Ægishjálmr is further confirmed in Icelandic folk magic. A spell, recorded by folklorist Jón Árnason in the 19th century, describes a ritual in which the symbol was cast in lead and placed between the eyebrows of the wearer. The depiction of the Ægishjálmr varied, however, over time. In the Galdrabók, a 17th-century Icelandic grimoire, the helm is sometimes shown with only four arms and without the crosslines seen in other versions. This suggests a considerable flexibility in the artistic and magical interpretations of the symbol.