The vegvísir is featured alongside a number of other galdrastafir (magical staves) in the Huld Manuscript, which was written in Iceland by Geir Vigfusson in 1860. Vegvesir in the video game ‘Valheim' Norse compass or a Norse con? Which is strange, as it’s not actually a viking symbol at all. It can often be seen on viking-inspired tattoos, jewellery and illustrations, and even in video games, such as Valheim. ![]() Literally “way” (vegr) “shower” (vísir), the symbol is meant to prevent the person carrying it from losing their way, and is known colloquially as “The Viking Compass” or “The Nordic Compass”. If you’re interested in viking imagery and symbolism, you will have undoubtedly seen the vegvísir. Variations we have seen include Vegisvir, Vigvisir, Vegisir, Vegvisor, Vegwisir, Vegvesir, Vegvisit and Vegvisr.The vegvísir is a commonly used viking symbol that's meant to stop people from losing their way. The Viking Compass (Vegvisir) is probably the most "differently" or maybe mis-spelled Viking symbol. Today many people of Nordic origin and beyond find inspiration from the Viking symbol as a sign of protection and a guide to find one's way through life. There are also historical mentions of Vegvisir Viking compass being drawn, etched or burned onto the side of Viking ships to give them protection and bring them home safely. In fact archaeologists have shown that the Vikings used a "sunstone" which was a sun compass of sorts on their voyages. If so the eight Icelandic rune lines would correspond to the main directions (North, South, West, East) and middle directions (Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast). It is believed by some that Vegvisir Viking Compass was used for navigation across the seas, but this is not definitely the case. Was the Viking Compass used for Navigation? While Vegvisir and Aegishjalmr, the helm of awe are superficially similar, they are very different Viking symbols. This is similar to how the Aegishjalmur (known as the Helm of Awe) would be used. It says that the Vegvisir must be drawn in fresh blood on a Viking's forehead. In this grimoire it says that the Vegvisir symbol would help its wearer not to be lost and to find their way back. The other historical reference to Vegvisir is the Galdrabok, a spell book which provides knowledge of magic, cosmology, astrology and the Germanic religion and gods. In the Huld Manuscript, the Vegvisir is a symbol of guidance and protection “the wearer of this symbol will not lose his way during storms and bad weather, even if he does not know his destination”. Two sources mention the Vegvisir: the Huld Manuscript by Geir Vigfusson and The Galdrabok, a textbook for magic (grimoire) In Icelandic, vegvisir means "wayfinder" and "sign post." It is made of eight staves. This Runic Compass is a symbol of protection and direction believed to have been used by Vikings for wayfinding. Vegvisir is most commonly known as the Viking Compass or Norse Compass. ![]() They were also made also as a pendant version or Valknut lanyard necklace which Vikings used to wear across their chests so they could reach it easily. Some Viking compasses are made of gold-plated bronze for maximum durability. They are Valknut, Vættraskt and Purskrift – Viking symbols for warriors' staying power in battle, Odin's messengers and protection from the wrath of giants respectively. It has 24 runes inscribed on its surface, some of them being more prominent than others. The Viking runic compass looks just like a rune pendant. Some Viking leaders wore it around their neck, while others had it tattooed in Latin letters on their foreheads. It provides the Vikings with the means of orientating themselves towards distant shores. Vegvísir, meaning 'Wayfinder', was described in chapter 17 of the Icelandic Book of Oddi as "a sign by which those men sail now who have a logical nature". Archeologists have confirmed that Vikings had no magnetic navigational instruments so where did they get their bearings from? The Viking compass (or Norse Compass) is a Viking rune device that re-traces their ancient voyages across the North Atlantic Ocean.
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