This Viking pendant necklace features the Helm of Awe, in Old Norse, which was used to strike fear in the hearts of the enemy, encircled by the Elder Futhark Runes. The other side features Vegvisir, the Viking Compass.Pendant height 2 1/4"Pendant width 1 5/8"Necklace length is 23 1/2"All pendant necklaces come with a stainless steel chain.The following is from the Poetic Edda in the book of Fafnismal where Fafnir declares his strength and power from using the Helm of Awe.The Helm of AweI wore before the sons of menIn defense of my treasure;Amongst all, I alone was strong,I thought to myself,For I found no power a match for my own.[1]The Vegvisir , "That Which Shows the Way", pronounced "VEGG-vee-seer". "If this sign is carried, one will never lose one's way in storms or bad weather, even when the way is not known." The Elder Futhark Runes are the original runic alphabet of the ancient Vikings and consists of 24 letters. The runes are symbols of the most powerful forces in the cosmos. The word 'rune' means both letter and secret. Runes allow one to access, use, and change the world shaping forces they symbolize. Odin watched the Norns from his seat in Asgard and envied their powers and wisdom and bend his will toward the task of coming to know the runes. To gain the secret knowledge of the runes Odin sacrificed himself to himself. He hung himself from a branch of Yggdrasil , pierced himself with his spear, and stared down into the shadowy waters of the Well of Urd below calling to the runes for nine days and nine nights. At the end of the ninth night the Runes accepted Odin's sacrifice and shown themselves to him, revealing to him all their secrets and powers they possessed.Then I was fertilized and became wise;I truly grew and thrived.From a word to a word I was led to a word,From a work to a work I was led to a work.
