The Valknut (pronounced “VAL-knoot”) is one of the most widely-discussed yet enigmatic of all of the symbols that appear in connection with Norse mythology. Visually, it’s comprised of three interlocking triangles. Archaeologically, it appears on several runestones and pictorial memorial stones that date from the Viking Age and stand on the Swedish island of Gotland, as well as on grave goods from the Oseberg ship burial in Norway. Valknut is a Viking word that means “knot of those fallen in battle”.Among many other things, the Viking god Odin was also one of the most powerful of all magicians and shamans. In the literary sources, Odin and his attendant spirits such as the valkyries often use magic that is described in terms of “binding and unbinding”, tying up the mind or untying it. It is said that Odin had the power to lay bonds upon the mind, so that men became helpless in battle, and he could also loosen the tensions of fear and strain by his gifts of battle-madness, battle-intoxication, and inspiration. This is quite likely where the concept of Viking ‘berserkers’ originated. Valknut, with its knot-like appearance, was thought to be a symbolic expression of this binding/unbinding idea.Today the Valknut may be used by those who have the need to instill hesitancy in their enemies or opponents. It may also help confer fearlessness in the wearer during conflict.
