Symbols in My Art
For me at least, knowing as much as I can about a symbol I find beautiful, powerful or otherwise influencing, gives it even more depth and worth. So, therefore, I've decided to write a short introduction to the symbols you will find in my arts and crafts.
Thors Hammer, Mjolnir
Mjolnir was created by the dwarfs Eitre and Brokk. It always hits its target and then returns to the hand of Thor.It is a strong protective amulet and is sometimes decorated with eyes and beaks of an eagle, the bird of the God of thunder, Thor.
The Snake Goddess of Smiss
This suggestive motif was discovered relatively late, 1952. It was found in Smiss, a farm in the parish of Naer in Gotland, Sweden. The stone was made sometime between 400-600 C.E.The figure on the stone has puzzled archaeologists ever since it was found. There have been quite a number of theories to the nature of it, from the quite improbable christian "Daniel in the lion pit" to Oden and celtic influences making it Cernunnos, but the most common one is the snake goddess.
What ever theory you subscribe to is up to you; for me she's a Goddess, full of sexual and magical power, knowing both life and death, light and dark.
The Pentagram or Fylfot
The five-pointed star called pentagram or, in Swedish folklore Fylfot, is a symbol with many meanings.In Swedish folklore, it is a symbol of protection, often found carved on barns.
For wiccans, the Pentagrams five points symbolizes the four elements: air, fire, water and earth, plus aether or spirit.
The pentagram is also associated with the element of earth, see for example the suit of pentacles or coins in the minor arcana of the Tarot.
Least but not last it symbolizes the Evening Star, Venus.
The Triple Moon
The triple moon is a modern symbol mainly used by wiccans or Goddess worshippers. The three different phases of the moon symbolizez the Goddes in her three aspects as Maiden (new moon), Mother (full moon) and Crone (waning moon).
The Sun Wheel
This Sunwheel comes from Sanda on the Swedish island of Gotland. It is dated to 400 C.E. (Common Era).The sun and its movement, both the shorter span of a day and the longer one of a year, has always been important to man. During the Scandinavian bronze age, Sun worship was common.
The sun symbolizes life, light, warmth, the wheel of the year, fertility, but also draught, searing heat and famine. Too much of a good thing is bad.
The Aegishjelm or Helmet of Terror
The Aegishjelm or Helmet of Terror is another strong protective symbol. Norse warriors used to paint it on their shields or bodies to be kept from harm in battle.
A L U
The runes Ass, Lagu and Ur together have the same numerical value as the whole rune alphabet. This makes them as strong as the whole of the Uthark and they are used for protection.