The valknut is a symbol consisting of three interlocked triangles, and appears on various
Germanic objects.
A number of theories have been proposed for its significance.
The name valknut is an unattested modern invention used to describe the symbol, and was not used
contemporarily when the symbol was used.
The valknut has been compared to the three-horned symbol found on the 9th century Snoldelev
Stone, and may be related to it.
In Scandinavia today the term valknute is used for a square with a loop on each of its
four corners.
In the English language this symbol is called Saint John's Arms.
Traditional forms The historically attested instances of the
symbol appear in two traditional, topologically distinct, forms.
The symbol appears in unicursal form, topologically a trefoil knot also seen in the triquetra.
This unicursal form is found, for example, on the 7th century Tängelgårda stone on
the island of Gotland, Sweden.
The symbol also appears in tricursal form, consisting of three linked triangles, topologically
equivalent to the Borromean rings.
This tricursal form can be seen on one of the Lärbro stones, also on Gotland, Sweden,
as well as upon a ring found in the River Nene in England, and on a bedpost found within
the 834 Oseberg ship burial from Slagen, Norway.
Although other forms are topologically possible, these are the only attested forms found so
far.
Theories Hrungnir's heart
Chapter 17 of the 13th century Prose Edda book Skáldskaparmál contains the following
description of the heart of the Jötunn Hrungnir; "Hrungnir had a heart that was famous.
It was made of hard stone with three sharp-pointed corners just like the carved symbol hrungnishjarta
[Hrungnir's heart]."
Comparisons have been made between this symbol description and the symbol known as the valknut.
Odin and mental binds Hilda Ellis Davidson theorizes a connection
between the valknut, the god Odin and "mental binds":
For instance, beside the figure of Odin on his horse shown on several memorial stones
there is a kind of knot depicted, called the valknut, related to the triskele.
This is thought to symbolize the power of the god to bind and unbind, mentioned in the
poems and elsewhere.
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,
intoxication, and inspiration.
Davidson says that similar symbols are found beside figures of wolves and ravens on "certain
cremation urns" from Anglo-Saxon cemeteries in East Anglia.
According to Davidson, Odin's connection to cremation is known, and it does not seem unreasonable
to connect with Woden, the god of the dead in Anglo-Saxon England.
Additionally, Davidson proposes further connections between Odin's role as bringer of ecstasy
with the etymology of the names Wodan and the later Oðinn.
Other Due to the Norwegian name for the symbol,
valknuter, and the fact that the symbol appears on picture stones with Odin and on burial
gifts in the Oseberg ship burial, Rudolf Simek states that the symbol may have been associated
with religious practices surrounding death.
Topology The valknut is topologically equivalent to
either the Borromean rings, the trefoil knot, or a closed 3-link chain, depending on the
particular artistic depiction:
Modern use The valknut symbol plays a role in modern
Germanic Neopagan faiths, where numerous explanations and interpretations of the symbol are given,
has been used by various political groups, and sometimes sees use in modern popular culture.
Examples of usage include the Swedish pulp and paper manufacturer and consumer goods
company Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget's use of a triquetra valknut as their logo, which
can be commonly seen on many products produced by the company.
The Deutscher Fußball-Bund has used a logo for the German national football team inspired
by the unicursal form of the valknut.
The symbol, like many others associated with Germanic neopaganism, is used by some white
supremacists but is not generally regarded as objectionable.
See also Looped square
Swastika Notes
References
External links Borromean Triangles: A Viking Symbol