Jump to content

Helm of Awe: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Tidying
 
(16 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Object in Norse mythology}}
{{Short description|Object in Norse mythology and modern magical stave}}
{{multiple issues|
⚫
[[File:Aegishjalmr.svg|thumb|A modern Icelandic occult symbol that shares the name of the object in Norse mythology]]
{{Unreliable sources|date=July 2023}}
⚫
The '''Helm of Awe''' or Helm of Terror (Icelandic: ''Ægishjálmur'', Old Norse ''Œgishjalmr'') is an object in [[Norse mythology]] relating to the hoard protected by the [[Germanic dragon|worm]] [[Fáfnir]] and subsequently the name of an [[Icelandic magical staves|Icelandic magical stave]].
{{More citations needed|date=July 2023}}
}}

⚫
[[File:Aegishjalmr.svg|thumb|The modern Icelandic occult symbol that shares the name of the object in Norse mythology]]
⚫
The '''Helm of Awe''' or '''Helm of Terror''' (Icelandic: ''Ægishjálmur'', Old Norse ''Œgishjalmr'') is an object in [[Norse mythology]] relating to the hoard protected by the [[Germanic dragon|worm]] [[Fáfnir]] and subsequently the name of a modern [[Icelandic magical staves|Icelandic magical stave]].


==Medieval attestations of the object==
==Medieval attestations of the object==
===Völsunga saga===
===Völsunga saga===
A physical object called the "Helm of Terror" is referenced as one item Sigurð takes from Fafnir's hoard after he slays him in [[Völsunga saga]].<ref>Byock, Jesse. The Saga of the Volsungs. London: Penguin, 1999, pp. 66.</ref>
A physical object called the "Helm of Terror" is referenced as one item Sigurð takes from Fafnir's hoard after he slays him in [[Völsunga saga]].<ref>Byock, Jesse. ''The Saga of the Volsungs''. London: Penguin, 1999, pp. 66.</ref>


===Reginsmál===
===Reginsmál===
Line 13: Line 18:
The object is also discussed in [[Fáfnismál]] in the [[Poetic Edda]], here translated as "Fear-helm":
The object is also discussed in [[Fáfnismál]] in the [[Poetic Edda]], here translated as "Fear-helm":


{| width="50%"
{| width="60%"
! width="25%" | [[Old Norse]] text{{sfn|Fáfnismál (ON)|loc=Stanza 16 & 17}}
! width="30%" | [[Old Norse]] text{{sfn|Fáfnismál (ON)|loc=Stanza 16 & 17}}
! width="25%" | [[Henry Adams Bellows (businessman)|Bellows]] translation{{sfn|Bellows|2004|loc=Fafnismol: stanzas 16 & 17}}
! width="30%" | [[Henry Adams Bellows (businessman)|Bellows]] translation{{sfn|Bellows|2004|loc=Fafnismol: stanzas 16 & 17}}
|-
|-
|
|
Line 46: Line 51:
In the next stanzas of the poem, Sigurð refers to the helm again:
In the next stanzas of the poem, Sigurð refers to the helm again:


{| width="50%"
{| width="60%"
! width="25%" | [[Old Norse]] text{{sfn|Fáfnismál (ON)|loc=Stanza 19}}
! width="30%" | [[Old Norse]] text{{sfn|Fáfnismál (ON)|loc=Stanza 19}}
! width="25%" | [[Henry Adams Bellows (businessman)|Bellows]] translation{{sfn|Bellows|2004|loc=Fafnismol: stanzas 19}}
! width="30%" | [[Henry Adams Bellows (businessman)|Bellows]] translation{{sfn|Bellows|2004|loc=Fafnismol: stanzas 19}}
|-
|-
|
|
Line 56: Line 61:
:{{lang|non|at þann hjalm hafi."}}
:{{lang|non|at þann hjalm hafi."}}
|
|
"Glittering worm, thy hissing was great,
:"Glittering worm, thy hissing was great,
And hard didst show thy heart;
:And hard didst show thy heart;
But hatred more | have the sons of men
:But hatred more | have the sons of men
For him who owns the helm."
:For him who owns the helm."
|}
|}


==The modern stave==
==Origin of the Stave==
The first recorded appearance of the symbol came from the Galdrakver written in 1670 and recovered from the collection of Bishop Hannes Finnsson by Jón Árnason and rebound in 1865.<ref>{{cite web |title=Galdrakver |url=https://handrit.is/manuscript/view/is/Lbs08-0143/25 |website=handrit.is |access-date=12 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427134228/https://handrit.is/manuscript/view/is/Lbs08-0143/25#page/10v/mode/2up |archive-date=27 April 2022 |page=26 |language=Icelandic, Latin}}</ref>
The symbol of the same name as the object in the medieval material came from the Huld manuscript written and collected in 1847, and has no previous attestations. The symbol was used as a part of a Christian magic ritual that may have had some movements rooted in Icelandic culture, but was very common ritualistic practice across [[Christendom]].{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}


==Link between the item and symbol==
==Link between the item and symbol==
While it is debated whether the Helm of Awe may have been an actual helm, in Medieval sources, it never references a symbol such as that recorded in the [[modern period]]. The meaning of the word used to define the helm seemed to change as years went on, going from a physical object to a voracious trait of striking fear into one with a glance.{{sfn|Storesund}}{{reliable source|date=May 2023}}
While it is debated whether the Helm of Awe may have been an actual helm, in Medieval sources, it never references a symbol such as that recorded in the [[modern period]]. The meaning of the word used to define the helm seemed to change as years went on, going from a physical object to a voracious trait of striking fear into one with a glance.{{sfn|Storesund}}{{unreliable source?|date=May 2023}}


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Bind rune]]
* [[Sigil]] - a type of magical symbol
* [[Sigil]] - a type of magical symbol
* [[Vegvísir]] - another Icelandic magical stave first recorded in the modern period
* [[Vegvísir]] - another Icelandic magical stave first recorded in the modern period
Line 78: Line 84:
===Primary===
===Primary===
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last1=Bellows |first1=Henry Adam |title=The Poetic Edda: The Mythological Poems |date=2004 |publisher=Dover Publications |location=Mineola, NY |isbn=9780486437101 |url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/index.htm}}
* {{cite book|last1=Bellows |first1=Henry Adam |title=The Poetic Edda: The Mythological Poems |date=2004 |publisher=Dover Publications |location=Mineola, NY |isbn=9780486437101 |url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/index.htm}}
* {{cite web |ref={{SfnRef|Fáfnismál (ON)}}|title=Fáfnismál – heimskringla.no |url=https://heimskringla.no/wiki/F%C3%A1fnism%C3%A1l |website=heimskringla.no |access-date=26 May 2023}}
* {{cite web|ref={{SfnRef|Fáfnismál (ON)}}|title=Fáfnismál |url=https://heimskringla.no/wiki/F%C3%A1fnism%C3%A1l |website=heimskringla.no |access-date=26 May 2023}}


===Secondary===
===Secondary===
* {{cite web |last1=Storesund |first1=Eirik |title=Clubbing Solomon's Seal: The Occult Roots of the Ægishjálmur |url=https://www.brutenorse.com/blog/2018/5/14/the-gishjalmur |website=Brute Norse |access-date=15 December 2022}}
* {{cite web|last1=Storesund |first1=Eirik |title=Clubbing Solomon's Seal: The Occult Roots of the Ægishjálmur |url=https://www.brutenorse.com/blog/2018/5/14/the-gishjalmur |website=Brute Norse |access-date=15 December 2022}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}

⚫
{{Norse paganism footer}}


[[Category:Magic symbols]]
[[Category:Magic symbols]]
[[Category:Mythological objects]]
[[Category:Artifacts in Norse mythology]]
[[Category:Sources of Norse mythology]]
[[Category:Völsung cycle]]
[[Category:Völsung cycle]]



⚫
{{Norse paganism footer}}
{{Norse-myth-stub}}
{{Norse-myth-stub}}
{{Iceland-stub}}
{{Iceland-stub}}

Latest revision as of 19:41, 8 November 2024

The modern Icelandic occult symbol that shares the name of the object in Norse mythology

The Helm of Awe or Helm of Terror (Icelandic: Ægishjálmur, Old Norse Œgishjalmr) is an object in Norse mythology relating to the hoard protected by the worm Fáfnir and subsequently the name of a modern Icelandic magical stave.

Medieval attestations of the object

[edit]

Völsunga saga

[edit]

A physical object called the "Helm of Terror" is referenced as one item Sigurð takes from Fafnir's hoard after he slays him in Völsunga saga.[1]

Reginsmál

[edit]

In the prose of Reginsmál, Fáfnir is described as owning the helm and that all living creatures feared it.[2]

Fáfnismál

[edit]

The object is also discussed in Fáfnismál in the Poetic Edda, here translated as "Fear-helm":

Old Norse text[3] Bellows translation[4]

Fáfnir kvað:

"Ægishjalm bar ek of alda sonum,
meðan ek of menjum lák;
einn rammari hugðumk öllum vera,
fannk-a ek svá marga mögu."

Sigurðr kvað:

"Ægishjalmr bergr einungi,
hvar skulu vreiðir vega;
þá þat finnr, er með fleirum kemr,
at engi er einna hvatastr."

Fafnir spake:

The fear-helm I wore to afright mankind,
While guarding my gold I lay;
Mightier seemed I than any man,
For a fiercer never I found.

Sigurth spake:

"The fear-helm surely no man shields
When he faces a valiant foe;
Oft one finds, when the foe he meets,
That he is not the bravest of all."

In the next stanzas of the poem, Sigurð refers to the helm again:

Old Norse text[5] Bellows translation[6]
"Inn fráni ormr, þú gerðir fræs mikla
ok galzt harðan hug;
heift at meiri verðr hölða sonum,
at þann hjalm hafi."
"Glittering worm, thy hissing was great,
And hard didst show thy heart;
But hatred more | have the sons of men
For him who owns the helm."

Origin of the Stave

[edit]

The first recorded appearance of the symbol came from the Galdrakver written in 1670 and recovered from the collection of Bishop Hannes Finnsson by Jón Árnason and rebound in 1865.[7]

[edit]

While it is debated whether the Helm of Awe may have been an actual helm, in Medieval sources, it never references a symbol such as that recorded in the modern period. The meaning of the word used to define the helm seemed to change as years went on, going from a physical object to a voracious trait of striking fear into one with a glance.[8][unreliable source?]

See also

[edit]
  • Bind rune
  • Sigil - a type of magical symbol
  • Vegvísir - another Icelandic magical stave first recorded in the modern period

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Byock, Jesse. The Saga of the Volsungs. London: Penguin, 1999, pp. 66.
  2. ^ Bellows 2004, Reginsmol: prose prelude to stanza 15.
  3. ^ Fáfnismál (ON), Stanza 16 & 17.
  4. ^ Bellows 2004, Fafnismol: stanzas 16 & 17.
  5. ^ Fáfnismál (ON), Stanza 19.
  6. ^ Bellows 2004, Fafnismol: stanzas 19.
  7. ^ "Galdrakver". handrit.is (in Icelandic and Latin). p. 26. Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  8. ^ Storesund.

Bibliography

[edit]

Primary

[edit]

Secondary

[edit]


Stub icon

This article relating to a Norse myth or legend is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Stub icon

This Iceland-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Helm_of_Awe&oldid=1256204808"