We know from archeology that as far back as the sixth century, the pre-Christian Germanic peoples put the Valknut symbol on all sorts of objects - everything from memorial stones to beds, tapestries and jewelry. But why they did so is a mystery: What did the Valknut mean?

Old Norse literature tells the story of Hrungnir, a creature with a heart 'made of hard stone with three sharp corners'. To be sure, the description fits the distinctive Valknut symbol with its three interlocking triangles. So one theory is that the Valknut was a symbol of Hrungnir's heart.

But historically, the Valknut has more often been associated with Odin, the Norse god of war and death. And in fact, a symbol very similar to the Valknut has been found on many ancient memorial stones which also depict Odin. So the truth may lie more in this direction, because one thing that is known for sure is that the word 'Valknut' has been traced back to its Old Norse roots: vair, meaning 'slain warrior' and knut, meaning knot. 

Today the Valknut symbol has been adopted by many modern people who embrace the beliefs of those ancient Germanic peoples. Their goal is live a worthwhile life based on the Nine Noble Virtues: Truth, courage, discipline, honor, fidelity, hospitality, perseverance, industriousness, and self-reliance. The nine sides that are formed by the three triangles of the Valknut are believed to correspond to these virtues.

 

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