Aegishjalmur

Aegishjalmur: The North Mythology Symbol

Many peoples of the ancient world believed in otherworldly forces and believed that magical creatures, magic, and various mystical symbols affect not only individuals but also the state as a whole. Therefore, each ethnic group had its amulets (aegishjalmur ring), which made it possible to protect or, at worst, simply scare away dangerous disembodied creatures. 

Nowadays, it has become fashionable to wear instead of Christian symbols, old, but already fashionable pagan talismans (Viking ring). Today we will talk about one of them, the Norse symbol aegishjalmur “Agisyahalm” or the Helm of Terror, which means you can find out a little below.

What is an aegishjalmur?

The Helm of Terror is an ancient sign of the northern peoples. He has established himself among magicians and psychics as one of the strongest magical symbols with a powerful energy charge. In ancient times, aegishjalmur meaning was that the Helm of Terror was not just a magical image, but a whole portal to the underworld. Not every ancient sign can boast of such power. 

The amulet endowed its owner with incredible physical and spiritual strength, relieved the fear of battle, and served as an invisible shield that reflected enemy blades. According to an ancient northern legend, the first bearer of the artifact was the fearless warrior Sigurd. The legendary hero gained fame thanks to the victory over a terrible dragon named Fanfir, who terrorized people for many decades. When the monster was defeated, Sigurd found a dragon dungeon, and in it – a myriad of treasures. Among the mountains of jewels, stones, and gold, the warrior found a symbol with four radiating rays. 

How to pronounce aegishjalmur?

Everyone faces the problem of aegishjalmur pronunciation. This word is not easy and the name of this symbol is difficult to pronounce. The name “Aegishjalmur” comes from “Aegir” (Ægir means “sea” in Old Norse), the ocean god Jotunheim, as well as the land of frost giants and one of the nine kingdoms of the Yggdrasil ash tree. 

Pronounced as “EYE-gis-hiowlm-er”, this special Icelandic rune was used to protect warriors and to instill fear in their enemies. The name can be divided into two parts: ‘ægis-‘, meaning terror/reverence, and ‘-hjálmr’, meaning helm or cover.

What is a Viking aegishjalmur legendary?

Poetic Edda mentions the legendary aegishjalmur when the dragon Fafnir claims to have immense power that stems from the mysterious symbol of the Helm of Awe. Even though in the “poetic Edda” it is referred to as a “helmet of horror”, however, this symbol does not even come close to resembling any kind of helmet. This sign, applied to the forehead of its owner, provides that maximum protection, saving it from otherworldly forces.

What era was aegishjalmur formed?

The symbol of the twelve-pointed (and more – multiples of four) cross received in the Middle Ages the generalized name Norse aegishjalmur, “Helm of Horror” (Old Norse Ægishjalmur). Eddic tradition associates this name with one of the treasures of the dragon Fafnir, inherited by Sigurd, who defeated him. But in Edda, we find only the name, and the sketches of the symbol are found in significantly later Icelandic witchcraft books.

However, this grapheme itself, well known to modern fans of the Nordic Tradition, is much older than both sources. Already in the V millennium BC. era, we find similar symbols on the ceramics of the Central European peoples – in parallel with the swastika and the “cross in a circle”, the prototype of the “Celtic cross”. These are symbols with central symmetry, each “branch” of which continues to branch as it moves away from the center. In later times – in the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and then in the Middle Ages – similar symbols are known in the antiquities of various peoples – Scythians, Slavs and Balts, Germans, Celts, etc. Four-part centrally symmetric symbols on Central European ceramics of the 5th millennium BC – prototypes of future “Helmets of Terror”

Does that mean the letter around aegishjalmur?

The Helm of Fear is a powerful Viking symbol with an aegishjalmur rune for physical, mental, and spiritual protection. The exact meaning of the runes around this symbol does not exist, because Odin is not with us. The initial meaning of runes is a spell of protection from enemies, as well as the ability to overcome them. Other meanings say that these runes give strength and courage to a person when meeting enemies.