The Triple Horn of Odin Symbol – History And Meaning

The Triskele or the Triple Horn of Odin is an ancient Norse symbol that consists of three interlocked spirals/horns named Boðn, Óðrœrir, and Són. A trilateral symbol, this is also known as the Triskelion. 

If you want to learn more about the Triple Horn of Odin symbol, read on to find out the meaning, history, and significance of this Viking symbol.

The Triple Horn of Odin Symbol – History And Meaning

The Triple Horn of Odin plays a significant part in ancient times as well as in modern Celtic art. The symbol is believed to represent the three realms of material existence: water, earth, and sky. It is also often associated with the three words: physical, spiritual, and celestial.

Triple Horn of Odin Symbol History

The Triple Horn is a symbol that traces its origin to the stealing of the Mead of Poetry by Odin. It is made of three interlocking horns, which depicts the three horns in the myth of Odin and his quest for the magical mead, Odhroerir/Óðrerir, also known as the Mead of Poetry and Mead of Suttungr.

Legend has it that Kvasir, a man said to have been created from the spittle of two groups of Norse gods, was killed by evil dwarves called Fjalar and Galar. Kvasir was believed to be so extremely wise that he knew everything and could answer every question.

After killing him, the dwarves took Kvasir’s blood and mixed it with honey. The mixture was poured and stored in three drinking horns named Óðrœrir/Odhroerir, Boðn, and Són.

The giant Suttungr got the Mead of Poetry from the dwarves. His daughter Gunnlöd guarded it. Odin tricked her into having a sip of the mead for three days. He was only allowed a sip a day, but he consumed an entire horn for each day.

Odin managed to escape by transforming into an eagle. These three drinking horns became the Triple Horn of Odin, his very own emblem.

The earliest known appearances of this symbol are on the Newgrange Kerbstones in 3200 BC. Since then and up to the present times, the Triple Horn of Odin is used as an identifying mark of a person’s Norse origins. It is also known to represent wisdom and inspiration and is often associated with poetry. 

The Triple Horn of Odin Symbol

Recognized as an emblem of the Norse god Odin, the Triple Horn consists of three interlocked drinking horns. It is one of those Viking symbols that are linked with the divine number three. The three horns in the symbol allude to the three times Odin drank the special mead and therefore represents Odin’s nonstop desire for knowledge. 

This symbol is mentioned in various mythological stories that feature Odin and is a known part of traditional Norse toasting rituals. The Triple Horns symbol is also referred to as simply Odin’s Horns and Horned Trickle. 

Today, this symbol is often associated with the Ásatrú faith, and its followers wear or display the Triskelion as a sign of their commitment. 

Triple Horn of Odin Symbol Meaning

There is no exact meaning that is universally linked with the Triple Horns of Odin. However, it is often associated with the stories about Odhroerir or the mead of poetry. The Odhroerir is a magical mead that the dwarves Fjalar and Galar made by mixing the blood of Kvasir and honey.

Odin went on a quest to obtain and drink the mead from three horns. The Triple Horn symbol is believed to pertain to the three times Odin had drunk the mead.

Another meaning that is often associated with the Triple Horn symbol is the sacrifice made in exchange for wisdom. This sacrifice refers to Odin’s quest for obtaining the mead, where he charmed, seduced, and tricked the giantess that guarded the drinking horns.

In Norse mythology, the Mead of Poetry is a symbol of poetic inspiration and wisdom. It was believed that anyone who drank the mead would become a skald or a scholar—wise, just like Kvasir.