Vegvisir Symbol – History And Meaning

Vegvísir is a modern Icelandic Norse symbol that is said to be a modern version of earlier Viking runic magic. Legend has it that the rune has the power to protect whoever wears it from getting lost.

With the vegvísir, the wearer always finds their way home. It is essentially a wayfinding symbol, which is often referred to as the Viking or Norse Compass. 

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

Vegvisir Symbol – History And Meaning

History of Vegvisir

For the Vikings, the Nordic runes were more than just a system of writing or a way to express how they saw the world as well as their ideas.

They also did not believe that the runes were created by man, but was rather something that was an inherent part of what makes up the universe. The Vikings believed that when used correctly, the runes had the power to make ideas real. 

This is in connection with another belief that runes were actually discovered by the king of the Norse god Odin, who is also the god of war and wisdom. For nine days and nine nights, Odin hung himself from the Yggdrasil while pierced by his own spear. It was only after fulfilling this sacrifice that the secrets of the runes were revealed to him. 

There are also beliefs that it was the Yggdrasil, the Tree of Life, that was the origin of the runes. It is because it was also the Yggdrasil that connected and nourished the nine worlds of Norse mythology.

Accordingly, the Norns or the Norse fates, are frequently depicted as the ones writing the fate of men by carving runes into the very same tree.

At present, the vegvísir or the Viking compass is used by followers of the new Viking religion, Ásatrú. It is now a known symbol of their faith, said to signify guidance both in the physical world and the spiritual world. More than as a symbol of magic, they associate the vegvísir with their faith. 

The Vegvísir Symbol

Widely considered as a wayfinding symbol, the name ‘vegvísir’ translates to “that Which shows the Way.” Made up of eight rune staves, it was regarded by the Vikings as a magical symbol that helped in navigation. It was even carved on sea vessels to ensure their safe return. 

However, even if the vegvísir is often said to be a Viking symbol, there are no records of whether it was actually used during the time of the Vikings or when it was first seen.

There are also no accounts of how it was used, although there are grimoires (books of spells) that say that the vegvísir should be painted on a person’s forehead like the Aegishjalmur or Helm of Awe. 

Vegvísir Symbol Meaning

The vegvísir is also called the runic compass or the Viking compass/Nordic compass. Composed of eight rune staves, this symbol is known to be a symbol of protection and guidance.

The word ‘vegvísir’ translates to ‘wayfinder’ and ‘sign post’ in the Icelandic language, and is believed to have been used as a compass by Vikings. The symbol was often associated with the voyages made by the Vikings around the World from 793 to 1066 A. D. (Viking Age). 

There are two sources that mention the vegvísir and its meaning. One is the Huld Manuscript compiled by Geir Vigfusson in 1880 and the other is The Galdrabók, which is more of a grimoire or “a book of spells”.

According to the Huld Manuscript, the vegvísir is a symbol of guidance and protection in a sentence that says “the wearer of this symbol will not lose his way during storms and bad weather, even if he does not know of his destination.”

Meanwhile, in the Galdrabók, it is said that in order for the vegvísir to provide guidance and protection, it should be drawn in blood on a person’s forehead.

Nowadays, what the vegvísir means in modern Scandinavia has more to do with faith (for those who practice Ásatrú) and as a symbol of Icelandic culture.