Portal of stave church Borgund - https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stabkirche_Borgund#/media/File:Stave_church_Borgund_west_portal.jpg
Metal: sterling silver (925)
Weight: approx. 20 g (0,7 oz)
Borgund Stave Church (Norwegian: Borgund stavkyrkje) is a former parish church of the Church of Norway in Lærdal Municipality in Vestland county, Norway.
The Vegvisir, also referred to as the runic compass or the Icelandic runes/Nordic compass, comprises a set of eight rune staves. This ancient symbol holds deep significance as a representation of protection and guidance, believed to have served as a compass employed by the Vikings. In the Icelandic language, "vegvisir" translates to "wayfinder" or "sign post."
While commonly recognized as the Viking compass, associated with the seafaring exploits of the Vikings during the Viking Age, the true origins of the Vegvisir remain a topic of lively debate.
The eight Icelandic rune staves forming the Vegvisir are believed to symbolize the cardinal directions (North, South, West, East) as well as the intercardinal directions (Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast).
According to some accounts, it is speculated that Vikings utilized a nail positioned precisely at the center of the Vegvisir to navigate the seas. By observing the nail's shadow at specific times of the day, they could discern their direction and chart their course.
Fascinatingly, legends recount how Icelandic ships adorned themselves with the Vegvisir, also known as the Nordic compass, in order to find their way back home and ensure a safe return.
In contemporary times, the Vegvisir continues to hold cultural significance as a symbol of Icelandic heritage. Additionally, adherents of the Asatru faith embrace it as a profound representation of spiritual guidance and a marker of personal identity.
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