Vegvisir Tattoo

Published on: 27/09/2021

The Vegvisir tattoo or vegvisir compass is a symbol that represents a viking compass or a runic compass. The Vegvisir is an emblem that evokes protection and direction. It is one of the oldest Viking symbols. This Vegvisir tattoo is of Icelandic origin.

@valkyrie_tattooing

Vegvisir tattoo: meanings and examples

The term Vegvisir is the combination of the word "Vegur", which means road and "Visir", which means guide. In Iceland, Vegvisir means traveler and sign post. It is a magical symbol attributed to lead the Vikings through bad weather. The Vegvisir is a compass made up of 8 branches. The 8 symbols that embellish the branches are an assemblage of lines, circles, half-circles and dots. They correspond to various kinds of protection in the face of difficulties. Four of these branches express the cardinal directions, North, South, East and West. The other branches show the inter-cardinals.

@ronja.roevardotter

According to some people, when it is placed in the center of the amulet of protection and luck, it directly points to the road to be taken. This allowed the Vikings to orient themselves and travel the seas without getting lost. In addition, the tales tell that the compass of vegvisir protects the Viking soldiers so that they arrive safe and sound at their place without obstacle. For this, it is engraved on their boat, mainly on the sails.

@inkforge_art

@noemy_bon_tattooartist

In Iceland, Icelanders keep the tradition of painting it, especially on the doors of their houses, to show that they are on the right path. But the Vegvisir also alludes to astrology, mythological creatures, spells, demons, spells, etc. He also played a very essential role in people who were convinced of magical powers, such as the Nordic wizards. The Vegvisir has several meanings.

@nina_beautiful_trauma

@samycobain

@vanessa.riva.b

The Vegvisir is cited in two sources. The first source is in the Huld manuscript, imitated by Geir Vigfusson in 1880. The Vegvisir is mentioned as an emblem of guidance and protection. Some parts of the manuscript's lore are influenced by folk customs. The Vegvisir could be one of these plots according to the opinion of specialists. The second source was in another manuscript, named the Galdrabok, which is a grimoire "a manual of magic". A book that describes in detail the spells accidentally borrowed and feeds the notions of magic. According to Galdrabok, the Vegvisir should be engraved on the forehead in blood to be protected and guided.

@cozzy13_

@chapinkgt

Archaeological explorations have revealed that the Vikings used a sun stone, a kind of sun compass, when they circumnavigated the globe from North America to the Far East. Although the sun compass does not look like the Vegvisir, it could be the idea behind the emblem.

@salvo.cors

@mystictattooarts

@manitootattoo

When the Vikings put on their tattoo, there was a differentiation between men and women. The tattoo was worn in women on the shoulders or wrists. That of men was worn either on the head or on the face. Which is no longer the case in the modern world, since people put the Vegvisir tattoo on any part of the body. Whether on the forearm, arm, leg or also on the back. They choose them in their own way and according to their style.