PDA

View Full Version : Alternatives to Thor's Hammer



Baron Samedi
04-23-2009, 04:33 PM
I was just wondering if any of you guys wore some symbol besides the standard Thor's Hammer affair.

I'm thinking of ditching mine, personally, after all of these dumbass "Viking" bands are making it a fashion statement, as opposed to an ideological/spiritual one.

Solwyn
04-23-2009, 04:44 PM
Why not a Valknot? Or Sleipnir? Step apart from the crowd, LOL, everyone has a Thor's Hammer. Be different.

I get a lot of funny looks for my hammer here because it's an Icelandic style, and on first glance it looks like a railway spike. People think I'm some sort of train nut, but then they start asking and realize when I start answering that they were probably better off just thinking that I had a thing for trains:tongue

You could just go without jewelry. It isn't really necessary. :cool:

Tabiti
04-23-2009, 04:56 PM
I've "suffered" the same problem some time ago with national (the Rosette from Pliska) and foreign (Thor's hammer, Schwarze Sonne and some Scandinavic runes) sacred symbols which became so commercial I expect even local gypsies to decorate themselves with them...However, about 90% of the people today don't even know why are they wearing something, instead of its "cool look". Where is the problem to express your belief, to wear what your heart wants? Time will pass, they'll throw their Thor's hammers away because of age, social group, job, changed believes and so on different excuses for their poserness.
The symbols of faith are in your heart, not on a necklace!

Psychonaut
04-23-2009, 06:03 PM
Not that I've seen any good examples of these, but I imagine that a simple, unadorned sun wheel would speak to the core of Heathenry without making you look like a viking wannabe. The same would probably hold true for an Algiz or Odal rune.

Lyfing
04-23-2009, 06:28 PM
I wore a Thor's Hammer for a while. It wasn't like most would think. My friend made it out of strings. It had two swastikas on it. It was green with red swastikas. It was strong knot magic. He really did a great job of it.

It later got destroyed when I got tied up myself..They took by bag of runes and touched them and then pulled my hammer apart..:thumb001:

I've never liked jewelry. I wear my wedding ring and I probably won't wear anything else ever.

I have a a few tattoos, one of a Valknot on my shoulder, a Swastika on my solar plexus, and a bind rune of Eihwaz and Uruz on my other shoulder. If anything I will get a few more along those lines..

I wouldn't worry about looking like a wannabe if I were anyone. We can tell and that is all that matters. Actions speak louder than symbols..

Later,
-Lyfing

Óttar
04-23-2009, 07:40 PM
Methinks there needs to be more Vanir symbols i.e. for Freyr and Freya. Maybe someone should design a Hildisvini necklace.

http://www.ragweedforge.com/1226.jpg

Alas, it's been done.

YggsVinr
05-08-2009, 02:25 PM
In the early 2000s there used to be a decent online store called Geri et Freki (Geri and Freki), I can't recall if it was based out of France or Québec. Used to be a link to it on the site for the Québec chapter of the VLHF but I can't seem to find the store anymore. It used to sell various statuettes, necklaces etc. beyond the typical symbols you see in most stereotypical shops. If you can find it/if they're still around they'd likely have what you're looking for. Ottar's post reminded me of the place.

The only necklace I wear is one my mother had made for me after my grandmother died. Its an amulet with my grandmother's wedding band interwoven inside what's commonly known as Saint John's Arms, an old northern European symbol for luck occasionally found on runestones.

lei.talk
05-09-2009, 07:39 AM
In the early 2000s there used to be a decent online store called Geri et Freki (http://www.geri-freki.com/) (Geri and Freki), I can't recall if it was based out of France or Québec.the telephone number appears to be in france.

Susi
05-10-2009, 03:55 AM
I only wear Thor's Hammer if it is given to me by someone else. The one given to me by my ex I no longer wear. The one given to me by my aunt, I do on ocassion. The one given to me by my friend I wear always. I used to, before the hammer, wear Fenris.

Ladejarlen
05-10-2009, 06:43 AM
I have a icelandic wolf cross in addition to my hammer, a friend told me the icelandic wolf cross came into being when heathens started being prosecuted by christians. Like it is a more subtle Torshammer. Valknuten is nice, but isnt it like marking yourself for death? Since it is the symbol of the slain? Val means fallen, valkyrie, valhall, valfar, valplassen...

Other heathen symbols I like much is the Odal rune, the suncross and the irminsul tree.

Tabiti
05-10-2009, 07:26 AM
Heard that wearing/tattooing Valknuten may brought you violent death? Is that supposed to be true, due its meaning?

Psychonaut
05-10-2009, 07:39 AM
I only wear Thor's Hammer if it is given to me by someone else. The one given to me by my ex I no longer wear. The one given to me by my aunt, I do on ocassion. The one given to me by my friend I wear always. I used to, before the hammer, wear Fenris.

I'm intrigued. Of all the possible mythological creatures to wear a representation of, why Fenris?

Susi
05-10-2009, 05:25 PM
I'm intrigued. Of all the possible mythological creatures to wear a representation of, why Fenris?


It was bought for me when I was a child by my aunt.

I wore it because of what Fenris is, and to remind me that people aren't far off from it. I wore it to remind myself of what is to come. There are many reasons...

Euroblood
05-10-2009, 08:39 PM
I would suggest wearing a rune that fits you, or an Irminsul. Just a thought...

Susi
05-10-2009, 09:45 PM
I would suggest wearing a rune that fits you, or an Irminsul. Just a thought...

An explanation as to why it's a viable alternative would be nice.

Brynhild
05-10-2009, 10:06 PM
I wear a shield knot like this one sometimes:
http://z.about.com/d/altreligion/1/0/c/U/2/shieldknot4.jpg

I don't like wearing a lot of pendants and other jewellery at once, they get in the way. I only do that when I go out.

Euroblood
05-12-2009, 12:45 AM
An explanation as to why it's a viable alternative would be nice.

But of course...

By using a rune that fits, I mean one that works with the personality or one that there is some kind of connection. Heathenry promotes individuality, and many people have patron deities, so why not have a rune that fits with you?

Irminsul is the god-pillar, the divine pillar. It is a symbol that exudes power. And I just think it would work as a substitute for a Thor's hammer.

Groenewolf
05-12-2009, 04:22 PM
Heard that wearing/tattooing Valknuten may brought you violent death? Is that supposed to be true, due its meaning?

I wear this one besides a thors-hammer :

http://www.taliesin.nl/images/f51053181.0963e495bfd2cd3f.jpg

I have to say that is connected with Odin. And possible violent death. But I have also seen the symbiol in relation with rites of initation. In wich a symbolic reancement of Wodans selfsacrifce took place.

Solwyn
05-14-2009, 04:20 PM
Heard that wearing/tattooing Valknuten may brought you violent death? Is that supposed to be true, due its meaning?

Great question!!!!

Let's hope not, LOL, because I don't have the money to have this stuff lasered off my skin:D

The belief in the Valknot symbol being the harbinger of violent death reeks of superstition to me. I have heard this before, but it is my opinion that a symbol can not hurt you. It requires collective or individual energy to give it power, and then, is it the symbol that does the work or the human being standing behind it?

Without any meaning attached to it, a Valknot is just three triangles looped together. If you had no knowledge of the culture of Northern Europe or it's symbolism, the Valknot would mean absolutely nothing to you, unless, perchance, it was also a symbol of a culture you were familiar with. It's meaning might then be different, depending on which society used it.

:thumbs up

Aemma
05-14-2009, 07:23 PM
Good question Hemingway. Yes the Thor's Hammer might be something of a fashionable item to wear today for some people who do not understand nor share its spiritual significance. Case in point: the store where I bought my present hammer caters to the Goth and Medieval crowd carrying clothing and accoutrements of a certain style. It was by pure chance that I found my present hammer there among the pentacles and other what-nots. But fashion being the fickle animal that it is will eventually see the Thor's Hammer going the way of the dodo bird for these fashionistas and then we get to wear ours fully knowing that it actually means something to us. In the meantime I tend to be more in a grin-and-bear-it type of mode and just carry on.

My symbol of preference though has always been the Valknut. I used to wear one until that piece of jewelry which I own made me break out into a rash. :( I need to find a better one and one NOT made in China (though this one was made in Canada by a Heathen). Yes purists will raise eyebrows as to its wearing, it being the symbol of the fallen in the name of Odin. But for me the Valknut means more than that: as a modern, I have given it its own spin in terms of representing the Norns, representing the continuation of Life and Essence, and representing Perfect Wholeness. My purist friends have scoffed at my own modern interpretations pointing out the lack of traditional symbolism and my seemingly sheer disregard for its original meaning. But then again I counter that with the idea that though timeless, symbols only become truly significant when a person accords it its meaning. Let's just say that I tend to use some poetic license in the exercise of according meaning to some symbols. :)

I also like the World Tree/Irminsul and the Icelandic Hammer. They please me very much from an aesthetic as well as a spiritual viewpoint.

Cheers!...Aemma

Angantyr
05-15-2009, 05:28 AM
I wear an Eponis Quatrefoil made by a Heathen in Canada. It looks like a Swastika, but it ain't.

http://www.ragweedforge.com/5149.jpg

Solwyn
05-15-2009, 02:07 PM
One of my students from Croatia has something very much like your quatrefoil in her watchface. It was made by a jeweler for her in her home country. It's quite lovely and it moves with the watch hands. :)

Tabiti
05-15-2009, 02:09 PM
I wear an Eponis Quatrefoil made by a Heathen in Canada. It looks like a Swastika, but it ain't.

http://www.ragweedforge.com/5149.jpg
I have that pendant:
http://silverunicorn.org/p/medallions/images/65.jpg
It was also used by my ancenstors.

Angantyr
05-17-2009, 02:51 AM
The Eponis Quatrefoil is actually Celtic. It is the symbol of the eponymous Epona, the Goddess of horses. Those faces on the quatrefoil are horse heads. What I wear is a full scale reproduction of a sixth century original piece of Celtic jewellery found in a burial mound.

Here is the original:
http://www.ragweedforge.com/5149-original.jpg

Psychonaut
05-17-2009, 02:54 AM
I wear an Eponis Quatrefoil made by a Heathen in Canada. It looks like a Swastika, but it ain't.

I'd love to pick up one of those! Do you have the contact information for the fellow who makes those?

asulf
09-07-2009, 04:16 PM
In the early 2000s there used to be a decent online store called Geri et Freki (Geri and Freki), I can't recall if it was based out of France or Québec. Used to be a link to it on the site for the Québec chapter of the VLHF but I can't seem to find the store anymore. It used to sell various statuettes, necklaces etc. beyond the typical symbols you see in most stereotypical shops. If you can find it/if they're still around they'd likely have what you're looking for. Ottar's post reminded me of the place.

The only necklace I wear is one my mother had made for me after my grandmother died. Its an amulet with my grandmother's wedding band interwoven inside what's commonly known as Saint John's Arms, an old northern European symbol for luck occasionally found on runestones.

For my part I wear next my aspirations? to be a Thor Hammer is the Odal rune pendant.
for a shop Geri and Freki , this is http://www.geri-freki.com/index.htm
france

Aemma
09-07-2009, 04:33 PM
For my part I wear next my aspirations? to be a Thor Hammer is the Odal rune pendant.
for a shop Geri and Freki , this is http://www.geri-freki.com/index.htm
france

Ahh but this site is spectacular Asulf! Thank you for having posted it. They certainly have different pieces of jewelry which up until now I had not yet come across. Would you know of other such shops in France or Europe?

Thank you again! :)

asulf
09-08-2009, 03:26 PM
Great question!!!!

Let's hope not, LOL, because I don't have the money to have this stuff lasered off my skin:D

The belief in the Valknot symbol being the harbinger of violent death reeks of superstition to me. I have heard this before, but it is my opinion that a symbol can not hurt you. It requires collective or individual energy to give it power, and then, is it the symbol that does the work or the human being standing behind it?

Without any meaning attached to it, a Valknot is just three triangles looped together. If you had no knowledge of the culture of Northern Europe or it's symbolism, the Valknot would mean absolutely nothing to you, unless, perchance, it was also a symbol of a culture you were familiar with. It's meaning might then be different, depending on which society used it.

:thumbs up
that I know of that symbol, is mainly a talisman. supposed to protect the soul of the deceased from evil, that to meet it on its last leg into after dead, noeus the slaying of serious, on the urn


Ahh but this site is spectacular Asulf! Thank you for having posted it. They certainly have different pieces of jewelry which up until now I had not yet come across. Would you know of other such shops in France or Europe?

Thank you again! :)
of course i be back:D


Ahh but this site is spectacular Asulf! Thank you for having posted it. They certainly have different pieces of jewelry which up until now I had not yet come across. Would you know of other such shops in France or Europe?

Thank you again! :)

http://stores.shop.ebay.fr/bragi09__W0QQ_armrsZ1
is great. http://stores.shop.ebay.fr/Ars-Historica__W0QQ_armrsZ1
and for the end
the best shop is for asulf........http://www.jelldragon.com/thors_hammers.htm:cool:


Ahh but this site is spectacular Asulf! Thank you for having posted it. They certainly have different pieces of jewelry which up until now I had not yet come across. Would you know of other such shops in France or Europe?

Thank you again! :)

http://stores.shop.ebay.fr/bragi09__W0QQ_armrsZ1
is great. http://stores.shop.ebay.fr/Ars-Historica__W0QQ_armrsZ1
and for the end
the best shop is for asulf........http://www.jelldragon.com/thors_hammers.htm:cool:

Phlegethon
09-09-2009, 07:02 AM
I wear Phleg's Bottle Opener:

http://www.dragongifts.net/nfoscomm/catalog/images/37942.jpg

There be dragons!

Artorius
09-10-2009, 05:05 PM
I was just wondering if any of you guys wore some symbol besides the standard Thor's Hammer affair.

I'm thinking of ditching mine, personally, after all of these dumbass "Viking" bands are making it a fashion statement, as opposed to an ideological/spiritual one.

It makes no difference to me if and why others wear the hammer. Mjollnir pendants can go in and out of style, but I'll continue to wear mine because I'm heathen. If you want to set yourself apart from the fashionistas, you might consider making your own hammer or irminsul. Carving it out of wood or antler. This is what I plan to do when I find a decent antler.

Paleo
09-10-2009, 10:06 PM
I'm an atheist,

i ware a thor's hammer because; if I'm wrong, valhalla sounds awesome. :D

and I'll apologise to Odin himself.

Germanicus
09-10-2009, 10:20 PM
This is an unusual gift i have bought Mrs Germanicus.

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n449/ruffusruffcut/crafty_celts_bracelet_wolf.jpg

Hweinlant
09-11-2009, 10:25 PM
^^

That seems lot like the "Fenris" found from Nousiainen (Finland) in 1770, kept in Stockholm museum.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2qld4k5.jpg

My Avatar is not Thors hammer btw, it is Ukko's Axe (related no doubt).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukonvasara