Vikings are generally viewed as fierce warriors who raided monasteries and villages in their ships. However, the historical records show that there was a lot more to these Scandinavian seafarers than what has been popularly described. The Vikings were great navigators and explorers, with their voyages taking them from Greenland to Iceland, from Norway to Russia and even as far south as North America. As great sailors and navigators, Vikings understood the significance of compass for safe sea travel. To that end, they came up with a number of compass pendants made from different materials so that they would be able to find ways back home or to new locations. Ivory, bone, antler, metal, and stone were among the most commonly used materials for Viking compass pendants. Let us take a closer look at the meaning and significance of Viking compass pendants –
How Vikings used compass pendants?
Vikings used compass pendants for navigation and as a means to find north or south. While some Viking compass pendants were used to find directions, others would be worn as talismans or good luck charms. The Vikings had a deep understanding of the forces of nature and their importance in navigation. The compasses that they used were made from lodestones, naturally magnetized pieces of iron ore that were easily magnetic. Lodestones were also known as magnetite and they were mined in Scandinavia, Russia, and India. The Viking compass pendants were made of wood, and then they were covered with either a thin sheet of metal or another material to protect it. The Viking compass pendants had a magnetized needle that would be either floating or set in a gimbal, which is a device that is used to stabilize the needle and make it function correctly.
Viking Compass Pendant Meaning and Significance
The Viking compass pendants were not only used for navigation, but they were also used for healing. The Vikings believed that the forces of nature were important for health and healing. The compasses were used to treat a number of diseases including headache, diseases caused by cold and hot weather, as well as poor eyesight. The Viking compass pendants were also used for protection against evil spirits, to protect from the dangers of travel, and to protect from disease. The Viking compass pendants were also used as symbolic representations of the sun, fire, and the sea. They were quite small and could be easily worn on the body. The compasses were usually worn on a string around the neck or on a bracelet.
The Great Importance of Viking Compass Pendants
The Viking compass pendants were important for navigation, but they were also used to treat diseases and to protect against evil. Due to their significance, the Viking compass pendants were also used in trading and were also used as currency. The Vikings traded these compasses and used them as a form of payment. The Viking compass pendants were also buried with the dead as part of the Viking funerary tradition. The compasses were used as grave goods or gifts for the dead, and they also represented the Viking death rites. The Viking compass pendants were also used as charms to protect the Viking warriors. The Viking compass pendants were also used to regulate the Viking diet. The Vikings believed that their diet was important for the health, strength, and survival. The compasses were used as a way to regulate the diet of Viking society.