Aegishjalmr, better known as the Helm of Awe, is one of the best-known Norse symbols. It is a magical runic stave that offers warriors protection, as well as helping them draw on reserves of courage and strength.
Power of the Runes
Symbols were important in the Viking world. It begins with the runes, which the Vikings believed were more than just an alphabet that could be used to record the world. Runes were also potent magical symbols that could be used to shape fate.
According to myth, Odin saw the Norns, the Norse Fates, writing destiny into the bark of Yggdrasil, the world tree, with the runes. Covetous of their knowledge, he hung himself from Yggdrasil while pierced by his own spear for nine days and nights until their secrets were revealed. He then shared those secrets with mankind, some of whom became runemasters.
For example, in the Saga of Egil, the eponymous hero stayed with a farmer whose daughter was very ill. To help the farmer, he investigated, and he found a crudely carved rune in the girl’s bed. It seems that a local boy, trying to help the girl, had placed the rune there. But he formed the rune badly, and it is doing more harm than good. Egil, as a master of the runes, erased the dangerous rune and replaced it with a new rune that will undo the ill effects.
Aegishjalmr in the Grimoires
But the version of Aegishjalmr that we know does not belong to the time of the Viking runemasters. Instead, it appears in medieval Icelandic grimoires, dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries. These grimoires contain many compound runic magical staves, called Galdrastafir. While the connection with earlier rune magic seems clear, the grimoires also contain elements that are clearly borrowed from Christian magical practices, indicating that they are not identical. Moreover, no representation of Aegishjalmr, or any of the other Galdrastafir that appear in the grimoires, survives from the Viking age.
The most common version of the Helm of Awe magical stave has eight intersecting arms, each ending with the Algiz (Z) rune, which was a rune associated with ideas of protection.
The earliest representation of Aegishjalmr is in the Gladrabok grimoire, which was reportedly composed between 1550 and 1650. It says:
One should clip or cut these helms of awe onto one’s livestock if they get swooning or pestilence, and the first one should be put on the left shoulder and the other one on the right. Likewise, while fasting, make the latter (helm of awe) with your spittle in your palm when you greet the girl whom you want to have. It should be the right hand.
This is a very simplified version of the stave, with just four arms, and it makes no mention of warriors. Nevertheless, it is referred to as Aegishjalmr, and the arms of the stave end with the familiar
The idea of Aegishjalmr offering protection first appears in the Galdrakver grimoire, dating from around 1670. It says:
Terror Helm. It shall be made in lead, and when a man expects his enemies he shall imprint it on his forehead. And thou wilt conquer him. It is as follows.
This is the most common and referenced version of the runic stave.
Finally, it appears again in manuscript LBS 2413 8vo, which dates to around 1800.
Here we are provided with relatively cryptic information:
These are the nine Helms of Awe that no one can be without who will handle knowledge, and each one should be used 99 times.
This suggests that Aegishjalmr was a common name for several different runic staves.
The reason for the popularity of the Galdrakver version of Aegishjalmr is that it was taken up in a collection of Icelandic folktales recorded by Jón Árnason in the 19th century. He says:
Make a helm of awe in lead,
press the lead sign between the eyebrows,
and speak the formula:
Ægishjálm er ég ber milli brúna mér!
I bear the helm of awe between my brows!
Thus a man could meet his enemies
and be sure of victory.
Fafnir and the Helm of Awe
In the case of Vegvisir, the Norse Compass, another popular Galdrastafir, there is no evidence that this medieval concept existed in the Viking Age. But references to something called Aegishjalmr do survive from the Viking age, specifically in the story of Fafnir.
Fafnir was a dwarf and the son of King Hreidmar. The king had an incredible collection of treasure (which included a cursed ring that inspired the One Ring in The Lord of the Rings), and charged his son Fafnir with protecting it. The story suggests that the treasure also contained an item called “Aegishjalmr,” which Fafnir used to increase his strength to protect the treasure.
The accounts suggest that it was a physical object, perhaps an actual helmet that Fafnir wore. It is also described as something that “all living creatures fear.” The description suggests that the helm made him fiercer than any man and braver than any foe, and that, as a result, all men hated the person who possessed Aegishjalmr.
Fafnir, coveting his father’s treasure, especially his cursed ring, later killed his father to claim the treasure for himself. He then shapeshifted into a dragon to drive everyone away and protect his gold. He is eventually killed by the hero Sigurd.
The connection between this seemingly physical helmet and the later magical symbol is unclear, but it seems likely that the helm inspired the symbol, since it is something that should be imprinted on the forehead. Therefore, while it seems likely that the Galdrastafir that appears in the Icelandic manuscripts did not exist in the Viking age, the idea that magic could be used to enhance a warrior’s strength and courage did.
Wearing Aegishjalmr
The Helm of Awe is a popular symbol among followers of Asatru, and fans of Old Norse culture more generally. It is usually interpreted as invoking the protection of the Norse gods and enhancing the user’s boldness and bravery. It gives the strength and courage to face the challenges before you. While it cannot guarantee victory, it can guarantee bravery, which is what is required for brave warriors to reach Valhalla.
We consider Aegishjalmr one of the most inspiring symbols from the Norse world and it has inspired many of the pieces in our collection. Here are some of our favorites.
This simple sterling silver Aegishjalmr necklace amulet is the perfect way to carry this potent symbol with you every day.
The circle of runes around the outside connects the magical stave with the Futhark runes used by the Vikings and venerated for their magical properties.
This signet ring is a great way to adopt Aegishjalmr as your personal symbol.
The band is decorated with twirling branches in authentic Norse Urnes style. It is also a nod to Yggdrasil, the source of the Viking runes.
The Vikings wore arm rings as symbols of loyalty and belonging. Chiefs gave arm rings to their warriors as symbols of mutual trust and respect.
Both arm rings (available in silver and bronze) and the Helm of Awe are perfect choices for a modern Viking.
We love the way this ring combines the Helm of Awe with a Norse dragon in a reference to Fafnir and his possession of the Helm of Awe.
The simplicity of this hand-carved ring is compelling. It feels like exactly how a Viking would have created a Helm of Awe before going into battle to boost their strength and bravery.
