Viking Cumpas Pendant

The Vegvisir symbol is also called the Viking Compass or Norse Compass because when worn or carried, it is said to prevent a person from losing their way.  It is sometimes drawn within a ring of runes.  Despite its name, the symbol was used much broader than by Vikings alone.  The same is true today.

The symbol is notably recorded in the Icelandic reference called the Huld Manuscript.  Written by Geir Vigfusson in 1860, the manuscript claims:

“Beri maður stafi þessa á sér villist maður ekki í hríðum né vondu veðri þó ókunnugur sá.” - Icelandic

“Carry this sign with you and you won't get lost in storms or bad weather, even in unfamiliar surroundings” - Translation by Justin Foster

Like most things reportedly Viking, there is no written history of this symbol before the Viking era ended.  1860 is currently the first year the Vegvisir was documented.  The Viking era ran loosely from 790 to 1070 depending on the reference material and point of view.  That is a long cry from 1860.

This pendant was hand made by a Sexy Viking.  A 25 mm / 1" hard glass cabochon in a bronze tone setting with real parchment paper between the two.  I prefer real glass for its resistance to scratch resistance.