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ᛏᚨᛏᛏᛟᛟ · Helm of Awe
In the Eddic poem Fáfnismál and in Völsunga saga, the dragon Fáfnir boasts of wearing an ægishjálmr, a "helm of awe" or "helm of terror" that made every living thing afraid of him. In the old stories it is something worn, not a drawn sign.
The drawn symbol, with arms radiating from a centre, comes from later Icelandic books of magical staves, where several versions appear under the name ægishjálmur. They were drawn for protection and to overcome enemies. Like the Vegvisir, it is a genuine piece of Icelandic folk magic rather than something found on Viking Age objects.
Protection, courage and an unshakeable presence: meeting the world without fear.
Good to know
The arms carry small forked details that need space. Avoid very small sizes so they don't merge as the tattoo ages.
Rune Library
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The Mjölnir Collection: two original Runestone Norway tattoo designs, the Vegvisir and Yggdrasil woven into Thor's hammer. Vector stencils ready for your tattoo artist, with the real history of each symbol. Instant download.
Helm of Awe stencils are coming soon. In the meantime, explore The Mjölnir Collection.
$7.00
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Protection and fearlessness. In the old stories it made the wearer terrifying to enemies.
The name appears in the Eddas, but the drawn symbol comes from later Icelandic magic books of the 17th–19th centuries.