valknut

The valknut (Old Norse valr, slain warriors + knut, knot) is a symbol consisting of three interlocked triangles. It is also called:

heart of the slain
heart of Vala
Hrungnir's heart
Odin's knot

It appears on Scandinavian image stones in connection with Odin, e.g. on the 7th century Tngelgarda stone from Gotland. According to one interpretation, that of H. R. Ellis Davidson in Gods and Myths of Northern Europe (ISBN 0140206701) (p. 146), the valknut —

is thought to symbolize the power of the god Odin to bind or unbind man's mind ... so that men became helpless in battle, and he could also loosen the tensions of fear and strain by his gifts of battle-madness, intoxication, and inspiration.

The symbol of the valknut plays a role in neopagan faiths drawn from Norse mythology. In these, it represents the interlinking of the nine worlds, and the spirit and power of Allfather that binds and pervades them all, and it is worn by those who chose to give themselves to Odin. One satr website http://hometown.aol.com/_ht_a/xcalabr08/himinbjorg.html says:

The nine lines symbolize the nine worlds of the Norse tradition. The three triangles are said to represent the three realms of existence, and the ability to travel among them. The symbol is also associated with Fate, each triangle represents the Past, Present & Future, and their influence to each other.

Valknut

See also