The VALKNOT

Also Known As the

GIERRÖD / GEIRRÖD

ALSO CALLED BY IT'S ACADEMIC NAME OF THE

TERTRIGON

UnCOMMON KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THIS SYMBOL:

Meaning, Usage, Origin & Etymology

TECHNICAL NAME USED IN ACADEMIC STUDIES: The Valknot/Gierröd symbol is called the Ternary Trigonal Knot and/or Ternary Triangular Knot which is abbreviated as a compound word "Tertrigon" or “Tertrigonal Knot” and is the common vernacular for academics that study & conduct research pertaining to this ancient symbol.
BASIC and MODERN MEANING: Devotion to Heathen Religion/Gods, specifically Odin/Wotan/Allfather.
IT'S CRYPTIC and RITUAL MEANING: Nine (9), from the lore associated with it in the Edda; for the Nine (9) days/nights Odin hung on a tree, wounded by his own Spear. Ritual performed to be bound and belong to Odin/Wotan. Symbolic of being marked for/bound to Odin and Valhall in death and the afterlife.
HISTORICAL ORIGIN: Nine ritual spear-cuts/wounds—made with a spear-tip—by ancient Heathen Warriors on their own bodies; represented as icons/symbols found on archaeological grave goods and burial artifacts. Ancient Roman historical documents (Vindolanda 85-122CE) have instances and references to the "Barbarian Nine (9)" symbol found on laeti and foederati Germanic soldiers, also comments by or attributed to Roman Military Commanders about the superior combat skills and ferocity of these Heathen soldiers who bore the Gierrod (Valknut); these Commanders also advised other Commanders to give preference in recruiting these Germanic soldiers (that had the 'Allemanni Novem' marks on their body) and retaining them in Roman military units.

“To Odin then true-fast

Carves he fair runics,—

Death-runes cut deep on his arm and his breast.”

—Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson).

"He had himself marked with a spear and assigned to himself the weapon-dead men, and said he would go to Goðheimar and be reunited with his friends there."

--Ynglinga saga 8, Heimskringla I

MYSTICAL and ESOTERIC MEANING: Protection granted by Odin from Enemies; Blessing from Odin for Victory in Battle. The symbol traditionally appears colored blood red.
VALKNUT ETYMOLOGY: A kenning meaning belonging to, or bound to, or marked by Odin/Wotan; A Compound of two words, each meaning "Choice\Elect" and "Binding\knot"; "CHOSEN\ELECT": Old Norse val, Proto-Germanic *walō. "FASTENING\KNOT": Proto-Germanic *knuttan-, Old Frisian knotta, Dutch knot, Old High German knoto, German Knoten, Old Norse knutr, from Proto Indo-European *nōdo-.
Despite many assertions, the symbol has no relation to "Hrungnir's Heart" as written in the story of Skáldskaparmál. The only thing that the Tertrigon and "Hrungnirs Heart" have in common is a triangular shape.
Geirröd/GIERRÖD : [Teutonic word]—a spear, [Edda 41, FmS. i. 177, Hm. 15, 37, Hkv. 1. 15,Hbl. 40]; Odin is represented wielding a geir, called Gungnir, as are also the Valkyrjur; Marka sik geirs-oddi: "to mark oneself in the breast with a spear’spoint," so as to make blood flow, was a Heathen rite whereby warriors on their death-bed devoted themselves to Odin; it was the common belief that a man who died a natural death of old-age was not admitted into Valhall upon dying; this rite is only mentioned in mythical Sagas such as Yngling Saga ch. 10; also Gautreks Saga ch. 7.—þá stakk Starkaðr sprotanum á konungi ok mælti, nú gef ekþik Óðni: the origin of this rite is in Havamal, where Odin himself is represented as hanging on the tree Yggdrasil "Wounded with a spear and given to Odin, myself to myself."
GIERRÖD ETYMOLOGY: A kenning for devotional self-inflicted spear cuts or wounds to Odin/Wotan; A Compound of two words, each meaning "Spear" and "Red"; "SPEAR": Proto-Germanic *gaizaz, Old High German gêr, Old English gâr, Old Norse gierr, from a Proto-Indo-European root *sper- 'spear, pole'... "RED" or "RÖD": Proto-Germanic *raudaz, Old English rēad, Dutch rood, and German rot, from an Indo-European root shared by Sanskrit rudhira ‘red’.
OTHER USAGE AND MEANINGS: Symbol of Odin's magic, spells, and charms. A curse to bind your enemies. Symbol for the Slain in Battle. Symbol for a sacrifice to Odin. Having deep and ancient religious ties to the Tripartition of the Cosmic Order of the Gods & Goddesses.
Other Vernacular Designations: Valknutr; Geirröd; Wotans-Knot; Odins-Knot; Odins-Charm; Allfather's-Bond; Heathen-Nine; Knot-of-the-Fallen; Knot-of-the-Dead; Tertri-Knot; Tri-Thirds; Þrí-deila; Tertrangle. Which is connected to the related symbol called the Trilete / Triquitrite / Triquetra...

This Symbol appears inscribed upon hundreds of Ancient Standing Stones Throughout Europe & beyond, most often in association with a figure of Wotan/Odin, as well as figures of Ravens, Eagles, and Horses. The complex form & usage of the Tertrigon demonstrates a more complex esoteric meaning, bound to the Cosmic Tripartion that orders the Heathen concept of the three primal stations in life (e.g., Rígsþula: The Lay of Rig)... The Valknot has been found carved into a diversity of ancient items and materials, such as human & animal bone & horn, wood, gold, silver, bronze, Iron, and stone; found on combs, bed-frames, belts, Dragon-Masts of ships, bowls, standing-stones, pots, mirrors, door-frames, pillars, and chests. Sometimes the symbol was accompanied by Protective/Healing Charms that were written/carved in Runes. There is no question that this Symbol had a long-standing religious significance for hundreds-of-years among the Heathen peoples, as well as being known as an enchanted or "magical" protective symbol with restorative healing powers that brought the user well-being and good-luck...

Valknot Scholarship & Research:

The "Nordiche Dreieck Symbol" was originally coined by the pioneer German researcher Tom Heller for his European study of these Valknot symbols. Tom Heller recorded & categorized the Nordic Triangle into five (5) primary, distinct forms, with one (1) having four (4) specific variants/sub-types.

Since Heller's initial research was published (which was groundbreaking and foundational), subsequent researchers have identified, recorded, and detailed seven (7) distinct iterations of the "Nordiche Dreieck symbol," with one having four (4) types with specific design variations. Researchers have also given the "Valknot," or "Geirrod," or "Odin's-Knot," and sometimes "Hrungnirs-Heart" symbol, a specific scientific name that more accurately describes its design: the Tertial (or Tertiary) Triangular (or Triangulum/Trigonal) Knot, which describes the Three Triangles that are interwoven together in the same style/fashion as ancient native knotwork. the compound/abbreviated version of this description is the Ter-Trigon (meaning a polygon comprised of three dinstinct triangles). Those that research this symbols history and meaning refer to it simply as the Tertrigonal Knot.

Typography of the Valknot/Tertrigon:

Of the 380+ documented Valknots/Tertrigons that are dated prior to 1400-CE, each one of these symbols has either an overall triangular or three-part shape, and all are composed of three (3) distinct interlocking/interwoven triangles (with the exception of Type Three).

Of these recorded symbols, there are seven (7) primary types; each have one (1) characteristic in each of the three (3) groups of the following six (6) characteristics:

1.) Unicursal or Tricursal

2.) Open Center or Center Closed

3.) Interstitial Line Gaps (space between line edges)

or Coterminous Lines (continuously adjacent line edges)

The recorded exception is Tertrigon Type 3, which has a perceptibly different appearance, with Four (4) distinct sub-set types with unique variations...