Nordic pagan symbols are rich with meaning and serve as powerful reminders of the ancient beliefs and culture of the Nordic peoples. These symbols were used to represent various aspects of life, nature, and the spiritual world. Understanding the meaning behind these symbols can provide insight into the values and beliefs of the Nordic pagan culture. One of the most well-known Nordic pagan symbols is the Valknut, also known as Odin's Knot. This symbol consists of three interlocking triangles and is often associated with the Norse god Odin. The Valknut is believed to represent Odin's power over the dead and is often seen carved on gravestones or depicted in artwork related to death and the afterlife.
“Earvin, do you know there is a 6’8 or 6’9 kid somewhere in a gym in this country and he’s got all your skills - is he going to out work you?” Fox said. “A year later, I’m talking to him somewhere and he said, ‘hey coach, do you remember that story you told me about somebody outworking me? I found him.’”
Each story worth telling has an absorbing main character taking on a captivating adversary - and there are few sporting rivalries where two great talents are as intertwined as Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. The two men quickly established themselves as the budding stars of the league, with Bird beating his rival to the Rookie of the Year award while Johnson won Finals MVP to cap off his debut campaign with the NBA title.
The Valknut is believed to represent Odin's power over the dead and is often seen carved on gravestones or depicted in artwork related to death and the afterlife. Another important Nordic pagan symbol is the Mjölnir, the hammer of the god Thor. The Mjölnir is said to represent strength, protection, and fertility.
Magic Johnson's rivalry with Larry Bird sparked greatest NBA Finals battle ever
Each story worth telling has an absorbing main character taking on a captivating adversary - and there are few sporting rivalries where two great talents are as intertwined as Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
They first crossed paths after Johnson had completed his debut season in college, where his Michigan State team lost to eventual national champion Kentucky in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Championship. George Fox, Johnson’s high school coach, recalled the story of how Magic realised that he and Bird were cut from the same cloth.
“Earvin, do you know there is a 6’8 or 6’9 kid somewhere in a gym in this country and he’s got all your skills - is he going to out work you?” Fox said. “A year later, I’m talking to him somewhere and he said, ‘hey coach, do you remember that story you told me about somebody outworking me? I found him.’”
Johnson and Bird were invited as part of an elite group of players selected to represent the United States. Johnson saw Bird hitting shot after shot in training and while the two had never played together before, their on-court chemistry came easily due to their immense talent.
“We got into the game and we started throwing no-look passes, and he started hitting long jump shots,” Johnson said. “One time I came down and threw a no-look to Larry, he got it, threw a no-look back to me, and I laid it up - and the people went nuts!
“After that, I went back and told everybody: Larry Bird, he’s for real.”
The respect was mutual, as Bird added: “I knew I was going to see him a lot.”
Magic Johnson's Los Angeles Lakers lost to Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics to earn the point guard the label 'Tragic Magic' (
Image: Carl Skalak /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)During the 1978-79 season, Michigan State once again qualified for the NCAA Tournament where they advanced to the final to take on Bird’s Indiana State for the championship. Bird had inspired the Sycamores to a 33-0 record and he, like Johnson, was becoming a household name within the American sporting landscape.
The 1979 NCAA Championship Game began to cause a divide across the States; not only was it powered by racial connotations, but it was the city and urban Magic taking on the country Bird - and they were clearly the two best players in college basketball. Bird said: “You couldn’t turn on the TV without people talking about Magic-Bird - it was everywhere.”
The game remains the most-watched college basketball game ever, with 35.1 million viewers tuning into NBC to watch the Spartans emerge 75-64 winners while Magic was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
Ultimately, the title match foreshadowed the rivalry between the two Hall of Famers that defined the NBA for a decade. Not only would they vie for individual honours, but they would contest the NBA Finals on three occasions as the rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics captivated the nation in the 1980s
The two men quickly established themselves as the budding stars of the league, with Bird beating his rival to the Rookie of the Year award while Johnson won Finals MVP to cap off his debut campaign with the NBA title. They finally met on the biggest stage in the 1984 NBA Finals, pitting two storied franchises with an iconic history against one another once again.
The Lakers and Celtics contested the Finals on seven occasions between 1959 and 1969, with Boston emerging on top each time. The contest was massively anticipated and once again it was because of what the two players - willingly or not - represented. In They Call Me Magic, actor Samuel L. Jackson said: “The attitude of the country was the Lakers were black America’s team, and the Celtics were white America’s team.”
The Lakers took Game 1 in Boston before a Magic error meant the Lakers didn’t get a shot off to send the game to overtime, where the Celtics claimed the win. Game 3 was won by Los Angeles at a canter, with Johnson’s 21 assists inspiring the Lakers to a dominant 137-104 win.
The Celtics chose to use physicality to disrupt the Showtime Lakers in Game 4, and Magic missed two crucial free throws with the game tied. Boston won and went on to claim the series in seven games, with Johnson being labelled ‘tragic’ - much to the glee of Bird.
“The trophies and the rings and all that didn’t matter; it was all about beating the Lakers and beating Earvin,” Bird said. “That’s all that mattered.”
Larry Bird and Magic Johnson battled for the final time in the NBA Finals in 1987 ( Image: Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) Do you think Magic Johnson and Larry Bird's rivalry is the greatest in NBA history? Let us know in the comments section.
Johnson and the Lakers earned their shot at revenge just 12 months later. Magic provided a remarkable 14 assists per game to lead Los Angeles to their first championship win over the Celtics in six games, with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar securing the Finals MVP award.
With the pair level with one title win over the other apiece, Johnson and Bird met again for the final time in the NBA Finals in 1987. Bird was the reigning champion after reclaiming the Larry O’Brien trophy the year before, defeating the Houston Rockets 4-2 with the former Indiana State claiming MVP honours in the series.
The 1987 NBA Finals were the most watched Finals in history at that point, with both American and international fans tuning in to watch the final chapter of one of sport’s greatest rivalries. Both Bird and Johnson knew the weight of the occasion; it was not just about bragging rights for their respective cities, but about defining their respective legacies once and for all.
“One of us was going to take the championship lead over each other!” Magic said. “That was between Larry and I, and I had to make sure that was going to be my team that was up 2-1 because I had to have the edge.
“We were a fine-tuned machine, and that was our best team - if not the greatest team ever in NBA history.”
Johnson secured another Finals MVP in what was Abdul-Jabbar’s final series. Magic put up 26.2 points, 13.0 assists and 8.0 rebounds per game as Los Angeles claimed the championship in six games, with Johnson even scoring an iconic shot that became known as the ‘baby sky hook’ to win Game 4.
The 1987 Finals was the culmination of Magic and Bird's decade-long rivalry that dominated the NBA. Between the two players, they won eight NBA titles, five Finals MVP awards, six league MVP awards, and a whopping 24 All-Star appearances.
The rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird transformed the NBA, and spanned from when they were in college all the way to legends of the sport - and it has gone down as one of the greatest feuds in sporting history.
They Call Me Magic is streaming on Apple TV+
An exploration of the fierce rivalry between NBA superstars Larry Bird and Magic Johnson during their decade of dominance.
It was often worn as a pendant or used as an amulet to invoke Thor's protection and blessings. The Vegvisir is a compass-like symbol that was believed to guide travelers through rough weather and difficult journeys. It is often depicted as a series of interconnected or overlapping runes and was thought to provide spiritual guidance and protection. One symbol that represents the interconnectedness of life and the natural world is the Tree of Life, known in Nordic culture as Yggdrasil. Yggdrasil is believed to be a massive ash tree that connects the nine realms of Norse cosmology. It symbolizes the cycle of life, death, and rebirth and represents the interconnectedness of all living beings in the universe. The Helm of Awe, or Ægishjálmur, is a powerful symbol used for protection against enemies and misfortune. It is often drawn or carved onto objects or worn as an amulet to invoke its protective powers. These symbols, along with many others, played a significant role in the spiritual and cultural practices of the Nordic pagans. They were used as representations of gods, spiritual concepts, and values. Today, they continue to hold meaning for many individuals interested in Norse mythology and pagan practices..
Reviews for "The Sacred Language of Nordic Pagan Symbols"
1. Jane - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with the book's focus on Nordic pagan symbols and explanations. I found it to be too esoteric and inaccessible for someone like me who doesn't have a background in pagan practices. The explanations were convoluted and didn't help me understand the symbols any better. I was hoping for a more general overview of Nordic culture, but this book missed the mark for me.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - I couldn't stand this book's obsession with Nordic pagan symbols and explanations. It felt like the author was trying too hard to be mystical and deep, but it just came across as pretentious and uninteresting. The explanations were convoluted and vague, leaving me feeling even more confused than before. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who's looking for an accessible introduction to Nordic culture.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I really wanted to enjoy this book, but its focus on Nordic pagan symbols and explanations was a major turn-off for me. I found it hard to connect with the material and the explanations were not in a language that I could understand. I was hoping for more about the rich history and traditions of the Nordic region, but this book seemed to prioritize obscure symbols and rituals over broader cultural context. Disappointing overall.
4. Michael - 1/5 stars - Nordic pagan symbols and explanations? Seriously? I had no idea what the author was talking about most of the time. This book was way too niche and specific for my taste. I was looking for a general overview of Nordic culture and history, but this book felt like it was written for hardcore enthusiasts. I would have appreciated more accessible explanations and a broader focus. Definitely not recommended for casual readers.
5. Emily - 2/5 stars - As someone with no previous knowledge or interest in Nordic pagan symbols, I found this book to be incredibly confusing and unengaging. The author delved too deeply into esoteric explanations without providing enough context or background information. I was hoping to learn more about Nordic culture, but this book focused too narrowly on a specific aspect that didn't resonate with me. Overall, not a satisfying read.