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.
No, Harvey Mudd is part of the Claremont Colleges , which includes five undergraduate liberal arts colleges:
Located on contiguous campuses in the Southern California city of Claremont, each institution has its own student body, faculty, governance, curricular emphasis, culture, and mission. For those who decide to continue their studies, a staggering 30 of graduates go on to PhD programs, the highest rate of any school in the country, according to IvyWise.
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.
Gotta Love Mudd, Warts And All
Hi everyone, this is Hannah Larson with another blog post for you!
Hannah Larson, HMC ’20
We love warts here at Mudd. No, not those warts you find on the bottoms of your feet after walking barefoot outside (although there are definitely people at Mudd who walk around outside without wearing shoes). No, we love those concrete square prisms that are placed systematically throughout all of our buildings.
Left: Sprague has long lines of windows bordered by warts running up the building. Right: The overhang outside of Kingston is held up by supports which are decorated with warts
Left: An Outer Dorm (Linde Dorm) has warts on the edge of the roof. Right: The overhang, support pillars, and roof edge of the Platt Campus Center are all covered in warts.
In fact, we love these warts so much that they became our unofficial mascot. In addition to our official mascots, the CMS (Claremont-Mudd-Scripps) Athenas and Stags, Harvey Mudd has Wally the Wart, our friendly anthropomorphic square prism mascot who can be seen in various line drawings, waving Harvey Mudd flags or unicycling around. One prospective student for the class of 2021 even crafted a clay version of Wally for the admissions office!
Polymer clay Wally the Wart, crafted by prospective Mudd student
These warts are inspiration for lots of our interesting architectural spots on campus. The story goes that when the Shanahan Center was designed, the architects took color samples of the warts around campus and used those to create the multi-colored tiles that cover the building.
One wall in the Shanahan Center for Teaching and Learning shows the multi-colored tiles representative of Mudd Warts
The Shanahan also has a pathway on the northern side that is lined with old warts from Thomas Garrett, the building that used to be where the Shan is now. This pathway is a cool way to preserve the school’s history and reuse building materials, but many people walking by aren’t aware of the warty implications.
Left: The pathway behind the Shanahan, leading towards the Founding Class Room and Admissions Office. Right: A close-up of some of the old warts, which also have plaques on them dedicated to different donors.
Our newest dorm on campus, Drinkward Dorm, also has a neat wart-themed architectural design! There are warts arranged on the sides of the building which, rumor has it, spell out a phrase in braille. Looking at one panel of Drinkward and using a newly downloaded Braille app, I determined that the warts and indented squares on the building spell out “MUDD WART”, an homage to our love for warts on campus. If you go in blocks of 2×3 rectangles, starting by looking at the raised warts and then inverted warts, you can see that the raised warts spell MUDD and inverted warts spell WART in braille.
Left: One side of Drinkward Dorm is covered in bumps and indents reminiscent of Harvey Mudd’s Warts. Right: A zoomed in photo of one panel of warts. Looking at first the indented squares and then protruding warts in braille will read “MUDD WART.”
The braille text underneath the English translation of “MUDD WART.”
Although I am personally a big fan of all of the warts and wart references we have on campus, there are definitely some people who don’t pay as much attention to it. If you’re one of those people, don’t worry about it; after all, we wouldn’t you to be a worry wart! 😉
Harvey Mudd College was ranked among the top undergraduate engineering programs in the country and is particularly known for its small class sizes, personalized attention from faculty, and hands-on approach to learning.
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 Strength and Protection: Exploring 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.