Wolf Ring From Goa Proves Viking Wolf Ring Is Historical
Autumn of 2015 witnessed an exciting excavation, though small, in Goa in Randaberg, Western Norway. It was a unique ring with spiral patterns and two wolf heads. The ring later was believed to date back to the Viking Age. But whether the wolf heads showed Fenrir Wolf of Destruction, Freki and Geri Odin's wolves or Hati and Skoll probably remains a mystery forever.
Bjørn Tjelta who was a member of Rygene Metal Detector Club came across this wolf ring buried only 4inches (10cm) down in the ground. The study of the ring claimed that the ring dated back to 900 and 1000 AD. The ring measured 0.9inch (23mm) in diameter. The ring had similarities with the finger rings in the Middle Age and the arm rings in Viking Age.
The wolf heads were what worth discussing much because there was no official claim upon what the ring creator was trying to convey.
Odin's Wolves Freki and Geri
In Norse mythology, Odin the chief god of Asgard had a pair of wolves as his constant companions. Their names were Freki and Geri. They always sat right under Odin's High Throne in many depictions. Even in Ragnarok, the pair accompanied Odin into his final battle.
While Odin's ravens Huginn and Muninn acted as Odin's messengers, there was no vivid account of the mission that Odin gave to Freki and Geri. But according to the myth, Odin gave all of his food to his wolves and he only consumed wine.
In 2009, archaeologists found a figurine made of silver in Denmark. The small statue showed Odin sitting on his High Throne Hlidskjalf and his constant companions surround him. The ravens Huginn and Muninn were perching on the arms of the High Throne while Freki and Geri standing behind Odin.
Odin's silver statue with wolves and ravens
Fenrir the Wolf of Destruction
Norse mythology had it that Fenrir was the son of Loki the Trickster. Fenrir had siblings Jormungand the Midgard Serpent and Hel the Queen of Death. These figures together with the giant army ignited Ragnarok which resulted in Gods' Destruction.
The ancient prophecy told that Fenrir was set to swallow Odin in Ragnarok. Because of this prophecy, many attempts were made to prevent Fenrir from causing such tragic. But no one could ever escape the fate. Fenrir finally put an end to Odin's glory. However, the revenge for the Viking Supreme God was taken by Vidar Odin's Son.
The chained Fenrir
Overall, Fenrir was one of the most complicated figures in Norse mythology. Many years ago, Fenrir was a true villain to the viewpoint of many. As time went on, Fenrir has become the symbol of both destruction and creation, the end of the beginning, and the incredible wild power.
Hati and Skoll
Hati and Skoll were not famous figures in Norse mythology. But their importance shouldn't be neglected. They were the offsprings of Fenrir. This pair of wolves spent their lives chasing down the Sun and the Moon in the Norse sky. Many times they tried, many times they fell. But they never seemed to give up. Until the dawn of Ragnarok, they managed to catch the Sun and the Moon. As Hati and Skoll swallowed the Sun and the Moon, the world fell into the complete darkness.
Hati and Skoll chasing the Sun and the Moon
Like Fenrir, Hati and Skoll were complicated figures. They presented both the negativity and the positivity, the destruction of something and the creation of something instead, the successive failure and the final success.
Final words
To answer the question which wolf the ring from Goa tried to depict requires both effort and luck in the future. By far, there has been no official agreement though. The ring helped us to know how much Norse mythology had an effect on the Vikings and how important of the wolves to the Vikings.
Wolf suffers the most controversies in many sagas and mythologies. For the aggressive and the dangerous appearance, wolves are of fear and negativity. But in Norse mythology, they aren't. In the modern sense, wolves not only symbolise the wild power and the daring mind but also something new waiting in the future. With the bold and exciting story of wolf figures, wolf symbols have become an inspiring source for the Viking Jewelry. The Viking Jewelry or Viking ring with double wolf heads capture the whole message from the wolves figures in Norse myth whether it is trying to depict Fenrir, Freki, Geri, Hati or Skoll. (See more: Double Wolf Head Odin's Offsprings)
