Learnings: The Snake, or Ornir

The Skåäng Runestone / 6th cent.

Snakes were well-represented in Scandinavian magical, mythical, and spiritual beliefs. They were often associated with depths. Under the ground was Níðhǫggr, a snake that strove to devour the roots of Yggdrasil, the Cosmic Tree. Under the sea was Jörmungandr, the Midgard Snake which, biting his own tail, encircled the ocean until the day it would release the waters, beginning Ragnarök.

It was not uncommon for those monstrous snakes to pass into legend as "dragons."

Snakes were among the most popular creatures depicted in Scandinavian art, as seen on this runestone.