Norse Compass Vegvisir Meaning

The Norse compass Vegvisir is a symbol which translates to “wayfinder” in Icelandic.

The Huld Manuscript states that “if this sign is carried, one will never lose one's way in storms or bad weather, even when the way is not known”, in fact, that is the only known reference to the Vegvisir compass.

The pronunciation of Vegvisir is “Vegg vee seer”.
That’s Vegg with a hard “g”, like “egg” not “edge”, then vee like “bee” and finally seer like “beer”.

The symbol is often associated with Vikings, however the symbol emerged several hundred years after the Viking age ended, so it’s difficult to say with much certainly that it was indeed used by the ancient Norse people.

Wherever the Vegvisir compass appears, you’ll often find it surrounded by Norse runes and occasionally accompanied by other Viking symbols from Norse mythology, such as the Valknut and Triquetra.

The Vegvisir compass despite not being something definitively and provably tied to Norse culture, it is instantly recognizable to most people as a Viking symbol, and for many people that’s what’s important.
Many people like to wear the Viking compass Vegvisir as jewelry in rings and pendants to show off their interest in Norse mythology and Viking symbols.

As that the Vegvisir is a wayfinder and a compass, it can make a thoughtful gift to a loved one, perhaps to indicate that they will always find their way back to each other, or you’ll never lose them.

Check our collection of Vegvisir jewelry