Othala: Difference between revisions
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==Troll cross== |
==Troll cross== |
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The Odal rune is suspected to be related to the ''Troll cross'' (''Trollkors''), an |
The Odal rune is suspected to be related to the ''Troll cross'' (''Trollkors''), but this is an unsourced theory. A Troll cross is symbol that has similar shape to both the [[Greek]] letter [[Omega]] and the Odal rune. It was made of iron, and was used as a pendant on necklaces for women and children or just carved onto valuable objects. According to rural [[Sweden|Swedish]] folk legend, it was believed to protect what was precious against [[troll]]s and other malevolent forces. |
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==Modern usage== |
==Modern usage== |
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Revision as of 00:41, 1 May 2008
The Elder Futhark Odal rune (ᛟ) represents the o sound. Its reconstructed Proto-Germanic name is *ôþalan. The corresponding Gothic letter is 𐍉 o, called oþal. Variations of the name include Othila and Othala. The letter is derived from an Old Italic (more specifically, Raetic) o letter variant, ultimately cognate to Greek Ω.
The glyph is illustrated here both with and without the optional small serif-like lines at the bottom. The rune is encoded in Unicode at codepoint U+16DF: ᛟ
The term oþal (Old High German uodal) is a formative element in some Germanic names, notably Ulrich and variants. Edmund and other English names with the "ed" prefix (from Old English ead), German Otto and various Germanic names beginning with "od" are also connected to Odal.
Futhorc Ethel
The Odal rune is often associated with property and inheritance, wealth and prosperity. In the Anglo-Saxon rune poem, the name appears as ethel (ēðel). In English runology this letter is sometimes transliterated œ.
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Scandinavian property law
Odal was a concept of inheritance in ancient Scandinavian property law.[citation needed] Some of these laws are still in effect today, and govern Norwegian property. These are the Åsetesrett (homestead right), and the Odelsrett (allodial right). See also Uppsala öd.
Troll cross
The Odal rune is suspected to be related to the Troll cross (Trollkors), but this is an unsourced theory. A Troll cross is symbol that has similar shape to both the Greek letter Omega and the Odal rune. It was made of iron, and was used as a pendant on necklaces for women and children or just carved onto valuable objects. According to rural Swedish folk legend, it was believed to protect what was precious against trolls and other malevolent forces.
Modern usage
Military Usage
The German Bundeswehr, including the German Army and German Navy, uses a geometrical design reminiscent of the Odal rune as part of its rank insignia. Although the German army has used the symbol in the past, there is no evidence that the modern likeness is intentional.
The Odal rune was the emblem of ethnic Germans (Volksdeutsche) of the 7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division Prinz Eugen operating during World War II in the National Socialist Germany-sponsored Independent State of Croatia.
Odal was also the name of a monthly Nazi periodical concerning Blood and Soil.[1]
Neopaganism
As with other runes, the Odal rune is also used as a symbol by Germanic Neopagans without a political association.
Neofascism
The Italian neofascist organization Avanguardia Nazionale, lead by Stefano Delle Chiaie, used the Odal rune as a logo.
The German organization Wiking Jugend used the Odal rune as a logo.
Young BNP
The Young BNP in the United Kingdom also use this symbol.
References
- ^ www.archive.org has an offprint of this periodical available: Blut und Boden
See also
External links
- Futhark.com - Futhark.com's entry on the Odal rune.