The Virtues of Stridulfur is one of the most essential aspects of what makes Stridulfur. It is an integral part of who we are and is quite literally what we stand by, what we live by, and an archetype of our values and virtues. These our virtues that we believe in, that we strive to live by. Our moral compass and noble virtues that we here at Stridulfur follow and believe in. The virtues that almost all those who wear our symbols, designs or logo, on some level, agree with and adhere to.
However, all virtues of Stridulfur were virtues of/assosciated with the Old Norse People. Virtues have only been selected if they have multiple sources citing them as factual or related to the old norse, all of those sources being cited on this page. These are all factually, historically, virtues that were most likely held by Old Norse people. Now held and adhered to by Stridulfur, carried on into the modern day, and into the future.
For further context on these virtues, their historical and cultural authenticity and other information, click here.
Tirr
Honor.
The definition of honor warrants its own essays and studies.
Honor is a conscept, an idea, that many have died for, that nations have gone to war for.
It has many definitions and forms.
For Stridulfur, Honor is what makes a person. Legacies are defined by honor. People, are defined by their personal honor. Honor is everything. Honor is the virtue from which all noble virtues are derived from. Stridulfur believes in death before dishonor, despite its extremity, nothing can take away its validity. Honor is the most important virtue, the strongest virtue, of which all others revolve, thus, it is the first and primary virtue of Stridulfur.
Tyr
God of Honor
Sources:
1. Holmganga (The Holmgang) - The holmgang is a duel practiced by the Old Norse people. The holmgang was legally recognized as a way to settle disputes, and was usually a matter of honor. To the Old Norse, the matter of honor, protecting ones honor, etc., was so important that they established a system of fighting to the death over it, shows without a doubt the importance of honor in the Old Norse society. The Holmganga is attested to in the Hednalagen, Skallagrímssonar (Egils Saga) and Kormakssaga.
2. Havamal, Stanza 76 - Havamal Stanza 76 has multiple translations, as does the entire Havaml as a whole. The original Stanza in old norse reads - "Deyr fé, deyja frændr, deyr sjálfr it sama; en orðstírr deyr aldregi hveim er sér góðan getr.". 3 Translations from Olive Bray, Benjamin Thorpe and Henry Adam Bellows all read the same (with differing wording). All 3 agree on this basic translation; "Cattle Die, Kinsmen Die, We Ourselves Die, But the fame never dies of one who was earned it." Where both Bray and Thorpe use the word fame, Bellows used "A noble Name.". Essentially, the fame of one who has earned said fame, and a noble name, will never die. Both fame and noble name are earned by being honorable, and bring honor to ones name, showing the importance of lasting honor.
3. Havamal, Stanza 77 - Stanza 77 is in line with Stanza 76, almost like a sister stanza. The original old norse stanza reads, "Deyr fé, deyja frændr, deyr sjálfr it sama; ek veit einn at aldri deyr: dómr um dauðan hvern." This is translated to the same beginning as Stanza 76, "Cattle Die, Kindred Die, We Ourselves Die," and then continues, similarly, to what does not die, in Stanza 77 this is the judgement of the dead, or the dead man's deeds. Essentially saying that you will forever be judged by you deeds and how you lived, if you lived honorably or dishonorably.
þrek
Strength.
Fortitude, Power, Spirit, Effectiveness, Might, Stability
Strength in all aspects, in all ways. Mental, Physical, Emotional, Spiritual, etc. Strong mind, strong body, strong spirit. Even if one is weak, findng the strength, or building the strength, becoming strong. To always grow stronger, and to remain strong, always.
Strength is the second virtue of Stridulfur.
In all its forms, strength is one of the 9 virtues of Stridulfur. Including in relation to the other virtues. To take on these virtues and live by them takes strength. The strength to be honorable, the strength to maintain courage, the strength to remain loyal, the strength to maintain discipline, the strength to be honest, the strength to preservere, etc.
There is always a choice, between strength and weakness. With the virtue of strength, we will always choose to be strong. We strive to grow stronger every day, in whatever aspect that strength may be.
Thor
God of Strength
Sources:
1. Gunnar Hamundarson, Njals Saga. Gunnar Hamundarson was a character in Njals Saga and a Icelandic Chieftian during the 10th Century. Gunnar was considered as a hero. He was depicted as strong, written as "Capable of Jumping his own height in full body armor". Gunnar (Pictured Right) was an embodiement of Strength. He can be considered and unofficial patron hero for the second Stridulfur Virtue of Strength. Not only was he physically strong, he was always polite yet firm, he gave good advice, was kind, wise, intelligent and handsome; his friends saying he was great company. When his death was approaching, instead of fleeing Iceland, Gunnar remained and protected his home in a epic battle that ended in his death. Gunnar is one of the great heroes of the sagas, embodying the virtue of Strength.
2. Grettir The Strong, Grettirs Saga, In the very first chapter of Scudder's translation this line is stated. "Grettir was a strong man, and in his youth, he wrestled with bears." immediately establishing the virtue and trait of Strength. (This is Subject To Further Fact Checking). Though the saga of Grettir is a multi-layered tale, and Grettir is not a one dimensional hero, he was named for his Strength, an important virtue of the Old Norse. Grettir depite the varying interpretations of his saga is strongly remembered in modern day Iceland, with the Icelandic version of Garfield being named Grettir in Icelandic translations. As well as this, in the believed home town of Grettir, Bjarg, Iceland, multiple neighborhoods have names referencing grettir. In 1974, a memorial to Grettir's mother was built in Bjarg. Showing how a figure named for his strength was so well remembered into the modern day.
Vaskr
Courage.
Bravery, Fearlessness, Valor, Boldness, Heroism, Gallantry
Courage, Bravery, Valor. As with all virtues, it can take many forms. Being courageous, being brave, is a choice, it is a virtue held within oneself, and maintained throughout ones life.
Being courageous is a virtue that, like all 9 virtues, is a choice. It is a choice to be brave, and be courageous. It is a choice, to disregard fear. Even when faced with fear, even when you're scared, the virtue of Courage is going forth regardless of that fear. Maintaining your composure when all those around you may panic in fear. Courage is not the absense of fear. Fearlessness is the pinacle of courage as a virtue, though the foundation of Courage, is the choice to go even when scared.
Courage is the third of the 9 virtues of Stridulfur. Almost every other virtue relies on courage. One must be courageous to be honest, even if it means facing dire consequence, to be loyal, even if that loyalty presents challenge or potential harm, to be able to rely on yourself, even when you fear you can not go it alone; to preservere, even when faced with the fear of going onward.
Sources:
1. Tyr - Tyr is the Patron God of Stridulfur. Tyr is the god of warriors, war, courage, honor, justice, etc. Alone, the fact that Courage is such an important virtue that it is under the domain of one of the strongest gods, speaks volumes about the virtue's power to the Old Norse. Tyr was debated to be the chief god of the Aesir, as he is one of the strongest gods. (Tyr is not the chief god, Odin is. Further confirmed by Jackson Crawford). Tyr is the god of warriors, and courage. Courage being an essential aspect of any warrior.
2. Sigrdrifumal - Sigrdrifumal tells the tale of a Valkyrie, Sigrdrífa. The poem is still somewhat chaotic when interpreting, further fact checking is possible for this source's relation to courage. In the first part of the poem, Sigrdrifa tells of how she was punished for defying Odin, who cursed her to never find victory in battle, but that she should be married. To this, Sigrdrifa said to him a vow, quote - "En ek sagðak hánum, at ek strengðak heit þar í mót at giftast engum þeim manni, er hræðast kynni." in English, "And I said to him that I had made a vow in my turn, that I would never marry a man who knew the meaning of fear.". This showing that a valkyrie, when cursed to never find victory and instead find a husband, refused to wed a coward. Showing how important courage was.
3. There were specific insults for those who failed to show courage. Insults such as Ergr, Argr and Ragr. These insults by most sources were considered so severe, that if one was called these things and accused of cowardice, that retribution was demanded in some cases with the Holmganga, a duel to the death.
Hollr
Loyalty.
Faithfullness, Fidelity, Devotion, Dedication, Commitment
Loyalty can be given to many things. As a person, you can be loyal to anything. However, the virtue of loyalty is that you are loyal, no matter what. You will never betray what you are loyal to. To remain loyal, no matter what*.
*Note the Difference between loyalty and blind loyalty. Do not be blindly loyal.
Loyalty lies in our hearts. However, loyalty is not given nor demanded, it is earned. No one, nothing, can demand your loyalty. Only you can give your loyalty, and you can renounce it, as to not be blindly loyal. But when you give your loyalty, you will never betray it. If you are unloyal, you dishonor yourself. Without loyalty you have no honor. If you are disloyal the only course of honor is to redeem yourself, and regain honor.
Loyalty to self, to country, to family, to partner, to religion, ideas, values, virtues, whatever it is you may be loyal to, you must maintain that loyalty at all costs. Anything that could be considered a betrayal of that loyalty, is an act of disloyalty. The virtue of loyalty means we devote ourselves, we stay dedicated and committed to whatever it is we are loyal to, until the end.
In relation to the other virtues, one must be loyal to the virtues. One must live by them and never betray them.
Sigyn
Godess of Loyalty
Sources:
1. Arm Rings - Many old norse people wore arm rings. These arm rings represented the soul. These arm rings showed the ties of loyalty to ones soul. Oaths were put on one's arm ring. In many cases, breaking an oath put on ones arm ring would dishonor one's entire family. The importance of loyalty represented by an arm ring, an arm ring that represents the soul.
2. Voggr, The Vengance of King Hrolf - In the early 6th century, the legendary King Hrolfr Kraki of the Skjǫldungs ruled in Denmark. Hrolf's Saga Kraka, the Saga of King Rolf Kraki, tells of his tale. Whats important here is the end of his tale, the end of his life. During some time in peace after his adventures, Hrolf resided in comfort at Lejre. While there, he was given a man named Voggr to entertain him and his warriors, similar to a court jester. Voggr is the one who gave Hrolf his name, Kraki, after he remarked that the king was thin like a pole ladder (a kraki). Amused by Voggr, Hrolf gave him a golden ring (afformentioned arm rings), on which Voggr swore he would avenge Hrolfr if he was killed. Hrolfs cousin, Hjorvarðr, was envious of Hrolfs throne. He arrived at Lejre during yule for the midwinter celebrations. During the celebration, Hjorvarðr's men swiftly grapped their weapons they had hidden in wagons. After a long bloodbath of a fight, the hall was drenched in blood, as Hrolf and his Champions lay dead, all but one, Voggur. Hjorvarðr, victorious, now sitting on the throne, had Voggr brought to him. Voggr had been the laughing stock of the champions, the gester. Hjorvarðr handed Voggr a sword by its hilt, for Voggr to swear loyalty, and fight for Hjorvarðr. Voggr took the sword by the hilt, but as Hjorvarðr expected him to speak and make his oath, Voggr gripped the sword with all his might, and drove it through Hjorvarðr's heart. Voggr was immediately killed by Hjorvarðr's men. But he had fulfilled his oath.
Honesty.
Trustworthiness, Truthfullness, Integrity, Sincerity
Honesty means maintaining your own honesty. Being trustworthy, someone that all know can be trusted. You tell the truth, and refrain from lying. Some sources say it was believed by the norse that one could lie, only when they are being lied to. Regardless, to be honest, one must refrain from being untruthful, or lying.
If you are honest, you can be trusted. People can put their trust and faith in you, and know that you will not betray that trust or faith. You maintain your truth, regardless of the circumstance. Lying in our modern world is easy, and in many ways, it is the easiest choice. Lying is a common choice today, but to be honest is to choose the opposite. To tell the truth, and maintain that truth.
In relation to the other virtues, one must be honest in their adherance to the virtues. One must be truthful in how they conduct themselves by the Virtues. One can not lie to themselves that they have adhered to the virtues when they have not. One must be honest in their qualities, their actions, their choices and deeds. Thus is the virtue of honesty.
Forseti
God of Truth
Sources:
1. Condemnation of Loki - Loki is not purely or truly evil. Though nonethelss, Loki is one of the most condemned and frowned upon out of the norse dieties. As well as his followers among modern and ancient heathens, Loki is still widely condemned. Loki is known as the sly one, the dark one, and other likewise epiphets. These all being due to his mischievous and dark nature. Loki is the god of mischief, trickery and deception, the opposite of honesty. To the point that, in the Prose Edda, Loki is tied with the endtrails of his own son, in an eternal state of torture, where a serpent is placed above loki, with venom dripping down onto lokis face. Loki represents the opposite of honesty, and is widely condemned, this condemnation supported by his punishment.
2. Sagas - As a general blanket statement, the sagas and stories of the old norse have re-occuring themes of honesty and trustworthiness. However, such a blanket statement is not citing a source, but should still be noted.
3. Grettis Saga - Chapter 56 - In chapter 56 (Or LVI in the MCLLIBRARY publication of the saga). Grettir was with a man named Thorir Redbeard, another outlaw (Grettir was at the time Outlawed). Though Thorir was actively deceiving Grettir, at one point in their time together, Grettir Stated "Betray me not if I trust you.", to which Thorir said "Do not think such shameful and monstrous things of me." , though translations and interpretations vary, this shows how being dishonest was considered shameful and monstrous. Though Thorir was, shameful and monstrous, going on to do exactly that, and betray Grettir; it still shows how dishonesty was viewed in Old Norse society.
Self Reliance.
Independence, Autonomy, Freedom, Resilience, Self Dependance
Self reliance means relying on yourself. You need not rely on any other, or any thing. You need only rely on yourself.
This does not mean that you can not accept help from others. You need not go it alone. This also does not mean that you can never rely on others. Work with others and accept help from each others. But you must always be able to rely on yourself first and foremost. To provide for yourself, to care for yourself, etc. You mut be able to rely on yourself, for yourself.
Self reliance is essential to life. You can not go through life only relying on others. You are first and foremost responsible for your own wellbeing, your happines, your life, anything about you yourself, you are first and foremost responsible for. One must be able to survive with nothing but themselves.
Sjalfrhlita
Ullr
God of Winter
Sources:
1. Archaeological Evidence - There are many archaeological finds in northern europe and scandinavia of farm settlements that are confirmed to have been built and inhabited during and before the Viking Age. Sites such as Borg and Kaupang are preserved examples of this. Most Old Norse people were farmers, as that was the main way to provide food for yourself and your family. It was up to a family to provide for itself with its own farm.
2. Outdoorsmanship - Further archeological evidence shows that the Old Norse were skilled in outdoorsmanship. It was very common for the Old Norse people to hunt if they were not farming. To this day there are many fire strikers (fire starters) from the Old Norse, that were extremely common. Tools that would be used for starting a fire either at home or in the wilderness.
3. Egils Saga - Chapter XLIV - Egil Skallagrimsson's saga tells of how upon returning to a recently united Norway, Egil was almost killed. His would be killer poisoned his ale after a wedding party. Using runes and his own blood, egil broke the mug from which the poisoned ale would have been drunk. Knowing who was trying to kill him, Egil drew his sword and cut down his would be killer. However, Egill fled, as Eirik Bloodaxe, the Co-King at the time, ordered a manunt; losing several men in the process. Chapter XLV tells us of Egils's flight, running from his pursuers. Egil, alone, strapped weapons to his back and swam through the cold waters of the North Sea. Alone on an island, he had to survive, and when a search party of 12 men arrived to kill him, he killed the 3 men guarding the boat, took the boat and sailed off, leaving the remaining men stranded. Egil's survival, and strength to kill 3 men after the fact shows the virtue of self reliance, and being able to rely on yourself, alone, to survive, and triumph.
Discipline.
Routine, Mastery, Training, Control
Discipline in life. Discipline of the Self. In whatever form Discipline takes, it is the Seventh Virtue of Stridulfur.
There is a widespread quote that says, "He Who Lives Without Discipline, Dies Without Honor". It is quoted as an Icelandic Proverb, though there is no source material or evidence cited. Discipline is an integral part of one's life. It improves your quality of life, sharpens your mind, strengthens your body and spirit.
Discipline is one of the hardest virtues to maintain. Especially today, where in our modern world we have the luxury of living comfortable, easy lives, without need for discipline aside from minor forms of discipline. Because of this, it is extremely easy to let discipline slip. It is difficult to maintain for many, but vital, and integral.
Agi
Sources:
1. Havamal - Stanza 59 - The Original Old Norse text of this stanza reads - " Ar skal risa, sa er a yrkjendr faa, ok ganga sins verka a vit, margt of dvelr, þann er um morgin sefr, halfr er audr und hvotum." Out of the many translations and interpretations of this stanza, we will go with the translation by Benjamin Thorpe, his translation reads - "Early should rise he who has few workers, and go his work to see to; greatly is he (foolish)* who sleeps the morn away. Wealth half depends on energy." Waking up early in the morning, and going to work. Something that requires great discipline. Cited directly in the Havamal, the words of the wise one.
*Thrope Used the Word Retarded, Which has Been Substitued With the Word Foolish
2. Training - One of the widely agreed upon aspects of Old Norse life that made them and particularly the Vikings so proficient in combat was that they were trained from boys to fight. To train and improve in anything requires discipline, and with the almost legendary combat prowess of the vikings and the norsemen, it can be agreed on that the old norse would have trained often and frequently.
3. Egils Saga - Some sources say that in Egils saga there is a line that reads "Discipline is the Mother of all Virtues." Though this is yet to be fact checked in a full reading of Egils Saga, it should be noted nonetheless.
Wisdom.
Intelligence, Insight, Sense, Logic
Wisdom is a virtue that must be developed. Unlike other virtues, it is not a choice to be wise. Wisdom comes from experience. Sometimes, to achieve wisdom, one must be willing to sacrifice.
The All Father, the Chief God, Odin; gave his eye for knowledge. He hung himself for 9 days to absorb the wisdom of the world tree. No one is born wise. No man nor woman can become wise without experience or sacrifice. The Chief God of the Aesir, is the wisest of the gods. Experience, sacrifice, wandering, and living, there are many ways in which wisdom may be developed.
Wisdom is the guiding virtue in life. One must be wise to make the right choices in life. One must be wise to choose the right path in life. Thus, Wisdom is the guiding virtue of Stridulfur.
Vittr
Odin
The Chief Aesir God
Sources:
1. Havamal - The Havamal is one of the most important Norse texts that is still preserved to this day. It is translated as the words of the high one, our counsel of the one eye. It is one of the most important texts not only of the Old Norse, but arguably the most important text to modern heathenism. The importance of this text, a text of the Chief God's wisdom, shows how important the Old Norse valued wisdom. The text itself imbodies the virtue of wisdom, and its importance to the old norse.
2. Odins Eye - Odin gave his eye to mimir, to obtain knowledge, and wisdom. To give one's flesh, importantly, ones own eye, for any virtue, shows how important the virtue must be. To sacrifice your own eye, just to be gifted wisdom. Shows nothing short of the sactity, and the highest value of the virtue of wisdom.
Perseverance.
Tenacity, Industriousness, Grit, Resolve, Endurance
Preserverance is the ninth and final Virtue of Stridulfur. Preserverance can be seen as an umbrella term, but it is the same virtue that may go by many names. It is the final virtue on the shield knot when going in clockwise from the top. This is because under every other virtue, you must have resolve, you must be able to endure. You must perservere to maintain your virtues, even when it is easy to abandon them.
Preserverance as a Virtue is still vital in our modern world today. You must be able to preservere and have resolve in life. There are many things in this life and in this world that you absolutely can not give up on. To maintain a good work ethic, even when it gets hard and you want to give up, you continue onwards.
þrar
Vidarr
Norse God of Vengance
Sources:
1. Vidarr, God of Vengance - Vidarr is attested in the poetic edda. In the prophesy of Ragnarok, it is said that Fenrir will kill Odin, but Vidarr, son of Odin, god of vengance, shall avenge his father. Vidarr in the myths has a massive leather boot, that grows larger everytime a strip of leather is disregarded. This is so when Fenrir bites at Vidarr's foot, his boot will be too thick for Fenrir's teeth to pierce. Vidarr spends almost an eternity preparing to slay the great wolf, and shows the resolve and preserverance required to fulfill his mission and prophecy.
2. Grimnismal - The Grimnismal tells of the story of the hardships, trials and tests endured by the All-Father and Chief God, Odin. These hardships, trials and tests are all in Odin's pursuit of knowledge. One of the trials he had to endure was the sacrificing of his own eye, so that he could gain wisdom, and knowledge.