Birka Viking ear spoon, grave 660

Product description

The figure depicted on this ear spoon may represent a Valkyrie holding a drinking horn. The wolf motifs symbolize Fenrir, the son of Loki.

Viking women placed great value on decorated ear spoons and nail-cleaning sets, while men took pride in their ornate combs. Christian sources often expressed astonishment at the hygiene of the Vikings, who regularly washed and kept themselves clean. This practice had a religious foundation: unlike Christianity, in pagan belief one was not constantly watched by a god. Instead, the gods were approached at intentional, sacred moments. Ritual communication with the gods required cleanliness and beauty, including a well-groomed appearance. In this religion, beauty symbolized order, while filth represented chaos. This contrast was also reflected in the myth of Ragnarök, the final chaos. During Ragnarök, the ship Naglfar arrives, made from the nails of the dead. Long, dirty nails were believed to contribute to this looming chaos. In Iceland, it was even forbidden to look upon a sacred site before performing ritual washing.

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