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Is the notion —
— originally neopagan or traditional? I'd have thought the latter...
I'd removed the Neopagan section previously, because it contained this and the reference to Davidson (to which I'd added the actual quotation). Davidson was certainly talking about the traditional symbolism (although of course that may persist in neopagan use!).
So I'd rather move the neopagan sentence to the end... or add it to the "image stones" para?
-- Ant 09:19, 6 Dec 2004 (UTC)
Of course the Neopagans use the symbol as they imagine was the original significance. Therefore, attributed statements about the presumed original meaning are certainly admissible. They just cannot be made in an assertive voice by the article itself: Afaik, we only have the symbol drawn next to Odin on a couple of runestones. We have no idea about the actual thoughts behind that, binding, all-pervading, or what not. (or, if we do, I don't know it and will gladly be told otherwise. Maybe something in the Edda? Or what other sources do we have?) [[User:Dbachmann|
dab (
T) ]] 09:24, 6 Dec 2004 (UTC)
An interesting point! When does a notion cease to be an academic interpretation of the archeology and historical evidence and start to become a living belief? I guess there are three layers of neopagan belief:
Davidson's quotation is clearly of the second type... but is this notion adopted by neopagans?
It would be good to be clear whether the "nine worlds" para. is type 2 or 3. As it stands the implication is that it's 3. -- Ant 23:48, 6 Dec 2004 (UTC)
Well, if a notion is a living belief, it is so regardless of whether or not it is also an academic interpretation of historical facts. I am not trying to slight living beliefs at all here, and of course they are worthy of inclusion. traditional beliefs are always syncretic, there was no "pure" Germanic paganism in the year 150 BC which started to degenerate from that point. Beliefs are always in flux. "Academic support" is restricted to the question whether a particular belief was commonly held at a specific time. For contemporary beliefs, this is a simple matter of checking. The special case of Neopaganism arises from the fact that some groups take academic notions of reconstructed beliefs, and decide to hold them as personal, contemporary beliefs. This completely changes the nature of the notion: While an academic reconstruction is in principle always subject to revision, it will be more difficult to give up a personal belief, just because academics decide that they were wrong, and things were really different. Other groups have less qualms of historical correctness, and consciously blend ancient beliefs with modern notions (Jung et al).
Yes, it is our job here to describe the nature of the different associations of the Valknut symbol. So far, we have evidence of how the symbol is seen in Neo-pagan communities, and we should state it as such. If we can come up with academic notions of the symbol's status in the Viking Age, we will of course add those, too, and compare them to the modern notions. [[User:Dbachmann|
dab (
T) ]] 11:21, 7 Dec 2004 (UTC)
What I was looking for was some statement like one of the following –
Anything that's (1) or (2) should be firstly part of a "tradition" discussion. Only (3) or (4) should be first mentioned in a "neopagan" discussion.
I'll grant that the "nine worlds" quotation is in the right place... It's (4) until someone with the right knowledge comes along to move it. Which is what I did with Davidson: why the "neopagan" header before the quotation wasn't appropriate.
-- Ant 18:33, 7 Dec 2004 (UTC)
What is it? does it deserve its own article? The link given was commercial ("VALKNUT PENDANT $33.30"), and we shouldn't link to commercial sites, or at least not directly to product placements. [[User:Dbachmann| dab ( T) ]] 11:26, 7 Dec 2004 (UTC)
Thanks to Dab for correcting my mistake - I got the Valknute mixed up with this [1] symbol. Any known relation between the two?
no:Valknut has a definition that is both more general, and more specific: A figure with one line looping in round or square loops. I guess they should add a requirement for some symmetry to their definition. -- (unsigned and undated entry)
I remember reading (a) that the Berserkers used this symbol, and (b) that members of the Nazi S.S. had it tatooed either in their armpit or inside the top of their upper arm. Is there any truth to this? 129.94.6.28 05:46, 25 June 2006 (UTC)
I really don't see what your edits added to article "Valknut", since (among other things), the word Borromean is always capitalized (being the adjective form of the name of the Borromeo family of italy), the word "Triquetra" has a highly-specific meaning in modern usage (and is not merely a vague equivalent of "Triskelion"), the form of the symbol shown in image Image:Valknut-Symbol-3linkchain-closed.svg seems to be used by some modern neo-pagans (even if it isn't ancient, as clearly indicated), and the three horns symbol on the Snoldelev stone is not equivalent to any form of a Valknut. AnonMoos 16:33, 24 February 2007 (UTC)
If you made that image yourself, then it would have been nice if you had made it larger and clearer... AnonMoos 16:38, 24 February 2007 (UTC)
Sorry, but your edit replaces facts with non-facts. What does the Valknut being "topologically equivalent to a triskelion" even mean?? Nothing that I can determine... The Triskelion being topologically equivalent to a triquetra means that it is fundamentally the same as the 3_1 knot (external link to Knot Atlas), The Triskelion being topologically equivalent to the Borromean rings means that it is fundamentally the same as the L6a4 knot (external link to Knot Atlas), but it being equivalent to the Triskelion has no meaning. AnonMoos 23:31, 24 February 2007 (UTC)
Dude, in the article as of 22:58, 24 February 2007 (see here), there is the sentence which reads:
That sentence, as it left your keyboard (and therefore your responsibility, since you freely chose to edit the sentence) clearly says that a Valknut is sometimes topologically equivalent to a Triskelion, which is absolute meaningless gibberish, as far as I can determine.
Conversely, the sentence as it existed before you came along, read as follows:
Which meant that Image:Valknut-Symbol-borromean.svg is equivalent to an L6a4 knot , Image:Valknut-Symbol-3linkchain-closed.svg is equivalent L6n1 knot , and Image:Valknut-Symbol-triquetra.svg is equivalent to a 3_1 knot -- which is both meaningful and true.
I really wish you wouldn't meddle with things where you don't appear to know what you're talking about. AnonMoos 23:51, 24 February 2007 (UTC)
I hate to break it to you, but as soon as you start comparing two sets of closed knotted and/or interlinked loops to each other, in order to decide whether they are the "same" or "different", then you're automatically entering into the realm of mathematics. In some of the simplest cases, common-sense and superficial visual inspection can tell you whether two knots or links are the "same" or "different" (without writing down any equations) -- but as soon as you encounter more complex knotted configurations, or someone asks you to prove that two knots or links are the "same" or "different", or someone asks you what is a general procedure (that will in apply in all cases) to determine whether two knots or links are the "same" or "different", then you'll need mathematics pretty quickly. AnonMoos 00:26, 25 February 2007 (UTC)
First off, Image:TriskelionValknut.jpg is not a triskelion, rather it includes a triskelion. And if you were intending to make statements about that image in article Valknut, but without actually adding the image to article Valknut, then that was extremely confusing and unclear (it certainly managed to confuse me). And no, what is shown in File:TriskelionValknut.jpg is not a knot -- that depiction doesn't properly interlace, for one thing. With proper interlacing, it's always clear that what goes under on one side comes back up on the opposite side, with no ambiguity about how things join up. In Image:TriskelionValknut.jpg , it's quite unclear how things are intended to be joined up in the center. AnonMoos 00:45, 25 February 2007 (UTC)
Dude, topology is by no means confined to knots. Examples involving Toruses, Moebius strips and Klein bottles often figure prominently. AnonMoos 01:18, 25 February 2007 (UTC)
the word Borromean is always capitalized (being the adjective form of the name of the Borromeo family of italy)
Fair enough.
the word "Triquetra" has a highly-specific meaning in modern usage (and is not merely a vague equivalent of "Triskelion")
No where did I claim such, I was indicating the difference. The line Geometrically, it is topologically equivalent to Borromean rings, a closed 3-link chain, a triquetra or a triskelion Is not saying they are all equivalent, rather that they are all different in how they are made. It isn't grammatically proper to write "or" after each line but rather put a comma & only add "or" after the last instance, am I wrong? Also, you're argument is moot, because the revert you went to had the exactly same wording only ending in a closed 3-link chain, or the triquetra, so if you're using that argument, your revert needs to go back further.
If you made that image yourself, then it would have been nice if you had made it larger and clearer
I made it a long time ago with on a different computer and have had it on my harddrive for ages. I don't have the means to make another at the time, maybe someone else could upload it and replace it, but as it stands, it is the only available image example of a valknut symbol that I've seen used in this capacity elsewhere.
the three horns symbol on the Snoldelev stone is not equivalent to any form of a Valknut
"See also" isn't required to only link to something equivalent, is it?; The Snoldelev stone is a Nordic tri-part symbol found on ancient runestones, what more is needed to require a "see also" link? That seems enough association to me.
Nagelfar 23:02, 24 February 2007 (UTC)
.. That sentence, as it left your keyboard (and therefore your responsibility, since you freely chose to edit the sentence) ..
Please cite the wikipedia policy in which that is the case, I thought there was a 'be bold' policy, in terms of anyone being able to edit it to whatever extent they feel they can contribute. I didn't know there was a feudalistic policy where the last one to edit is held accountable for the entire content of the article. Nagelfar 23:55, 24 February 2007 (UTC)
I have no idea what that's supposed to mean. You appear to have a large vocabulary of vague abstract conceptual terminology (though you don't always spell it correctly), but you appear to be rather deficient in knowledge of very basic facts of knot theory (a branch of mathematical topology), and in being able to understand or to decide when and why a sentence says something which is either mathematically true or mathematically false. That being the case, it might have behooved you to take a less "bold" approach to the article.
Furthermore, you are responsible for the particular parts of an article you chose to edit, in the form in which they were left after you edited them. when you choose to edit a sentence, it's your corresponding duty to make sure that you don't change a sentence expressing a mathematical truth into a sentence expressing a mathematical falsehood (or expressing no clear meaning at all). If you find that "fascistic", then maybe you should rethink your participation in Wikipedia. AnonMoos 00:08, 25 February 2007 (UTC)
Geometrically, it is topologically equivalent to either Borromean rings, a closed 3-link chain, a triquetra or a triskelion, depending on the particular artistic depiction
Would a change of the above to something like;
Geometrically, it is topologically equivalent to either Borromean rings, a closed 3-link chain or a triquetra. It is also found as a triskelion, depending on the particular artistic depiction:
...Be of your approval? I can only assume that a triskelion doesn't somehow fit traditional topology. (Though I assume topology encompassing anything with form) Nagelfar 00:33, 25 February 2007 (UTC)
...
Ok, I added external links to the L6a4 knot, L6n1 knot & 3_1 knot from your knot wiki in accord to how they relate to the valknut symbols given in the article.
Maybe you have the knowhow to say how exactly this image I added is classed in terms of being a knot;
Two dimensionally, it doesn't connect; though theoretically it could be connected in three dimensions behind the back of the central "triskelion", does that qualify it as a knot? Let's work on this together; wikipedia would benefit as a whole because of it. You seem to be knowledgable on the technical aspect of knots. Nagelfar 00:48, 25 February 2007 (UTC)
Whether or not it is "technically" a knot, I hold fast to the fact that it is a triskelion (it has one more arm bend than is commonly found, but this doesn't exclude it from the definition. Are all triskelions defined as having only two arm bends rather than three or four?) Nagelfar 00:54, 25 February 2007 (UTC)
...
I reverted to the previous condition of the article, and hopefully we can make slow incremental improvements to it (if necessary), which will not change mathematically correct sentences into meaningless gibberish, or introduce one person's own floundering improvised ad-hoc terminology ("with gaps between the knot links" etc. etc.) instead of standard accepted conventional terminology. Why don't you start by answering the following questions? --
1) Is the version of the symbol in Image:TriskelionValknut.jpg (which includes a Triskelion, but is not itself a Triskelion) your own personal individual invention? (The fact that it doesn't follow the standard artistic conventions or "grammar" of proper unambiguous interlacing means that it almost certainly isn't ancient.)
2) Is it used by any noteworthy individuals or groups (other than by you personally)?
3) If the answer to question 1 is "yes" and the answer to question 2 is "no", then why should it be included on Wikipedia at all? AnonMoos 22:03, 25 February 2007 (UTC)
If you had taken the time to read my responses on my own talk page I had answered all of these questions. I have been at wikipedia since Jan '04, I know all of this, I know all of the rules and regs. etc. etc. I contend that none of the lines written were "gibberish" at all whatsoever, and I will continue to contend so. This was NOT MY CREATION. I re-edited the image from a webpage logo as to not include wording from scratch maybe even as many as ten years ago. I also saw it reused in this style online around that time. If I am not mistaken, it was from the webpage of the WOT, which is now defunct. I cannot even find the image on archive.org, as I've looked for about an hour, but I remember it clearly as I took the time to retrace & save it; it existed, it was used on a highly trafficked website. I said as such in my talk page. So NO it is "NOT my own personal creation. As for 2; yes, it was used by the WOT & more. Secondly, you're past your three reverts on this issue, which you too quickly go to before proper editing. The wording was perfectly viable, not gibberish at all, any third party could read and understand such. Nagelfar 04:25, 26 February 2007 (UTC)
In addition, you're wrong, the image given is clearly a triskelion. The number of bends and length of them, are not defined to any degree; only that there are three bending arms from an outward point in a single direction; this is all that 'Valknut' variant consists of. Nagelfar 04:29, 26 February 2007 (UTC)
What is "In terms not of true knots" even supposed to mean??? The individual words are certainly English, but it really doesn't add up to a meaningful clause. AnonMoos 06:56, 26 February 2007 (UTC)
You obviously know something about Scandinavian placenames etc., so why not concentrate your efforts in areas where you can make a useful contribution (as opposed to geometry, which does not seem to be one of those areas)? AnonMoos 07:05, 26 February 2007 (UTC)
And please; "or introduce one person's own floundering improvised ad-hoc terminology ("with gaps between the knot links" etc. etc.) instead of standard accepted conventional terminology." This is wikipedia reword it to conform to whichever way you think is best, rather than simply remove a truism about the topology & historic difference between instances of the image that the article is about. Reverting rather than editing comes across as lazy and it can quite frankly be destructive. Here is the line Besides these differences between variants of Valknuts, each of these can further be separated into Valknuts with gaps between the knot links (or just in the center), and closed contiguous Valknuts (c.f. for the former the Tängelgarda stone & c.f. for the latter the Lärbro stone.) I challenge you to better it, and add it to the article. Otherwise state your extact reasoning for continuing to remove it Nagelfar 17:07, 26 February 2007 (UTC)
I think the dichotomy of our different approach to this article, AnonMoos, may be summed in you reverting the Snoldelev Stone internal link with that of the triskelion. You see the page from a purely symbolistic/mathematical angle, whereas I see it from a cultural importance angle. It's occurrence in popular culture, the meanings imbued to it etc. How it actually relates and our difference in vision for article has to be resolved on those terms. Nagelfar 17:38, 26 February 2007 (UTC)
I think the image for the Borromean rings and the image for the 3-chain should be switched. The gray and blue triangle in the present "Borromean rings" image are disconnected. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.11.184.31 ( talk) 09:35, 8 September 2007 (UTC)
/\ / \ / /\ \ /\ / / \ \/ \ / / /\ \ \/\ \ / / / \/\ \ \ \ / / / /\/ /\ \ \ \ / / / / / /\ \ \ \ \ / / / / / /\ \ \ \ \ \ / /_/ /_/_/__\ \_\ \ \ \ /___/ /________\ \___\ \ \ / / / /______\_\_____\ \ / / /____________________\ / /______________\ \ /____________________\
Just because I saved this from some time ago and thought it should live on in some form to someone or several (potentially) who perhaps maybe a use for it. Nagelfar ( talk) 08:35, 15 August 2009 (UTC)
How much stuff do you want here? Off the top of my head I can think of another two examples: the Swedish metal band Amon Amarth's 2006 album With Oden on Our Side has the valknut as the background of the album artwork, and the 'barbarian invasion' expansion to the computer game Rome Total War has it as the faction symbol for the Alemanni, but I don't know how important or relevant those are. If anyone's interested they could put them in I suppose 130.216.234.125 ( talk) 04:04, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
Can somebody please put informations from this source to the article? Dominikmatus ( talk) 20:19, 27 May 2017 (UTC)
This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 15 August 2022 and 9 December 2022. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Berserkz ( article contribs).
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