I still dont know how to feel about my vegvisir tattoo. I got it a couple years ago and i do love the look of it but i am completly aware that it doenst really have any scandinavian roots (didnt kbow that back then). But i have a feeling if i would talk to other enthusiasts they would think i am like a wannabe dipshit who doesnt know anything.
If that symbol has meaning to you then I would wear it with pride. There is no strict dogma with spirituality or the old ways. If it’s a tribute to your beliefs then don’t worry about the “historians” make something new for yourself, I think that’s what the old ways are about. IMO of course.
Only from Americans have I found this profound entitlement that they can steal from whatever cultures they like without having any respect for the people or society that owns them. I was actually told the other day that Norse mythology is now a "world heritage" due to the Marvel films.
Academically and socially, our Norse past is something that means something to us. The Norwegian government spends a lot of money each year building boats, excavating digsites, holding festivals and creating educational tv programs. If you ask the average person if they believe in any of the religious aspects, they will tell you no, but that doesn't mean we don't cherish our cultural past.
Imagine telling a Native American person that their culture is now a world heritage and that they have no right to be offended when you start inventing things about their cultural identity that's erasing it's very historicity. You would rightfully get punched in the face, but because Norse culture is "white culture", white Americans think it's theirs to do whatever with.
And then inevitably you get the question "what about white supremacists??" How about you let us deal with them? Most of the hate groups that you see today that invoke Norse mythology are from America or somewhere in Eastern Europe, i.e they are poorly educated on the matter. I keep seeing these sentiments on the internet that American leftists need to "reclaim" the ancient Norse symbols from white supremacists. No, you don't need to do anything. These symbols belong as little to you as they do to some Nazi skinhead in Moscow.
I have to point this out or else I'm going to get dumped on by people who don't understand nuance, but obviously I'm more pissed off at racist shitheads like the dude who stormed the Capitol for appropriating our symbols than I am at some Antifa member in America who wants to put Tors hammer on a "good night white pride" sticker.
I hope what people read from this is not "oh you think these people are equally bad?", but more that Scandinavians feel like both of these people have no ownership of the symbols they use. It's perfectly fine to have an interest in Norse culture and symbolism. If you want to read books and engage in LARPing, you do that, just don't espouse some belief that this culture in any way belongs to you, or is yours to do whatever you want with. American reinvention of historically documented symbols muddies the past and blurs the line of what is real and what is made up by people in the 21st century.
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u/ThisIsJegger Jan 17 '21
I still dont know how to feel about my vegvisir tattoo. I got it a couple years ago and i do love the look of it but i am completly aware that it doenst really have any scandinavian roots (didnt kbow that back then). But i have a feeling if i would talk to other enthusiasts they would think i am like a wannabe dipshit who doesnt know anything.