A prominent position is held by rings in early Germanic cultures, appearing both in archaeology throughout areas settled by Germanic peoples, and in textual sources discussing their practices and beliefs. They are notably associated with the related aspects of wealth, being used as forms of currency in the Early Medieval Period, and swearing sacred oaths, often dedicated to, or witnessed by, the gods. The sacrality of rings is reflected in Germanic mythology and ring bestowal held a central role in maintaining functional relationships between rulers and their retinues. The cultural roles of rings continued to varying extents during and after the Christianisation of the Germanic peoples, such as in gift-bestowal and oath-swearing.
Neck ring with plug clasp from the Treasure of Osztrópataka displayed at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria.
The Bedale Hoard, discovered in Bedale in North Yorkshire in 2012, featuring a number of rings.
The ring of Pietroassa (drawing by Henri Trenk, 1875).
A detail from the early 11th c. Drävle runestone that has been interpreted as Andvaranaut to the left of the picture being held either by Andvari or Atli's messenger Vingi, on the top of the picture, Sigurð slaying Fáfnir, and to the right Sigrdrífa offering him a drinking horn.
Ullr
Videos
In Norse mythology, Ullr is a god associated with skiing. Although literary attestations of Ullr are sparse, evidence including relatively ancient place-name evidence from Scandinavia suggests that he was a major god in earlier Germanic paganism. Proto-Germanic *wulþuz ('glory') appears to have been an important concept of which his name is a reflex. The word appears as owlþu- on the 3rd-century Thorsberg chape.
Ollerus traverses the sea on his magic bone; 16th-century woodcut
Illustration from an 18th-century Icelandic manuscript showing Ullr on his skis and with his bow
Early 20th-century German lead medal depicting Ullr, Schutzpatron der Skifahrer
Reverse of the same medal