Huginn and Muninn are the two mythical ravens that serve the god Odin. In this blog, we will delve deeper into their role and the symbolism of ravens in other European cultures.
Indo-European Raven Symbolism
Around 3000 BCE, the Proto-Indo-Europeans migrated from the Pontic-Caspian steppe into Europe, laying the foundation for cultures such as the Vikings, Romans, Greeks, and Celts. Many of their cultural expressions are still visible in Germanic and Scandinavian traditions.
It is likely that these steppe herders associated ravens with scavenging the bodies of fallen warriors after battle. As a result, they saw the raven as a messenger between the world of the living and the dead.
This association led some Indo-European peoples to connect the raven with the transition from the season of death to the season of life.
The raven is a remarkably intelligent bird. Its intelligence and its mythical ability to travel between worlds granted it a special role in Germanic and Old Norse mythology.
Huginn and Muninn
In Norse mythology, Huginn ("thought") and Muninn ("will" or "desire/intent") are two ravens that fly across the world, Midgard, to gather information for Odin. These birds play a prominent role in various ancient texts, including the Poetic Edda, the Prose Edda, Heimskringla, and the Third Grammatical Treatise.
Odin is often depicted with Huginn and Muninn perched on his shoulders. Each day, he sends the ravens out to explore the world, and by mealtime, they return to inform him of what they have seen and heard. This symbolic role is emphasized in texts such as Grímnismál, where Odin (disguised as Grímnir) tells Prince Agnarr that he fears Huginn may not return, but he dreads the loss of Muninn even more.
In the Prose Edda, Odin is referred to as the "raven god" (Hrafnaguð) due to his close connection with these birds. Additionally, Heimskringla states that Odin granted Huginn and Muninn the gift of speech, making them essential messengers. This relationship is sometimes linked to shamanistic traditions, where ravens symbolize spiritual journeys, fylgja (guardian spirits), and protective entities such as the hamingja.
Archaeological Finds and Iconography
Depictions of Odin with his ravens appear in numerous archaeological discoveries.
Bracteates from the Migration Period, found in Denmark, England, and Sweden, depict a human figure above a horse, flanked by one or two ravens. Austrian Germanist Rudolf Simek suggests that these bracteates may depict Odin and his ravens healing a horse, indicating that the birds were not only his companions on the battlefield but also his assistants in his veterinary role, as mentioned in the Merseburg Charms.
Similar depictions appear on helmet plates (pressblechs) from the Vendel period, sometimes in combination with the horned spear-dancer. From the 4th century CE onward, brooches shaped like ravens were also crafted, worn on each shoulder according to the fashion of the Germanic Iron Age. Thousands of these brooches have been found throughout the Germanic world. Ravens appear on jewelry, brooches, and belt fittings of the Alamanni, Visigoths, Franks, Vandals, Lombards, and other Germanic peoples.
The Lejre Odin figurine depicts a seated figure with two birds, possibly symbolizing Odin on his throne, flanked by his loyal ravens.
The Thorwald Cross on the Isle of Man features an image of a man holding a spear, with a bird on his shoulder and a wolf beside him, possibly representing Odin during Ragnarök.
Interpretations of Huginn and Muninn
Scholars see Huginn and Muninn as more than just mythical companions. Their names suggest a connection to Odin’s intellectual and spiritual powers, reminiscent of shamanistic practices where trance journeys and spiritual helpers play a central role.
Other interpretations link them to Germanic concepts such as the fylgja (guardian spirit) and hamingja (a bringer of luck or soul-double). Huginn and Muninn are also seen as personifications of knowledge and memory, fundamental aspects of Odin’s wisdom.
Biologist Bernd Heinrich connects the myth of Huginn and Muninn to a natural symbiosis between humans, ravens, and wolves. In this context, the ravens serve as the "eyes" and "mind" of Odin, while the wolves act as his "hunters and warriors." This relationship may reflect prehistoric hunting alliances in which humans and animals worked together.
The Raven in Other European Traditions
In many European traditions, the raven is seen as a messenger between the world of the living and the dead. This aligns with its role in mythologies where it explores the unknown and reveals hidden knowledge.
Slavic Tradition
Just as the raven serves as Odin’s companion in Norse mythology, it often represents a bridge between worlds in Slavic folklore. The raven’s role as a guardian of the boundaries between life and death makes it a powerful symbol in rituals celebrating the cycle of the year.
In Slavic culture, the year was viewed as a cycle, with the raven playing an important role as a symbol of seasonal transitions. It was associated with rituals marking seasonal changes, such as St. George’s Day, and was known as a messenger between life and death. In both Norse and Slavic mythologies, the raven functions as a guide between these realms and a guardian of their boundaries.
The raven is also seen as a symbol of wisdom and protection. The Slavic word vran (crow), which means both "black" and "to defend," highlights the watchful and protective role of the raven in folklore and rituals.
Celtic Tradition
In Celtic culture, the raven was linked to war and protection. Between the 3rd century BCE and the 1st century CE, the Celtic tribes of Bulgaria and Serbia crafted curved daggers called sica. These were given as grave offerings to warriors alongside their shields and swords. Many of these daggers have been found in the context of animal sacrifices, suggesting a ritual function. Many are decorated with solar symbols and birds, often interpreted as ravens.
In the 4th century BCE, a chieftain in Ciumești, Romania, was buried with a helmet featuring a raven or another bird of prey. Similar helmets are also depicted on the Gundestrup Cauldron.
The Proto-Celtic word for raven, branos, frequently appears in place names and personal names. Examples include Vranje, Serbia, and Brennus, the name of two different Gallic warlords. In the Welsh Mabinogion, there is mention of King Bendigeidfran, meaning "blessed raven," and his sister Branwen, meaning "white raven."
In the Cornish May festivals of Penzance, a crowned raven figure called Old Ned is ritually "killed" and then revived, symbolizing the cycle of death and rebirth, a theme often associated with ravens.
Griekse traditie
In Greek mythology, ravens are associated with Apollo, the god of prophecy. They were seen as omens of misfortune and served as divine messengers in the mortal world.
According to one myth, Apollo sent a white raven (or crow, in some versions) to spy on his lover, Coronis. When the raven returned with the news that Coronis had been unfaithful, Apollo burned the raven in his rage, turning its feathers black.
In this story, the raven is not only punished for delivering its message but also symbolizes the natural cycle of change, with its transformation mirroring the shift of seasons.
Conclusion
Ravens are likely associated with intelligence, strategy, knowledge, magic, and foresight. While the wolf represents cunning, aggression, and strength, the raven embodies thoughtfulness, sharp perception, and the careful pursuit of goals. Both emphasize the Proto-Indo-European warrior culture in different ways.
These two elements converge in the god Odin, whose role is to maintain cosmic order.
Ravens in brooches
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/merovingian-s-fibula.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/bird-fibula-uppakra-silvered.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/germanic-raven-brooch-gotland-right-silvered.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/germanic-raven-brooch-gotland-right-bronze.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/merovingian-s-fibula-silvered.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-brooch-tranby-silvered.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/alemannic-bird-fibula-silvered.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/germanic-raven-brooch-gotland-left-bronze.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/frankish-eagle-fibula-silver-color.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/rusvik-cloak-clasp-bronze.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/germanic-raven-brooch-gotland-left-silvered.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/frankish-eagle-fibula.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/alemannic-bird-fibula-silvered.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/bronze-cloak-clasp-with-midgard-snake.html
Ravens in jewelry
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/ijzertijdring-himlingoje-brons.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/10th-century-viking-raven-pendant-silvered.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/rusvik-leg-wrapping-hooks-silvered.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/vendel-ravensieraad-verzilverd.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/vikingsieraad-urnesstijl-midgardslang-messing.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/10de-eeuwse-viking-raaf-jaroslav-verzilverd.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/germaans-ravenamulet-verzilverd.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/tinnen-mantelsluiting-met-midgardslang.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/rusvikoorbellen-jaroslav-brons.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/rusvikoorbellen-jaroslav-verzilverd.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/vikingsieraad-gevleugelde-man-van-uppaakra-brons.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/vikingoorbellen-midgardslang-verzilverd.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/viking-torque-met-raven-koppen-verzilverd.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/oorbellen-germaanse-raaf-brons.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/vikingoorbellen-midgardslang-brons.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/germaanse-ijzertijdring-naustdal-brons.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/viking-ravenarmband-verzilverd.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/germaans-ravenamulet.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/10de-eeuws-rusvik-ravenamulet-verzilverd.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/germaanse-ijzertijdring-segerstad-verzilverd.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/rusvik-mantelsluiting-verzilverd.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/viking-ravenarmband-brons.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/10de-eeuwse-vikingraaf-hanger-brons.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/haakjes-voor-beenwindsels-birka.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/rusvik-beenwindsel-sluiting.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/leren-armband-huginn-muninn.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/allamaanse-vogelfibula.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/viking-sieraadverdeler.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/germaanse-ijzertijdring-naustdal-verzilverd.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/oorbellen-germaanse-raaf-verzilverd.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/viking-torque-met-raven-koppen-brons.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/germaanse-ijzertijdring-segerstad-brons.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/mantelsluiting-midgardslang-urnesstijl-verzilverd.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/viking-sieraadverdeler-verzilverd.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/mantelsluiting-midgardslang-urnesstijl-brons.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/mantelsluiting-met-midgardslang-verzilverd.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/10de-eeuws-rusvik-ravenamulet.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/vendel-ravensieraad-messing.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/vikingamulet-midgardslang-verzilverd.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/verzilverde-mantelsluiting-met-midgardslang.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/viking-hanger-gehoornde-odin.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/vendel-fibula-slang.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/s-vormige-longobardische-vogelbroche.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/frankische-vogelbroche.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/viking-torque-hugin-en-munin.html
Ravens on drinking horns
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/drinkhoorn-met-raaf.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/hoornmok-grote-viking-crow.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/gegraveerde-odin-drinkhoorn.html
Ravens on belts & belt fittings
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/sutton-hoo-riemgesp-verzilverd.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/sutton-hoo-gesp-messing.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/vikinggesp-met-gestyleerde-vogels.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/sutton-hoo-riemgesp.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/vikinggesp-langgesnavelde-vogels.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/germaanse-raaf-riembeslag-grote-volksverhuizing-pa.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/deepeeka-gotland-schedebeslag.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/angelsaksische-riem-sutton-hoo.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/9de-eeuwse-angelsaksische-riem.html
Ravens on clothing
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-tunic-hugin-munin-black.html
Ravens on weapons
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/handgesmeed-mes-jorik.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/keltische-iberische-falcata-hannibal.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/keltisch-mes-met-vogelmotief.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/set-viking-bijl-en-mes.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/romeinse-3de-eeuwse-gladius-ravenna.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/viking-schild-met-raven-en-triquetras.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/viking-sax-hugin-en-munin.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/republican-parazonium.html
Ravens in wood carvings
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/wood-carving-hugin-odins-raven.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/drinking-horn-holder-munin.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/woodcarving-viking-raven.html
Ravens on accessories
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-hnefatafl-game.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/drinking-horn-decoration-stavanger-silvered.html