Hannunvaakuna

“Hannunvaakuna is a Finnish word with several meanings. It is known to mean ‘Frost’s breath’ or the name of a creature in Finnish mythology, said to cause frosty weather. It is said to have a head of a reindeer and a body of a snake. It is also said to have a tail that it uses to create frosty breath. It is mentioned in the Kalevala, a Finnish epic poem. In the poem, it is said to be the standard of the frost giant Tapio. The word Hannunvaakuna has been used in Finnish place names, such as Hannunvaara in Oulu. The Hannunvaakuna is a symbol of protection in Finnish mythology. It is often portrayed as a human-like figure with wings and a long, red cloak. The Hannunvaakuna is said to watch over those who are lost in the wilderness and guide them back to safety. It can be found on many items, such as jewelry, clothing, and even coffee mugs. It is also a popular tattoo design. The origins of the Hannunvaakuna are unclear, but it is believed to be an ancient symbol. Some scholars believe that it may be related to the ancient Finnish god, Ukko. The Hannunvaakuna has also been linked to the Nordic god, Thor, and is often seen as a symbol of protection and guidance. It is also seen as a symbol of strength and courage.” (TEWAI)

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“The looped square is a symbol consisting of a square with outward pointing loops at its corners. It is referred to by this name, for example, in works regarding the Mississippian culture (approximately 800 CE to 1600 CE). It is also known as the place of interest sign when used on information signs, a practice that started in Finland in the 1950s and spread to other Nordic countries in the 1960s. Also, the symbol is known as Saint John’s Arms or Saint Hannes cross (related to Swedish sankthanskors, Danish johanneskors, and Finnish hannunvaakuna), as Gorgon loop, and as the command-key symbol due to its use on the command key on Apple computer keyboards.

It is an ancient symbol used by several cultures and remains in common use today. It belongs to a class of symbols which are called valknute in Norway. The symbol appears on a number of ancient objects in Northern Europe. It features prominently on a picture stone from Hablingbo, Gotland, Sweden, that was created between 400 and 600 AD. It is also similar to a traditional heraldic emblem called a Bowen knot. In Finland, the symbol was painted or carved on houses and barns, and domestic utensils such as tableware, to protect them and their owners from evil spirits and bad luck. The oldest surviving example is a pair of 1000-year-old (Finnish pre-Christian period) wooden skis decorated with the symbol. The looped square also appears on artifacts of the Mississippian culture of the southeastern United States. While not a true knot, many depictions follow the convention for heraldic knots in that the crossings of the strand obey an under-over pattern.” (Wiki)