%0 Electronic Article %A Gardeła, Leszek %I Univ. %D 2022 %G English %@ 1904-8181 %T Miniature Spears in the Viking Age: Small Symbols of Óðinn? %J Religionsvidenskabeligt tidsskrift %V 74 %P 396-430 %U https://tidsskrift.dk/rvt/article/download/132113/177480 %U https://doi.org/10.7146/rt.v74i.132113 %U https://tidsskrift.dk/rvt/article/view/132113 %X ABSTRACT: The spear is doubtlessly one of the most iconic weapons of the Viking Age. In addition to its numerous applications in armed conflict, where it was used by foot- and horseback warriors, the spear served as a potent emblem of power and social prominence. Furthermore, archaeological discoveries of spears in ritual contexts demonstrate unequivocally that these weapons played important roles in pre-Christian religious practice, in some instances perhaps echoing myths about Óðinn. This paper examines a group of rare Viking Age miniatures shaped like spears and spearheads. Made of a variety of materials, including iron, silver, copper alloys and wood, these intriguing artefacts were probably carried on the body singly or as part of elaborate sets of religious paraphernalia. By investigating the contexts of their discovery, as well as their materiality and different practical applications, new ideas will be offered about the miniature spears’ social and symbolic significance.