скальдическая поэзия

In the current article the author makes an attempt of interpretation of three most significant animal symbols of Viking Age – the Wolf, the Raven and the Serpent – in their mythological, ritual and social sence. The author’s aim was to demonstrate and analyze the indissoluble connection between bestial symbolics and the cult of weapons, the inherent part of the Old Norse mythologic and poetic traditions, in the different aspects.

The article deals with some aspects of making a figure of a Norwegian ruler Olaf Haraldsson a saint martyr. Scaldic poetry of the 11th century was taken as a basis for research. The works written after the death of saint Olaf at the battle of Stiklestad are of great interest. Due to the peculiarities of scaldic poetry one can assume that Olaf’s cult and consequently formation of his image started in 1031–1035. However these works are important not just as a proof of hagiographical tradition, but legitimization of royal power in Norway as well.