Sacred Texts Legends/Sagas Celtic Iceland Index Previous Next
Click to enlarge
PLATE VIII.
INSCRIBED CROSS, JURBY.
HEIMDALL, WARDER OF THE GODS.
Click to enlarge
PLATE IX.
INSCRIBED CROSS, JURBY.
THE SYBIL, HYNDLA.
A fragment at Jurby (pl. VIII.) shows on one face,. above the right arm of the cross, a figure of a Man in a tunic with a row of large buttons; in his left hand a short, pointed sword, his right holding to his mouth a long Alpine horn (Lur). On his head is a curious helmet, above the horn a flying raven.
Evidently this is intended for Heimdall, Warder of the Gods, who is stationed at the foot of the rainbow Bif-rost, "quaking bridge," leading from earth to Asgard. At Ragnarök he summons the gods to the last great battle by a. blast on the Giallar horn, which rings through all the nine worlds:--
The Raven flies before him carrying the tidings to Odin. On the other face (pl. IX.), in like position, is a female
figure, dog-headed, with long, braided hair. As suggested by Professor S. Bugge, this may be the Sibyl Hyndla, " little Hound," who prophesies of Heimdall and of Ragnarök.