Pagan symbolism: Donars maces

The Donarknot, Donarkeule or Hercules knot was a Germanic type of jewelry worn throughout Germanic Europe during the late Roman Empire and the Migration Period. The Donarsknot can be compared to the Thor's hammer from the Viking Age. In this blog, we delve into the meaning of this protective amulet.  

Around 3000 BC, the Proto-Indo-Europeans migrated from the Pontic-Caspian steppe to Europe. They laid the basic for cultures such as the Vikings, Romans, Greeks, and Celts. On the basic of archaeology, comparative religious studies, and historical linguistics, we know much about the society of the Proto-Indo-European steppe herders. We have even been able to reconstruct part of their pantheon.

*Perkʷūnos is the reconstructed Proto-Indo-European god of lightning and storms. His name probably means 'Lord of the Oaks'. This god is often depicted with a weapon such as a hammer, axe or mace. Lightning and thunder had both a destructive and life-giving significance: lightning could split a tree but also brought fertile rain.

Perkʷūnos was often associated with oaks, as they are frequently struck by lightning. Additionally, he was linked to stones, forests, and mountainous regions in stories.

Gods descending from Perkʷūnos are found throughout European mythologies. Examples include the Norse Fjǫrgyn (the mother of Thor), the Lithuanian Perkūnas, and the Slavic Perun. The name of the Hercynian forest, a primeval forest mentioned in classical sources, possibly also derives from the word *perkʷu- for 'oak'. The Albanian thunder god Perëndi also seems related, with his name derived from words meaning "sky" and "strikes". In the Vedic tradition, Parjánya fulfills a similar role as the god of rain, thunder, and lightning.

In myths, the motif of Perkūnos as a warrior plays a significant role. He strikes down demons, enemies, and evil forces.

Another group of thunder gods is connected to the Indo-European root *(s)tenh₂, meaning 'thunder'. This group includes Germanic, Celtic, and Roman gods such as Donar, Thor, Taranis, Jupiter, Tonans, and Zeus Keraunos.

Some researchers believe these gods originally arose from a nickname or title, such as the Vedic Parjánya, who is also called "Thunderer" (stanayitnú-).

The Roman god Mars, who originally had a stronger connection with storms and thunder, may also originate from this. His transformation into a war god shows how the image and position of gods can change over time, while many of their original characteristics remained.

In the Proto-Indo-European creation story, the storm god Perkūnos also plays a role. In this myth, the first man, *Manu and his twin brother *Yemo travel through the universe, accompanied by a primordial cow. To create the world, Manu sacrifices his brother.

With the help of celestial gods, Manu makes the earth and humanity from Yemo's body. Thus, Manu becomes the first priest. From Yemo's body emerge the social classes: priests from his head, warriors from his chest and arms, and farmers from his legs.

The third man, *Trito, receives sacred cattle from the gods as a gift. However, a three-headed serpent, *Ngwhi, steals them. With the help of the Stormgod, Trito defeats the serpent. He returns the cattle to a priest, so they can be sacrificed. In this myth, it becomes clear that the storm god also fulfilled a martial function. 

In Roman times, Donar (the West Germanic equivalent of Thor) was often referred to via interpretatio romana as Jupiter or Hercules, due to similarities such as between the Thor's hammer and Hercules’ mace. Where the Germanic god Wodan was exclusively for the aristocracy, Donar was revered by all social classes. The same can be seen in classical antiquity, where Hercules was widely depicted and popular among all social classes.

Tacitus mentions in Germania that the Suebi worshiped Mercury (Odin), Hercules (Donar), and Mars (Týr). In his Annals, he mentions a forest dedicated to Hercules in northwest Germany. The Germans sang of Hercules as the foremost hero before going into battle. The god Hercules Magusanus in Germania Inferior may be connected to the Germanic god Þunraz.

The name Donar first appears on the Nordendorf fibulae from the Migration Period, with the inscription "Þonar" (Donar). Old English texts from the 8th century mention Thunor, the Saxon version of Donar, who is also associated with the Old English terms þunorrād ("thunder ride") and a fiery axe in the riddle text Solomon and Saturn.

A 9th-century codex from Mainz mentions the names Wodan, Saxnôte, and Thunaer (Donar), renounced as demons upon conversion to Christianity. In the 8th century, Boniface felled the Donar oak in Hesse, dedicated to Jupiter.

An 11th-century Kentish legend tells how a sheriff named Thunor was swallowed by the earth at þunores hlæwe ("Thunor's mound"), indicating the fading of Donar as the same god.

Maces from the Roman period, made from the 2nd to the 3rd century, were spread across the entire empire, including Roman Britain. They were usually crafted from gold and shaped like a wooden mace. A specimen from Cologne-Nippes bears the inscription "DEO HER[culi]", confirming the link with Hercules.

There were two main types of maces: a smaller type of about 3 cm, cast in molds, and a larger type of about 5 cm, made from sheet metal. A bronze votive club from Willingham Fen follows the Roman design but adds Celtic elements, such as animal heads, human figures, and a wheel (sun wheel) to the basic of the mace.

In the Migration Period, from the 5th to the 7th century, the amulet type quickly spread from the Elbe region throughout Europe. These Germanic Donar clubs were made from deer antler, bone, or wood, and sometimes from bronze or precious metals. They were exclusively found in female graves and worn as pendants on a belt or ear.

During the 8th and 9th centuries, during the Christianization of Scandinavia, these amulets were replaced by the Thor's hammer, a symbol that became typical of the Viking Age.