Offering bowls (Blótbolli)

Blótbolli and offering bowls in pagan rituals

In many European pagan traditions, offering bowls play a central role. These bowls – often made of ceramics, bronze, wood or metal – form the focal point of a ritual, as they are the place where the offering is gathered, blessed, or sacrificed. Within the Norse tradition, the terms hlautbolli or blotbolli are used for such bowls. They served not only to collect liquids but also to symbolically form a connection with sacred sources, ancestral earth, or ritual water.

Offerings often involve liquids that hold strong significance within Indo-European cultures. Mead, beer, wine, and milk play a special role in this. Milk, for instance, has a deep historical value: our ancestors' ability to digest milk was once a decisive advantage during their migration from the Eurasian steppes. Bringing a milk offering thus refers to gratitude towards the ancestors and life itself.

In antiquity, liquid offerings were also widely used. The Greeks and Romans poured wine, oil, or water on the ground to honor gods, while parts of animal sacrifices were placed in the fire so the smoke could rise to the divine. The remaining food was eaten together during a ritual meal, emphasizing the bond between humans and gods.

In modern paganism, hlautbolli and offering bowls are still used to give structure to rituals. They can serve as an offering place, a focal point of meditation, or a symbol of the connection between earth, water, and the divine. At Celtic WebMerchant, you will find replica offering bowl models based on archaeological finds from Scandinavia (Jellinge), Greece, and the Roman world – ideal for home altars, seasonal festivals, and rituals rooted in ancient traditions.