Wealth and Weal of the Land Landvættir

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the 4 landvættir of iceland obverse of icelandic 10 króna coin.


iceland protected 4 great guardians known 4 landvættir.


according saga of king olaf tryggvason in heimskringla, king harald bluetooth gormsson of denmark, intending invade iceland, had wizard send spirit out in form of whale scout out points of vulnerability. swimming westwards around northern coast, wizard saw hillsides , hollows full of landvættir, large , small. swam vopnafjörður, intending go ashore, great dragon came flying down valley toward him, followed many snakes, insects, , lizards, spitting poison @ him. went , continued around coast westward eyjafjörður, again swam inland. time met great bird, big wings touched hillsides on either side, many other birds large , small following it. retreating again , continuing west , south, swam breiðafjörður. there met huge bull, bellowing horribly, many landvættir following it. retreated again, continued south around reykjanes, , tried come ashore @ vikarsskeið, there encountered mountain giant (bergrisi), head higher hill-tops, iron staff in hand , followed many other giants (jötnar). continued along south coast saw else longship put in, nothing sands , wasteland , high waves crashing on shore.


the 4 landvættir regarded protectors of 4 quarters of iceland: dragon (dreki) in east, eagle or griffin (gammur) in north, bull (griðungur) in west, , giant (bergrisi) in south.


the 4 landvættir of iceland depicted on icelandic coat of arms , on obverse of icelandic króna coins.








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