This blanket was designed for my friend who is into Norse Mythology. He has tattoos representing Odin and Thor on his arms, and the baby to be’s name will be Alrek (the famous King). I won’t go too far into the meaning of all the symbols, but the Valknut was one of Odin’s and it was placed on shields. It was often associated with the ancestors and death, but in the notion that the warriors would be protected no matter what befell them. In later times it became associated with rebirth and reincarnation, but always remained a strong symbol of the strength of ones’ ancestors and of protection. The Runes of course are the sacred alphabet, and they too tell the story of life, death, and rebirth.