Tursaansydän

Tursaansydän (Finnish, literary "Heart of Tursas " ) or Mursunsydän (Finnish, literary "heart of the walrus ") is a historical symbol of Northern Europe. It was especially popular in Lapland and some assume that it was used in rituals of shamans. the symbol dates back to prehistoric times and includes the swastika.

The Tursaansydän was considered a good luck charm and protector against disease. Another function was in Finland, the benefits of Tursaansydän as an ornament on wooden furniture. During the 18th century, the simpler Swastika as decoration was more popular than the more complicated Tusaansydän.

It is believed that the Tursaansydän could be the image of a flying hammer and rotating the lightning of God ( Ukko in Finland or Thor in Scandinavia). Another theory is that it is the image of the heart of a creature like the Tursas or walrus. However, the Tursaansydän had many different meanings probably during the time.

Bibliography

• Ilmar Talve: Suomen kansankulttuuri (1989, 1990)
• Pieni tietosanakirja: Hakaristi

• Cross ( heraldry)