The Pagan Symbolism of the Shield Knot

The shield knot has four corners that are loops on the four corners of a square without interruption of the lines. It is a universal symbol for protection and dates back thousands of years.

The most frequently seen designs are associated with the ancient Celts and the Norse. There are numerous emblems resembling hieroglyphics, and the shield knot along with many other emblems can be found on Old Norse homesteads.

The four fold loop design is Mesopotamic and concerns invoking the gods of the four corners of the earth. The Shama, a prayer/spell from the Kabala is used to invoke the four archangels.

This is the "Quabbalistic Cross" ritual still used today in Pagan worship. The shield knot is sometimes referred to as the "Earth Square" or St. Hans Cross.

In the Pagan community, final intent of rituals is everything. As are most ritualistic functions, the Quabbalistic Cross has visible and invisible "sides".

In an integral part of Catholicism, the "QC" represents "Spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch". However, it seems pagans are not entirely certain this is the way Catholicism views the QC.

The Quabbalistic Cross is designed to repel negative energy, according to the pagan website sourced for this article. It also repels physical concerns, while drawing in the pure light of divinity and allows you to focus on the task at hand. It is simply used in rituals as a convenient means of cleansing and releasing an individual's energies.

To invoke is used to change the elemental quarters; banishing is used to discharge and cleanse these quarters. Wiccan traditions, with minor variations, have routinely used these rituals.

In Nordic countries, road signs display the shield knot or St. Hans Cross as a symbol. It is used to indicate signs of tourist interest and is in the shape of an abstract cloverleaf.

In the early 1960's, the Nordic road commission was endeavoring to standardize road signs. They were unable to reach a decision on tourist road signs.

During lunch, one of the members was looking around the restaurant while awaiting his order, and he noticed the shield knot incorporated in the tile on the floor. He pointed out the shield knot to the other members and suggested they use that as a symbol. The others heartily agreed, with the exception of Denmark.

The use of the symbol was adopted by Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Denmark declined.

St. Hans Cross is an historic symbol, used in Roman and Byzantine architecture. In Sweden, the sign supposedly protected cattle against evil spirits and witches. In Norway, it was used as a house mark on buildings.

The symmetric harmony of the symbol has given it positive associations It is suitable to placate tourists by appearing on road signs where they can enjoy a place of natural beauty.

Sources:

tiehallinto.fi/servlet/page?-pageid=71&_dad=Julia&_schema=.PORTAL30&member=4931&p

goole.com/serarch?q=Quabbalistic+Cross&rls=com.microsoft.en-us:IE-searchbox&ie=utf

altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/symbols/bldefsshieldknot.htm