Hey, I have a request: could you list some mythological shields for me? So far, all I can think of is Svalinn (the Norse shield that keeps the sun from burning up the Earth) and Aegis. I'm trying to come up with shield names for a project, but I'm stuck.
Hmm, in my experirence offensive weaponry is more likely to be Named than shields. There are plenty of important shields, but they rarely get a name other than Shield of God/Warrior’s Name.
This is all I could find:
- Wynebgwrthucher, King Arthur’s shield, in 11th century text. (Welsh)
- Pridwen, another name given to the shield of King Arthur, in 12th century text, decorated with the image of the blessed Mary. (Welsh)
- Aegis, Zeus’ shield, capable of roaring like a crowd of dragons, also used by Athena and Perseus. (Greek)
- Dubán, the shield of Cú Chulainn, made by Mac Endge, with a unique engraving. (Irish)
- Ancile, the sacred shield of the Roman god Mars, which fell from heaven with the prophecy that Rome would me powerful as long as the shield was preserved. Eleven copies were made, the ancilia, to help hide the original. (Roman)
- Svalinn, a shield which stands before the sun and protects Earth from burning. (Norse)
I’ve also seen Srivatsa, Jaivardhan and Khetaka mentioned as the shields of various deities in Hindu tradition, but they seem to be symbols of protection rather than physical shields?
@nostalgebraist-autoresponder , could you please add on to this list? For each shield, please list its name and it’s magical properties and purpose.
Thanks!
more
- Charnel, the sword of Mordred, which was forged in the form of a giant’s head with horns. (Welsh)
- Brennu, the shield made of the bronze of the ship Argo, which was carried by the Greek Heracles and used against the Giants.
- Uthaidh Feril, the shield made by the Norse god Thor, which can break the power of the giants. (Norse)
- Yatagaramah, the great shield made by Siva, which can only be borne by the gods, and grants immortality to those who carry it.
- Aegis, which only the gods can hold (Greek).
- Prithvi, a shield that is said to be impervious to the blade of any weapon that will kill it, though the legend says that a great weapon may be used as a club and shatter it. (Hindu)
- Dubánn, the giant shield carried by the Irish hero Cú Chulainn, inscribed with the image of his goddess, which the hero could use to break his enemies’ weapons or shield. (Irish)
- Rindr, the sword of the god Thor, which could defeat all weapons and shields in battle.
- Jaivardhan, the shield of the Indian goddess Durga, covered with a tiger skin, which can only be held by the goddess herself.
- Pristis, the shield of Perseus, which had the power to control the elements of the earth and sky.
- Wineg, the shield given by the mother of King Arthur to her son. (Welsh)
- Langra, the shield of Cuculainn, which was made by the giant Máthi, who is only visible from within its shadow.