Round Shield with Wolves of the Sun and Moon

This type of shield was used across Europe, from the lands of the Franks to Rus, and from the Scandinavian territories to Byzantium, spanning a wide time period from the 6th to the early 11th centuries.

Diameter: 76 cm

Material: Plywood, 8 mm thickness

Umbo: 2 mm thickness, 12 cm internal diameter, 5.5 cm height

Rim: Leather edging

Shield surface: High-strength fabric covering

Decoration: Artistic Painting

Inner side: Imitation of planks with stain coloring

Shoulder strap: Leather with buckle

The design features two wolves, representing the myth of Sköll and Hati, who in the Northern Apocalypse, called Ragnarök, will devour the Sun and the Moon, signaling the release of Fenrir and the beginning of the battle between the gods.

Sköll chases the Sun across the sky, while Hati pursues the Moon at night. According to the myth, they are the children of Fenrir, born by a giantess witch in the Iron Forest.

It is said that these wolves are destined to devour the celestial bodies. In doing so, they maintain the celestial rhythm, preventing disruptions in the appearance of the Sun and Moon in the sky.

If the Sun or Moon forgets their path, the wolves chase them, causing solar and lunar eclipses.