Door 22
22 Dec. 2018
Kings Chain, Byzantine bracelet
Kings chain - worn by Viking Kings. Unisex bracelet in all sizes.
This bracelet is put together link by link which is a time consuming processes. It is approximately 7 mm thick, and is connected with a lobster clasp. All parts are 100% quality 316L stainless steel that won't easily wear or tarnish, and will last longer than a lifetime with minimal care.
Length bracelet: Custom made for you!
The Kings chain pattern originally comes from the Byzantine culture, and was brought to Scandinavia by the Norsemen on their many journeys to Miklagard (Byzantium / Constantinople).
Shipping costs are calculated from both the size of the package and its weight.
The shipping costs for this item with standard priority mail (covered by the winner):
Within Norway: 26,- NOK
To Europe: 32,- NOK
To the rest of the world: 39,- NOK
Today's question:
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(the answer is found in the text below)
The quiz is now over. Please try today's door.
Painting from 1872; Åsgårdsreien by Peter Nicolai Arbo. Public domain.
Oskoreia
In previously advanced societies, summer and winter solstice were seen as days of extraordinary potential. Dimensional doors that were usually closed was now opened.
The night of winter solstice, the start of Jól, was ruled by supernatural creatures; and many places it was believed that the dead came back to their previous homes to celebrate the holiday. Often the Norsemen left their dinner tables with all the plates and left overs so that the dead could help themselves, and bless the household. They even left their beds to the dead, to assure that they would avoid accidents and starvation the coming year.
Trolls, witches, imps, Lussi and anything evil and dangerous was out at this night, and most feared of them all was the Oskoreia (often written as Åsgårdsreia/Åsgårdsreien/Julereia) - a crowd of wretched souls who couldn't get peace and who forever had to chase around. According to the folklore the Oskorei was a dreadful sight. Up to 30 ring shod horses could be included in the party, and the crowd always made a terrible racket with lots of noise.
Some stories tell about people who have been taken far away from their homes after being on a ride through the air, and dropped off at a strange place. Horses could also be taken away and ridden to exhaustion by Oskoreia. They were found foamy and trembling on the stable the following day.
A good defense against Oskoreia - and other supernatural creatures - was the cross symbol (equal arms cross). Putting a cross at all the doors in the outhouse and farmhouse with tar, coal, chalk or blood from the slaughter, was one of the last tasks for the householder the night of winter Solstice. Tools and animals were marked in the same way.
To make an extra effort, there were many who placed axes, knives, or scissors over the doors. And later; a gun over the living room door was also a good guard against the wretched souls. To ensure the drinking water was not tempered with by the Oskorei, it helped to throw steel into the well.
This was a custom that lasted until the late 1800s.
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2018 (C) Lisbeth M. Sandvik
