The Vegvísir, as we see it in our earliest existing source (the Huld Manuscript of 1860, an Icelandic collection of spells and protective runes), is literally a “way finder”, or a “path guide”. It is considered to be one of several protective charmed staves. Users were advised: “If this sign is carried, one will never lose one’s way in storms or bad weather, even when the way is not known.”

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The shape of the runes which compose it may suggest that the sigil was written in a modified Danish Furhtak, so perhaps as early as the 1600's.

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Although it lends itself to esoteric rune & mystical interpretation (not to mention countless tattoos, jewelry designs and other decorative elements), we simply do not have enough information that can corroborate much of its use. It is, however, probable that the runes used in the sigil were included for their specific meaning as protective symbols.

 

The Vegvísir’s original shape in our sources is square, and only later adaptations made it fit into a circle. There is nothing to suggest that the Vegvísir was used as a compass in the modern sense.

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The Vikings used different methods in order to navigate the seas. But it would indeed make for a wonderful addition to Viking lore if we found some magical way-finding sigil from the first millennium!