Motto in Old Norse
According to a definition, motto is a short expression of a guiding principle. Mottoes in ancient languages have always been popular, since they express such principles with authority and wisdom of the ancients. User friendly interface below helps to create online mottoes in Old Norse, the language of the vikings. Catchy phrases that can be created using this tool may be also interpreted as viking slogans or even battle cries. Such a motto would adorn a weapon as an inscription or shock enemies when shouted during a reenactment of a viking battle. For a more detailed introduction visit this post. Feedback is welcome.
2. (noun) is (noun) to (noun) E.g.: man is wolf to man
3. from (noun), (noun) E.g.: from suffering , wisdom
4. (noun) (verb) E.g.: time flies
5. (noun) is in (noun) E.g.: gladness is in battle
Based on the Latin motto generator, with the author’s kind permission.
Waiver of Liability
Keep in mind that computer generated texts should be used with caution for any permanent use like tattoos or engravings. This tool is provided “as is”, without warranty of any kind.
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
First off thank you for maintaining this site. I, like many others here, am of Scandinavian decent (Norwegian) and have found an identity in reconnecting with my heritage. I have been trying to learn Norwegian for a little while now and recently stumbled over the Havamal… Of course I can only understand the English version so far, but I am interested in finding on old Norse, or original, translation of a certain “verse”…
The coward believes he will live forever
If he holds back in the battle,
But in old age he shall have no peace
Though spears have spared his limbs.
If you can point me in the right direction I would be incredibly appreciative.
Ósnjallr maðr
hyggsk munu ey lifa,
ef hann við víg varask;
en elli gefr
hánum engi frið,
þótt hánum geirar gefi.
I´m looking for mottos that I want to engrave in some viking-jewelry that I´m making. I stumbled upon the quote “Live free or die”/”Live free or die in battle” by general John Stark, which is very close to what I´m looking for. I thought it would be nice though, if I could find something similar in viking sources. Do you by any chance know of any viking sayings that resembles that? (If translated into old norse it would be “Lifa frjáls (or) deyja í bardagi”, correct?) I´ve also been trying to translate the english sentence “freedom or death/war” into old norse with various online translation tools, but it seems that either the vikings didn´t have the word freedom, or it doesn´t translate in those online translation tools. The closest I get is “sjálfraðr (or) bardagi” and I cant even seem to find the word “or” in old norse. I thought the verse that you posted for Evan was great, and I could imagine using that as well, but when I try to translate it into runes with this sites translation tool, something seems to go wrong. I noticed that the word þótt becomes just two Tyr-runes. Maybe the translation tool preferes english letters only? so þótt becomes thott and soforth, ð is dh, æ is ae, two l´s are just one, et.c.?
And also: I would like to give the verse a little twist so that instead of “but in old age he shall have no peace” it would be “but in slavery he shall have no peace”. “en thrael gefr”=”but in slavery”?
Its a lot, I know, but I would be most thankful if you could help me out, and if you´d like I could return the favor by sending you a piece of the end result, its going to be a kick-ass piece..
did you manage to get translation fpr Live free or die ? if you did could you let me know what it is ?
As Icelandic is pretty close still today to Old Norse you could start there.
“live free or die” is directly translated to “Lifðu frjáls eða deyðu”
“live free or die in battle” is directly translated to ” Lifðu frjáls eða deyðu í bardaga”
(or = eða)
Hi,
I am researching my family history and I am hoping to prove that my family name is an anglicised version of a scandinavian family name. I am also into historice re-enactor and you’re website has provided so much useful information. We are trying to create a banner for our group and develop a motto. I personally like Fortis et Liber which translated means strong and free, unfortunately I couldn’t find these words above, any help you could offer in translating this into a motto would be appreciated
Regards
Mike
I’ve been attempting to translate “brothers in arms” or “brothers in war” into Old Norse, but I don’t have any idea of the proper structuring. Any chance you would have a correct translation,
much appreciated,
Ivan
In Icelandic “Brothers in arms” is directly translated to “Vopnabræður”
Vopn = arms (a) Bræður =Brothers (or Veapons+brothers)
“Brothers in war” is directly translated to “Stríðsbræður”
Stríð = war + Bræður = brothers.
Hi! I’ve been wanting to get a tattoo. Serving in the military, I feel that something in runes and in Old Norse would be rather fitting. I was thinking a quote from the Eddas pertaining to duty or bravery would be perfect, however I don’t know the first place to start in regards to finding the Old Norse translation when I do find a quote I find suitable, then having it written in Futhark as it would’ve been written a thousand years ago.
Pleast help!
-Anthony
What of this one (been trying for AGES to get a translation on ALL SORTS of websites):-
“The impossible we do overnight; miracles take a bit longer.”
(It’s not so much a battle motto, more a skald or sorceror’s motto!)
ANY OFFERS?
- Jeff
Hey i have been trying to use these translators to get the full correct translation of the phrase (from a game)
“For Russ, For the Allfather, For the wolftime”
also i was wondering if there was a possibility of getting key words like Wolf or Wulfen (a wolf human hybrid) or King (for russ) in a single of a few Runes and any resources to learn how to prenounce them!
-Rob
PS this site is awesome!
Im looking for a place on the net where i can translate whole sentances accurately without having the massive trouble.
Could you direct me to a good page to do that?
I already know how to write it out in Runes but thats not quite what im looking for. More like “Ástar firnaskyli engi maðrannan aldregi”
Because im hopelssly lost on where to look.
If you could help me with a solution to my delema that would be wonderful!
Cheers
Tc
Hi, a friend of mine gave me a ring with runes inscribed in them, he never told me what they meant, and I was looking for some help translating the message, but all i got was a bunch of words that made no sense. How can I get it translated?
Yes I am trying to translate “he who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being man” into old norse which isnt working out to well and then I want to turn it into a tattoo with the Elder Futhark, is there anyway you can help me with this?
I was just wondering if anyone would be willing to help me fin a translation of the phrase,
“to he who purges fear and plants truth, lies a seat in the halls of valhalla”
or knows a good norse phrase or motto involving truth and courage
Hey, I was just wondering if anybody could help me translate “First in, Last out” into Old Norse? I’ve tried looking for the individual words as I can’t find phrases, but I can’t seem to find “in” or “out”. This is one of my favourite mottoes, and I would love to have it in Old Norse as part of a larger tattoo on my arm. Thanks in advance for the help :)
“First in, Last out” in Icelandic is “Fyrstur inn, síðastur út”
In = inn, Out = út.
Do you have a bind rune generator? I would like to find a way to creatively do my magickal name in a bind rune.
Thanks very much for this site. It’s awesome!
OK, how do I translate: go with the flow? That is the mantra of the day I was born upon, which I feel really applies to my life.
Oh, and also, perhaps you might know something about this:
I am really into the Mayan 260 day Lunar calendar (similar to the Aztec calendar). Jose Arguelles, who wrote a recent bunch of books on the topic, talked about indigenous cultures all over the world having their own Lunar calendar. Among them, he mentioned the Swedes, saying they had their own 13 day, 20 cycle (260 day) Lunar calendar. I have never been able to locate this? I would like one on my wall, since I follow the Lunar calendar, I would rather have one that related to my own heritage. Please let me know anything you may know about this! Anyone! Thank you!
Koffer skriver alle på engelsk her?
ingen nordmenn her inne?
@Tor Erik
Klart här finns ;)
A traditional Norse epic poem is coming out in May, you can find more information here: http://www.bunkerhillpublishing.com/2011/02/21/a-dream-of-dragons/
af ást er kvöl
From love, suffering. :D
been trying to translate live free or die in battle , into old norse aswell , could any translate please ! cheers
Cant find anywhere online to accurately translate english to old nordic! Anybody got advice?
I’m trying to find out if my last name is actually Norse like I was told. I was told it meant” fair weathered sailor”, Summerlini was the spelling I received. Is this true do you know,and is that it’s meaning?
Hello, fellow vikings,
I’m from Normandie, France ; Danes became my ancestors and we then conquered England, etc.
Well I’d like to know which rune is more suitable to render the letter/sound “ð”, like in “blóð” for example.
Elder futhark would be Berkana-Laguz-Odhinn-Dagaz/THurisaz ??
yet Younger Futhark does no longer have runes for the “ó” and the “ð”, even though the word itself existed at the time.
“Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope”, since I can’t afford to hang myself upside down for nine days to get the answer…
PS : GREAT SITE !!
I have always felt a connection to my Viking heritage it is cool that this sight exists.
ást ríkir
I am a proud viking decedent and I have two requests. the first is a translation of a family motto which in English is “Forever, For Always, and No Matter What.” the other request is where can I find a reliable source to learn to speak Norwegian.
I wanted something to go with a tattoo to show my viking roots x
any chance anyone could translate ONE LIFE to old norse for me???
I want to say : Give me truth
I know from your generator that truth is sannleiki. But the give me command seems way more complicated to figure out. Any help?
Hello!
Sorry to make another request for translation, but I am struggling with this one.
I am building a guitar right now, and I wish to engrave something on it,
I would very much appreciate a translation of “Come back home, you’ve no need to say goodbye”.
Thanks for reading this, If you can’t translate it, that’s fine.
Thanks for the great website!
any chance someone could translate this phrase to old east norse for me please?
“the only light in darkness is heroism”
thank you
Hi, thank you very much for this site! It’s so helpful, unlike other sites. Anyway, I was curious as to if you could translate something into old norse for me, and also how and where you learned old norse. Cheers, and here’s the quote;
“We will always return home.”
Cheers again.