Troll cross

In Sweden, as well as Norway, a trollkors or troll cross is a bent piece of iron worn as an amulet to ward off malevolent magic. Although commonly thought of as a part of Swedish folklore, it was first created—as an item of jewelry—by the smith Kari Erlands from western Dalarna, sometime in the late 1990s. It was claimed to have been a copy of a protective rune found at her parents' farm, but this has not been verified. However, it does bear some resemblance to the othala rune in the Elder Futhark.

A troll cross amulet

Footnotes

References

• Ebbe Schön (2001). Folktro från förr. Carlssons. ISBN 9172034203.
• Rosalind Franklin (2005). Baby Lore: Superstitions And Old Wives Tales from the World Over Related to Pregnancy, Birth & Baby Care. Diggory Press. p. 153. ISBN 978-0-9515655-4-4. Retrieved 16 February 2013.