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>>/140707/ New marking on Russian military equipment, Rune of Gungnir, Odin's Sword [13:35] Rune of Gungnir, Odin's Sword "It might be that the name paints a vivid picture of a weapon that’s alive, almost sentient, resonating with the energy of the cosmos. This could suggest the spear’s impeccable accuracy, always hitting its target. Additionally, it might convey the powerful tremors it imparts to its wielder and those brave enough to confront it." https://vikingr.org/norse-gods-goddesses/gungnir Historian H.R. Ellis Davidson ably summarizes the social importance of the sword in Viking society: The sword was closely associated with much of what was most significant in a man’s life – family ties, loyalty to his lord, the duties of a king, the excitement of battle, the attainment of manhood, and the last funeral rites. It was something from which its owner was never parted throughout his life, from the moment he had received it and had the right to wear it. He carried it in the king’s hall and at law meetings, although on such occasions it was forbidden to draw it, and it might be fastened down in the scabbard. At night it hung above his bed, as we know from Beowulf and the Icelandic sagas. A sudden attack often came at night, and to lose hold of one’s sword, as King Aethelstan discovered, was a terrifying experience… It was indeed, as is said in one of the Anglo-Saxon riddles, the prince’s “shoulder-companion,” his close friend ever at his side, and the “warrior’s comrade.” Small wonder that Bersi the Dueller, famous swordsman and poet of the tenth century, declared that if he could no longer wield his sword, his life held nothing more for him… For a man who could no longer rely upon his sword had become a nonentity, a helpless figure relying on others for the protection of life, property, and reputation. The time had come to hand over the guardianship of the family, with the sword, to his descendants. Ibid. p. 160. https://norse-mythology.org/viking-weapons-and-armor-swords-axes-spears-etc/