Christopher Gadsden understood the importance of being armed to preserving freedom. However, he probably didn’t know much about the mythic serpent Jormungandr (or the ancient Viking book called the Havamal) when he designed the flag that bears his name.
That’s why it (meaning the original Gadsden Flag) bears a rattlesnake upon it, above the words DON’T TREAD ON ME instead of showcasing the “world serpent” of Norse myth like the new Viking Gadsden shirt from Anachrobellum. It’s anachronistic and a little moto, but the juxtaposition makes for a new and interesting take on the more commonly seen styles of Don’t Tread On Me shirt.
The Jormungandr themed Gadsden Flag was inspired by what you might consider “concealed carry” advice from the Havamal.
Consider the following:
Vápnum sínum skal-a maðr velli á
feti ganga framar,
því at óvíst er at vita,
nær verðr á vegum úti geirs of þörf guma.
That is Old Norse concealed carry advice from the Hávamál, a collection of wisdom and guidance from the days when a well-honed blade was, in addition to being a legit “assault weapon”, the height of personal protection. It’s the 38th stanza.
Away from his arms | in the open field
A man should fare not a foot;
For never he knows | when the need for a spear
Shall arise on the distant road.
Substitute gun for spear and that Havamal verse applies to the modern-day as well.
This is the latest design from Anachrobellum, a pro-gun apparel company from Oklahoma. It follows (and echoes) the most recent design in their “modern Viking” shirt series: Til Valhall 3.
The juxtaposed design (and the mix of contemporary and historical gear on other designs) makes sense when you consider the designing company’s name. The name Anachrobellum (www.anachrobellum.com) is a made-up combo of the Latin word for war (bellum) and the word anachronism.
Anachrobellum’ss designs usually involve a mix of armor and weaponry from historical warrior archetypes and modern armed professionals (q.v.).
Online at Anachrobellum.com.
