Show your love for man’s best friend or the spirit of the wild with this striking Celtic wolf or dog silvertone pendant. A ferocious canine is beautifully carved with intricate knot work. Antiqued silvertone zinc alloy (nickel free). Pendant measures approximately 1” wide x 1.75” tall
For your pendant, you may select either a 17.5” silvertone snake chain with 3” extender chain, an 18” silvertone cable chain, or an 18” or 20” leather cord necklace with lobster clasp and 2” extender chain. (2MM round black leather cord with silvertone findings.)
Wolves have also fascinated men since the early days because they look so similar to dogs – man’s best friend. They are closely linked to light, sun, moon, and spirit. Wolves also guide the dead and are closely linked to Hades – the God of the underworld.
In Celtic symbolism and mythology, the wolf is seen as a symbol of a valiant warrior. The Wolf head symbol is a familiar image in heroic poetry and saga as well as a basis for providing personal names.
The wolf also symbolizes an outlaw that preys on the society but also as a warrior that hides in the forest, waiting for an opportunity to carry out deeds of vengeance. Celebrated Celt hero Sigmund and his son Sinfjotli both hid in the forests under wolfskin using the voice of wolves preparing to avenge dead kinsmen on the King Siggeir.
In many Irish/Welsh myths, the wolf is usually a helper and a guide. We also find myths of deities in wolf form, like the goddess Morrigana appearing in wolf form, but was defeated by the hero Cú Chulainn - the 'Hound [or Wolf?] of Cuainn' (cf. The Táin).
Scandinavian berserkers howled like wolves. It is estimated that there may have once been a Celtic wolf-totem God of the dead. The Romans were also associated with wolves; Romulus and Remus, the twin brothers who are said to have founded Rome were supposedly nursed by a she-wolf.
In Viking/Norse mythology, Fenrir was a Norse wolf, whom Odin brought to Asgard, the home of the gods, hoping that he might eventually tame him. Fenrir, however, grew stronger and fiercer each day, until the gods had to shackle him with the strongest of chains. Fenrir succeeded in breaking each and every chain. Finally, he was restrained by a magical cord woven by dwarves.
The wolf is often mentioned directly in the Bible. In Christian history/myth, The Wolf at the Gate narrates the story of Saint Francis Assisi and how he saved the people of Gubbio from wolf menace. A wolf that had been doing great damage to the city of Gubbio was being hunted by the people of Gubbio. When St. Francis encountered the wolf, he addressed it as Brother Wolf and protected the creature, reforming it. St Francis, fondly known as the Beggar King, helps the ferocious wolf understand the fact that all life is worth preserving and that loving kindness is the greatest of all gifts. The simple story evokes profound and fundamental themes like survival, war, hunger, violence, law, justice, fear, greed, and predation. This becomes a spiritually symbolic parable that shows the power of community and the dazzling force of love.