The inscription depicts two scenes under an arching runic text band. The lower panel contains three figures, holding a spear, a hammer or club, and a sickle. Because the weapon of Odin was the spear Gungnir, that of Thor the hammer Mjöllnir, and Freyr is identified with farming, the figures have been identified as these three gods.[2] They are depicted wearing typical Viking Age clothing, including a cloak known as a hekla and a tasseled conical cap called a skott-húfa.[3] The upper scene also has three figures, which are considered to be the same gods; a large bird that may be a crane or goose is shown bending its head over the figure identified as Freyr.[4] Its meaning is not understood.
Some authorities have cited the runestone as evidence that Odin, Thor, and Freyr formed a divine Norse triad or trinity.[4] The proposition of this divine triad comes from theories of comparative religion and descriptions and depictions of these gods.[5] Other evidence for such a triad includes Adam of Bremen's description of the Temple at Uppsala as containing statues of these gods.[6] These three are also the only Norse gods known to have been actively worshipped during the Viking Age.[7]
The runic inscription is carved in the younger futhark and consists of three personal names. Björn (Old Norse Bjǫrn) was a common name meaning "bear"; Gunnbjǫrn translates as "Battle Bear"[8] and Farbjǫrn may mean "Far Traveling Bear".
Inscription
The second line is a transliteration of the runes; the third is transcription into Old Norse.
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