Full Sleeve Tattoo Design
The Cycle of Ragnarök — Order Arising from Chaos
Collaborative design by Connor Benson & Jonas Lau Markussen
This sleeve design explores the cyclical nature of Ragnarök — the destruction and rebirth that defines Nordic cosmology.
Erik’s brief called for a piece centered on the cycle of Ragnarök, emphasizing order arising from chaos rather than the war itself. He requested a wolf that looked distinctly lupine and gave us full creative freedom to interpret the mythic narrative through ornamental design and runic symbolism.
Process
Jonas created the initial sketch of the wolf and the tree, defining the flow of movement and the overall composition.
Concept
The final composition unites mythological and symbolic elements into a single flowing design:
- The Wolf (Fenrir) — embodiment of chaos and destruction, symbolizing the inevitable forces that unmake the old world.
- The Tree (Yggdrasil / New Hope) — sprouting anew after destruction, representing rebirth and continuity.
- The God Mask — an ambiguous face that may evoke Odin, but intentionally stripped of his defining features, reflecting the human aspect of sacrifice and wisdom.
- Bindrune Staff — designed by Connor and Erik together, combining runes that represent transformation, endurance, wisdom, and cyclical rebirth.
- Bindrune Wheel — The Sacrifice of Odin — a motif from Connor’s earlier design, inspired by Hávamál stanzas 138–139: Odin’s nine nights of hanging from Yggdrasil in his quest for wisdom.
These elements together express a philosophical narrative rather than a literal retelling — tragedy, transformation, and the emergence of new order.
Final Design
Connor developed the final tattoo-ready design, refining the linework and incorporating Erik’s chosen runes and motifs.
The Bindrune Staff
Each rune was personally chosen by Erik to align with his vision for the piece:
- ᚺ Hagalaz – destruction leading to transformation
- ᛋ Sōwilō – the sun; guidance, vitality, and achievement
- ᛈ Perðō – mystery, fate, and the hidden cycles of life
- ᛃ Jēra – cyclical development, fertility, renewal
- ᚨ Ansuz – wisdom and sacrifice
- ᚢ Ūruz – endurance, willpower, life force
- ᛏ Tiwaz – Tyr’s self-sacrifice; courage and justice
The Bindrune Wheel
The Bindrune honors Odin’s self-sacrifice upon Yggdrasil — his nine nights hanging from the world tree, pierced by Gungnir, offering himself to himself for the knowledge of the runes.
A symbol of divine madness and devotion, it embodies the pursuit of wisdom through suffering, endurance, and transformation.
The bindrune weaves together runes chosen to reflect that mythic ordeal:
- ᚨ Ansuz — Odin’s rune; divine speech, wisdom, revelation.
- ᚷ Gebo — the gift; Odin’s self-offering and the reciprocity of sacrifice.
- ᚾ Nauthiz — necessity and suffering; the hardship endured during his hanging.
- ᛇ Eihwaz — the yew; resilience, death, and rebirth through endurance.
The collaboration represents exactly what Gelmir Studio aims to do — merging deep mythological symbolism with authentic Viking art language in a living, evolving form.
Tattoo Design: Jonas Lau Markussen & Connor Benson
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