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Ny Vestergade 10, Copenhagen 1471

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Tue - Sun10:00 - 17:00

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The power of amulets: Luck, fear, and magic

1st floor - Room 108

Amulets are humanity's eternal companions in war, love, and disasters. These magical items help us to ward off evil and attract the good.
Throughout all times and in all cultures, people have worn amulets. In the special exhibition 'The Power of Amulets', you can see a selection of amulets that people have worn, carried in their pockets, or given to those we hold dear.

1.

Strong as a bear and a shield against evil eyes

In our attempts to control fate, humans have worn amulets of various shapes and purposes. Roman priestesses placed phallic amulets under the generals' chariots to protect the horse and driver from evil. In the 19th century, a mother sewed a lucky coin into her young daughter's clothing. And today, some pirates from Nigeria wear amulets that are supposed to make them invulnerable.
"Humans seem to have a deep-seated need to cope with the intangible by reaching for magical forces."
Mette Boritz
,
Curator at the National Museum
2

Amulets with magical powers

Failures (Roman Empire 1-300 AD)
Info

The bronze amulets were worn as a protection against evil. According to the Roman author Pliny the Elder (circa 23-79 AD), the amulets were worn by both children and soldiers. He also recounts how Roman priestesses placed an image of a phallus under the generals' chariots before they participated in triumphal processions through the streets of Rome.

Kidney stones from Tapir (Brazil, 1944)
Info

Kidney stones from a tapir in a small bag bring luck during hunting.

Hairball from a lion's stomach (Uganda, before 1954)
Info

Strong and cunning as a lion. That will be the owner of this sphere. The sphere is made from a hairball from a lion's stomach.

Bodice with lucky coin (Denmark, 19th century)
"Djan-ga" wrestling suit (Mongolia, 1850-1937)
Info

"Djan-ga" necklace for a wrestler's costume with attached amulets and strips of cloth. The amulet in the necklace is given to the wrestler by high lamas (priests), and the cloth strips indicate the wrestler's victories.

Hand of Fatima (Algeria, before 1851)
Info

Fatima was the daughter of the prophet Muhammad, and in the Islamic world, the hand is a widespread amulet that can protect, for example, pregnant women, children, or a bride and groom.

Sky letter (Denmark, 19th century)
Info

Sky letters have been known in Denmark since the 17th century. They were used as amulets that protected their owner from various things. This letter protected the owner's house from thunderstorms.

Petrified snail shell (Indonesia, 1875-1927)
Info

Protects against magic

Iron Thor's hammer (950 - 1050 AD)
Children's amulet against the evil eye (Iran, before 1936)
Parchment strip (Ethiopia, 1967)

History is magical when we experience it together

Let yourself be enchanted by the Völva’s magical world and experience her prophecy about the end of the world — Ragnarok.
Visit The Viking Sorceress

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10:00 - 17:00

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  • Under 18 years old
    Free
  • Adult
    150 DKK
  • Group (10+ persons)
    135 DKK
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