Honor Over Survival: A Day of Remembrance

On this day, we remember Eyvind Kinnrifi, a man who chose honor over survival. When King Olaf Tryggvason demanded his conversion, Eyvind refused. In response, Olaf tortured him to death, placing a metal brazier filled with burning coals on his belly. Even in his final moments, Eyvind remained steadfast. When asked why he would not submit, he answered, “Ek em einn andi”—translated from Old Norse as “I am a ghost” or “I am a spirit.”

Eyvind’s existence was woven with the old magic of the Sámi. His parents, unable to conceive, turned to ancient rituals for aid, and he was born of that sacred power. He lived and died upholding the old ways, refusing to bend under the weight of forced conversion.

King Olaf, who ruled Norway from 995 -1000 AD, was not seeking true converts—only submission. As the great-grandson of Harald Fairhair, Norway’s first king, his mission was not one of faith but of control. To resist him was to face death, yet to submit falsely might mean survival—and perhaps a chance to fight from within.

Eyvind’s choice was one of brutal clarity: die with honor or live as an oath-breaker. He stood at a crossroads where neither path was easy, much like a game of chess where every move comes at a cost. And yet, he made his choice.

The past holds the key to understanding the present and shaping the future. Today, we honor Eyvind Kinnrifi, who met his fate with unwavering resolve, a testament to the power of belief and the weight of one’s word.

Here are some questions to reflect on as we honor Eyvind Kinnrifi’s legacy:

What does honor mean to you? Is it something worth sacrificing for, or does its meaning shift depending on circumstances?

Would you have made the same choice as Eyvind? Would you have chosen death over betraying your beliefs, or would you have lived to fight another day?

Can resistance take different forms? Is open defiance the only way to stay true to one’s beliefs, or can survival and adaptation be acts of rebellion in themselves?

What lessons can we take from Eyvind’s story today? In a world where conformity is often rewarded, how can we embody the spirit of those who stood by their convictions?

Is it ever acceptable to compromise on deeply held values? When faced with power and oppression, where do we draw the line between strategy and surrender?

How does the past shape our present? What can stories like Eyvind’s teach us about cultural preservation, identity, and the choices we make in modern times?

What is the cost of standing alone? When society demands one path, what does it take to walk another, and what might we lose or gain in doing so?

May these questions serve as a guide for reflection, reminding us that the struggles of the past still echo in the present. 

Candle Recommendations: Viking Spirit, Valhalla, Odin Is With Us.