Helm of Awe

The Helm of Awe or Helm of Terror (Icelandic: Ægishjálmur, Old Norse Œgishjalmr) is an object in Norse mythology relating to the hoard protected by the worm Fáfnir and subsequently the name of a modern Icelandic magical stave.

Völsunga saga
A physical object called the "Helm of Terror" is referenced as one item Sigurð takes from Fafnir's hoard after he slays him in Völsunga saga.

Reginsmál
In the prose of Reginsmál, Fáfnir is described as owning the helm and that all living creatures feared it.

Fáfnismál
The object is also discussed in Fáfnismál in the Poetic Edda, here translated as "Fear-helm":

In the next stanzas of the poem, Sigurð refers to the helm again:

Origin of the Stave
The first recorded appearance of the symbol came from the Galdrakver written in 1670 and recovered from the collection of Bishop Hannes Finnsson by Jón Árnason and rebound in 1865.

Link between the item and symbol
While it is debated whether the Helm of Awe may have been an actual helm, in Medieval sources, it never references a symbol such as that recorded in the modern period. The meaning of the word used to define the helm seemed to change as years went on, going from a physical object to a voracious trait of striking fear into one with a glance.