sólvörnsteinn

Sólvörnsteinn, literally meaning "sun protection stone" in Icelandic, is a term used in folklore, mythology, and contemporary fantasy to refer to a stone believed to shield its bearer from the sun or intense light. The name is a compound of sól (sun), vörn (protection or ward), and steinn (stone).

In traditional tales, the sólvörnsteinn is described as a rare artifact found in glacial caves or atop high volcanic knolls, sometimes linked to ancient navigators or seers. Descriptions vary: some say it glows faintly at dawn; others claim it casts a cool shadow around the wearer or reduces glare when placed in a window. Its purported powers are symbolic, connected to solar cycles and the Icelandic environment with periods of the midnight sun and strong daylight in summer.

In modern usage, the term appears in literature, role-playing games, and jewelry lines inspired by Norse and Icelandic imagery. There is no scientific evidence for any physical properties beyond symbolism. The sólvörnsteinn serves as a cultural motif illustrating human attempts to cope with light and glare in high-latitude environments and to personify protection against the sun in myth and art.