Shaman Ring Black Tee

Yellow print of the Old-Norse blazon on right sleeve and "Shaman Ring" design on front.

The Shaman Ring is an ancient design found in Bronze Age rock carvings from Northernand Eastern Europe to Central Asia. At its center lies a Trojaborg, a winding labyrinth pattern known from stone constructions across Northern Europe, with ca 300 recorded in Sweden alone. The Trojaborg represents a single path journey inward and outward, often used in ritual or symbolic acts of passage and protection.

Surrounding the labyrinth are figures with radiant heads. These are thought to be either sun deities or shamans in trance. They appear in petroglyphs from regions such as the Tamgaly Gorge in Kazakhstan, but also in the Americas and are shown with rays or circles around their heads, suggesting a connection to the sun or spiritual power. Their presence marks them as beings that move between worlds, human and divine, earth and sky.

At the feet if the figures are lines like petals or flames, forming floral sunrays. These radiate outward from the Trojaborg, tying the earthly center to the wider cosmos. This part of the design may echo the sunwheel, a simple solar symbol found in many ancient cultures. The petals suggest growth, light, and the cycle of seasons.

Together, the elements of the Shaman Ring reflect the world-view of early people. The labyrinth stands for the journey of life or the soul. The radiant figures show the role of the shaman or divine guide. The floral sunrays connect everything to the sun, the source of life and order. This design is not just decoration. It is a map of belief, a visual prayer for balance between earth, sky, and spirit. The Shaman Ring reminds us that for early cultures, art and meaning were one and the same.

Original design by Kai Uwe Faust.
Printed in France.