Sköll & Hati: The Wolves Who Chase the Sun & Moon
Sköll and Hati are two of the most striking symbols in Norse mythology because they represent a chase that never ends — the eternal pursuit of the sun and moon. These wolves aren’t villains; they’re forces of momentum, inevitability, and cosmic timing. They remind us that some things in life move forward whether we’re ready or not, and that every cycle has a shadow side. In the myths, Sköll chases the sun while Hati hunts the moon, and at Ragnarök they finally catch their prey. There’s something powerful in that imagery: the idea that everything eventually reaches its turning point, and that endings are baked into the rhythm of the universe.
For tattoo clients, Sköll and Hati often symbolize the way we navigate our own cycles — growth and decline, light and dark, loss and renewal. Some people connect with one wolf more than the other. Others resonate with the duality itself, the balance of chasing something while being chased by something else. Visually, the wolf silhouettes moving across the sky, split sun-and-moon motifs, circular chase designs, or knotwork-inspired wolf forms all make beautiful tattoo compositions. These wolves aren’t just mythic creatures; they’re reminders that time moves, change comes, and every ending carves space for the next beginning.
Make it your own…
Here is an example of artwork Jon Poulson drew back in 2012. You can see Skol and Hati dancing beneath the sun and the moon phazes.
Sköll & Hati: The Wolves Who Create the Rhythm of the Sky
In Norse mythology, the sun and moon aren’t just celestial objects—they’re living forces chased across the sky by two wolves: Sköll and Hati. Their chase gives the sky movement, gives day and night rhythm, and eventually sets the stage for the end of the world.
But beyond the myth, Sköll and Hati carry a deeper human meaning.
They represent pursuit.
Cycles.
The things we chase and the things that chase us.
The light we run toward and the shadows that follow us through life.
For many people, tattoos of Sköll or Hati become symbols of:
Transformation
Emotional cycles
Healing
Shadow work
Personal growth
The relentless push forward
The parts of life we must eventually face
They’re not “good” or “bad.”
They’re inevitable.
Ever chasing…
Who Are Sköll and Hati?
According to the Eddas:
Sköll chases Sól, the sun.
Hati Hróðvitnisson chases Máni, the moon.
They race across the sky, creating:
Sunrise
Sunset
Day
Night
Eclipses
When one gets close, the sky darkens.
When they catch their prey at Ragnarök, the sun and moon disappear from the heavens.
But this cosmic chase isn’t about destruction.
It’s about movement.
Cycles.
Inevitable change.
The rhythm of existence.
Symbolism of Sköll & Hati in Norse Myth
Cycles
Day becomes night.
Light becomes darkness.
Everything changes.
Sköll and Hati embody that inevitability.
People drawn to them often feel deeply connected to:
Emotional cycles
Healing cycles
The process of growth
Life phases
Beginning again after loss
The Chase
Everyone has something they’re chasing:
purpose
identity
healing
clarity
wholeness
a new life
recovery
inner peace
Sköll and Hati both represent the journey toward something meaningful.
Shadow Work
Hati represents the darker pursuit—the moon’s domain:
intuition
shadow
subconscious
buried memories
emotional truth
People who choose Hati tattoos often have lived through profound inner work.
The Duality of Light & Dark
Sköll and Hati aren’t enemies of light—they’re part of its story.
Light only matters because darkness returns.
Darkness only matters because it eventually breaks into dawn.
Endings That Are Really New Beginnings
At Ragnarök, when the wolves finally catch the sun and moon, the world isn’t “over.”
It’s preparing to be reborn.
Many clients choose Sköll or Hati to mark the truth that sometimes:
“An ending was the only thing that could save me.”
Why People Get Sköll or Hati Tattoos
There’s almost always a personal story behind these wolves.
Clients who choose them usually resonate with one or more themes:
“I lived through darkness and found light again.”
“My healing is cyclical, not linear.”
“I’m chasing something better.”
“I’m embracing both sides of myself.”
“My shadow doesn’t scare me anymore.”
“I honor my highs and lows.”
“I’m accepting change instead of fighting it.”
These tattoos are powerful because they’re honest.
They’re not about perfection—they’re about the journey.
Design Approaches for Sköll & Hati Tattoos
There are endless ways to design these wolves, depending on your story and aesthetic.
Sun Wolf & Moon Wolf Pair
Sköll as the solar wolf.
Hati as the lunar wolf.
A mirrored or circular composition.
Perfect for chest, back, or upper arms.
Chasing the Sun or Moon
A single wolf running behind a sun disk or moon circle.
Lightweight, fast, symbolic.
Eclipse Motif
A wolf silhouette inside an eclipse.
Beautiful minimalist symbolism.
Knotwork Wolves
Wolves rendered in authentic Norse interlace—bold, ancient, textural.
Blackwork Wolves
High-contrast silhouettes or stylized wolf heads.
This is one of the most popular approaches today.
Sköll & Hati Combined with Runes
Common choices:
Sowilo (sun, success)
Laguz (intuition, emotion)
Eihwaz (death & rebirth)
Dagaz (breakthrough, transformation)
Wolf Pair on Each Shoulder
Sköll on one side, Hati on the other—balancing the wearer, embodying duality.
Circular Composition
Both wolves intertwined in a circle around a sun/moon split circle or a Vegvísir.
Ragnarök Scene
As part of a full saga sleeve or back piece, showing the wolves catching the sun and moon.
Best Placements
This symbolism works equally well for small pieces or large mythic projects.
Upper back
Across chest
Forearms (wolf on each side)
Rib panels
Thigh
Shoulder cap
Calf
Full sleeve integration
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Sources & Citations
Primary Sources
Poetic Edda, Völuspá — Sköll and Hati’s pursuit of the sun and moon
Gylfaginning, Snorri Sturluson — additional cosmology and wolf lore
Academic Works
Lindow, John — Norse Mythology
Simek, Rudolf — Dictionary of Northern Mythology
Orchard, Andy — Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend
Cultural Commentary
University of Iceland, Old Norse studies
Jackson Crawford, PhD — commentary on Norse cosmology
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Author Bio - Jon Poulson, Ancient Marks
Jon Poulson is the founder of Ancient Marks, and one of the few tattoo artists in North America specializing in historically grounded Norse, Celtic, and ancestral tattoo styles. With over 20 years of experience in this style, Jon creates custom story-driven designs rooted in authentic symbolism, cultural respect, and artistic excellence. Clients travel nationally for Nordic-inspired work, bind-runes, and large-scale, geometric inspired and Tribal style tattoos.
