There are three components. Top to bottom:

1. Aegishjalmer, a protection sigil
2. Yggdrasil, the worlds tree
3. Jörmungandr, the world serpent

Givens, by Viking mythology:

• Yggrassil holds the worlds together
• Jörmungandr is biting its own tail; if it releases, it is an indicator of a coming Ragnarök (drowning of the world)

Tattoo key points:

• Yggrassil is on fire
• A jailed Jörmungandr is at its roots

The rest is left to the reader.