Nithing pole

A Nithing pole, according to ancient Scandinavian and Germanic pagan beliefs, was a kind of pole used for cursing enemies. 
The way of cursing was supposed to be, to cut a horse's head from its body, and put it on top of the pole. Cursing words were carved into the wood, too. This was done to stop the soul of a cowardly person, or "Nithing". Also, the terrible shame of the coward was called "Nith".