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The Vikings were a group of warriors from Scandinavian countries like Norway, Denmark and Sweden who, between 700 and 1100 AD (period known as the Viking Age) had the goal of invading Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic. They were known for their gifts of sailors and navigators. The name Viking comes from a language called "old Nordic" and would mean "pirate raid". The Vikings sailed on long boats called drakkars and plundered the coasts of Britain and northwestern France for centuries.
Did the Vikings wear tattoos?
According to the story, the Vikings were covered with tattoos ranging from the fingertips to the nape of the neck. These tattoos represented ancient Nordic symbols, different patterns of knots, or symbols of dark green trees. Nobody can really confirm what kind of symbols or motifs were used for these tattoos, but it is likely that they represented symbols from Norse mythology and old drawings similar to those found on Viking jewels. or carved on bones, boats or other artifacts.
9 Vikings tattoos and their meanings
1. Fear Helmet Tattoo (Aegishjalmur)
The helmet of fear is also known as Aegishjalmur (Ægishjálmr). The drawing of this symbol has eight armed pikes that start from a central point. This symbol represents protection and superpowers.
Many Vikings warriors carried this symbol to go to war, because they thought he would protect them and give them the courage to defeat all the enemies they would fight.
2. Tattoo of Valknut
The Valknut is formed of three intertwined triangles with the point directed upwards. In a large number of representations, this sign appeared near Odin, which made him the symbol of this God. Many ancient Vikings thought that the Valknut represented Odin's welcome to the warriors arriving at Valhalla, the place reserved for brave Asgard.
In our society, the sign of Valknut has become very popular in jewelry designs, artifacts and tattoos. Many who wear this sign think that they will receive help from Odin to overcome the difficulties of life.
3. Yggdrasil tattoo
Yggdrasil was the Great Tree of Norse mythology. This ash tree was considered the Tree of Life that controlled the Nine Worlds and connected everything in the universe.
The symbol of Yggdrasil represented absolute power, deep knowledge, and mystical deity.
4. Hammer tattoo of Thor
Thor's hammer was called Mjölnir. In Nordic mythology, this powerful hammer provoked such respect that no other weapon could be compared. This hammer was associated with lightning, thunder and storm.
For the common Vikings and the warriors, this hammer was very important because Mjölnir was the symbol of Thor – the most powerful of the gods and the one with the best heart. The Vikings wore this amulet in battles and daily life.
This symbol gave them power, courage and generosity. (See hammer tattoos Mjölnir)
5. Tattoo of Ouroboros
The ouroboros is a symbol of a snake biting its tail. As "Oura" means tail and "Robos" means to eat, the meaning of the word could be: "The one who eats his own tail". If you have some Nordic knowledge, you certainly know that this symbol was that of Jormungandr, the northern snake of Midgard, whose father was Loki, the famous deceiver.
The symbol of the Ouroboros expresses the unity of all spiritual and material things. It also represents the eternal cycle of rebirth and destruction.
6. Troll Cross Tattoo
This symbol was very popular and present in many Viking houses. The power of this cross was to protect bad trolls, demons and negative vibrations that could be around.
7. Wyrd Canvas Tattoo
The Wyrd Web, or viking symbol of fate, was a powerful sign that came in the form of runes. It was made by the Norns, the goddesses of destiny, who wove the destiny of all beings. This symbol was a reminder that the actions of the past affect the present and that the present can affect the future. Generally, it was a sign of universal interconnectivity.
8. Tattoo of Vegvisir
Vegvisir means "the indicator" or "the one who finds the way". The Vikings wore Végvisir over them because they thought it would guide them, allowing them to reach their destination. Whether at sea or elsewhere, this sign would bring them home safe and sound.
Nowadays, some people think that the Vegivisir tattoos will allow them to not take a bad way of life.
9. Rune tattoo
Runes were the common alphabetic system of the Vikings. But they were not really used for communication purposes: the runes were usually used to call the gods and ask them for help.
