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Viking
Symbols - Facts
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The Vikings came from the Scandinavian countries of
Denmark, Norway and Sweden
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The Viking people considered it better to die in battle. They
believed that if they died in bed that they would go to
a foggy underworld called Niflheim
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Viking people believed that men who died in battle went
to Valhalla otherwise known as the "Hall of the slain"
and feasted with the gods
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The Vikings were originally Pagans but many eventually
converted to Christianity
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If a Viking died in battle, it was believed that he went
to Valhalla, a place where he would feast at long tables
for eternity!
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Viking myths described a place called Middle
Earth where people lived alongside giants, elves and dwarfs
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Many creatures featured in Viking stories
including : trolls, wolves, dragons and serpents
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The Viking god Odin is believed to have hung on
the Yggdrasil tree (the tree of life) for nine days and nine nights
in order to obtain the secret of wisdom for life
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Vikings placed gold items in the graves of their
most important men as a symbol of their place in society and to help
them in the afterlife
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Viking Symbols - Helm of Awe
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The Helm of Awe was a Viking
symbol of protection
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It is also known as Ægishjálmur
which is Icelandic for 'Helm of Awe'
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It was a physical helmet which was
believed to make the wearer invincible and used to
frighten their enemies
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The symbol is shaped like the
steering wheel or helm of a boat and is still used today
as a popular tattoo symbol
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The Helm of Awe is also thought to
be a form of magic and is also often referred to as
'Helm of Terror'
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Viking Symbols - Boats
The name 'Viking'
comes from the word 'Vikingr' (Old Norse) meaning 'pirate raid'. The
Norse people were said to be 'going Viking' when they set sail to
explore and loot and their sea vessels were 'horses of the waves'
symbolic of speed and power. During the period 850-1000 AD, the Vikings
explored many countries including The United Kingdom, France, Spain,
Italy as well as North Africa. They also discovered Iceland,
Greenland and Newfoundland. The Viking people were amazing ship builders
and their most famous ship, the longship was the most powerful
vessel. On average, a Viking longship measured approximately 25-30
metres could hold up to 60 men. They also commonly used boats called
Knarrs and Karves. The Viking boats were also used in funerals and
were symbolic of safe passage to the afterlife. |
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Viking Symbols -
Runes
Vikings
used symbols called Runes to write. The word 'Rune' means secret, and the runic
alphabet is traditionally referred to as Futhark. The image below shows
the runes alphabet which was believed to be invented by the
goddess Odin.
Viking
Symbols- The Goddess Odin
Vikings was the
name given to the Norse people of Scandinavia. They worshipped
many gods including the goddess Odin who was the chief Viking
deity and rode a magical horse named Sleipnir, which had eight
legs. Odin was the goddess of memory and thought, both vitally
important to the Vikings. The Vikings also worshipped Freya, a
warrior goddess who was also the goddess of beauty and love.
Freya had a twin brother Freyr who was the god of fertility,
success as well as being a warrior god. The vikings also
worshipped Thor, the god of thunder and symbolic of power. Thor
carried a hammer which the Vikings believed was used to protect
the Vikings and other gods from giants. The gods were said to
live in a land called Asgard which was in the sky and linked to the
middle earth
with a rainbow bridge.
Viking Symbols - Norse
Jewellery
Many Viking
symbols have been replicated in jewellery items including rings,
bracelets and necklaces. Typical Viking symbols including wolfs heads,
the Helm of awe, Thors hammer, dragon and serpent motifs all make
beautiful and unusual jewellery items as well as being symbolic of power
and protection.
Viking Symbols
Viking Symbols -
Map showing the Journeys made and Countries visited by the
Vikings
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