Of course, the heathen Vikings did not celebrate Easter, a Christian holiday linked to the death and resurrection of Christ. But it is no coincidence that the Church chose a time around the Spring Equinox for one of its major holidays. It was their practice to align Christian holidays with existing pagan traditions to make…
Marriage an alliance between a man and a woman to build a family was essential to Viking life. (Yes, homosexual relationships are mentioned in the surviving sources, but they weren’t considered formal, legal relationships equivalent to marriage.) During the height of the Viking age, most free men were small landowners and needed a wife to…
Loki is one of the most popular figures in Norse mythology, but he is also one of the least understood due to his story being changed and stretched for modern entertainment. However, anyone who knows Loki’s true story knows his real story is even more fascinating than fiction. But to dispel some modern myths, let’s…
In addition to the giants and demons we meet in Norse mythology, Scandinavian folklore contains many menacing and horrifying creatures who can cause havoc for individuals and communities. Meet ten of the most interesting and intimidating creatures from Norse folklore. 1. Brunnmigi The name Brunnmigi means “pees in wells,” which is a pretty good description…
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Loki plays a complicated role as a villain turned hero. But in Norse mythology, Loki plays an even more complex role as a hero turned villain who eventually leads the final assault on Asgard and the Aesir gods at Ragnarök. In addition to his leading role as the bad guy,…
The “Viking Age” started at the end of the 8th century when Vikings started raiding neighboring countries, especially Britain. Of course, the people who would become the Vikings were already living in Scandinavia by 790 CE, but they became pirates, or “Vikings,” when they started raiding. Much of the evidence we have for Viking culture…
Many of the most famous images of the Norse gods we see today come from artist Jahn Bauer, composed in the first quarter of the 20th century. Let’s take a look at the life of the man and some of his best-known works. Who is John Bauer? John Bauter was born in Germany in 1882…
Monumental-sized stones with runic inscriptions and decorations have been found throughout the Viking world, especially across Scandinavia. They were usually erected as memorials for the dead. The practice is traditionally thought to have started around the 4th century CE, with the last examples coming from the 12th century. However, a runestone recently discovered at Svingerud…
We know the Vikings had an expansive outlook and looked beyond their territory for trading, raiding, and settlement opportunities. With that in mind, and despite the geographic proximity of Poland to the Viking world, Poland rarely features in English-language scholarship about the Vikings and their activities. Most accounts jump over the large territories to Novgorod…
One of the most famous mortal characters from Norse myth and legend is Sigurd, also sometimes called Sigfried, who had a love affair with a Valkyrie, slew the dragon Fafnir, and died in unfortunate circumstances after acquiring a cursed ring. Sigurd’s story appears in many sources, both Germanic and Norse. Most fascinatingly, his story is…