Image from the Valhalla Rune Cards deck In Norse mythology, the concept of the soul is not a singular, unified entity but a composite of various elements, each with its unique role and characteristics. In fact, the old Norse word for soul, sál, was only created after the Vikings started to convert to Christianity. This…
Since religions and mythology are often inspired by the things that we see in the natural world around us, it is no surprise that animals play an important role in most religions. Norse mythology is no different. Animals are important characters and motifs in the stories of the creation and destruction of the world, and…
Looking at the skeletal remains surviving from the Viking world, we know that the Vikings had some knowledge of medicine and healing. Skeletal remains from Skeljastadir in Iceland dating from 1000 to 1200 suggest that the settlement had a robust and healthy population that lived to a ripe old age for the day. We have…
The Einherjar are the brave fallen warriors who live in Valhalla and are destined to join the gods in the final battle of Ragnarök. This concept has been embraced in modern Viking culture, with all warriors wishing to live and die in a way worthy of Valhalla. But what did it really mean to join…
The Hrafnkels saga, one of the lesser-known sagas of Icelanders, is an extraordinary narrative that unveils the intricacies of justice and morality in Viking law. The story asks whether terrible acts can be justified by religious devotion, the worthiness of revenge, and what it takes to gain respect in Viking society. Read on for a…
The Varangian Guard was an elite unit of the Byzantine Army, serving as personal bodyguards to the Byzantine Emperors from the 10th to the 14th century. They were called Varangians, which was a Byzantine term for people from the Viking region because they were mainly recruited from Vikings from Scandinavia traveling in the Baltic region,…
Drawing of what the Jelling site might have looked like based on early archaeological investigations. Since Viking history feels old, it can often be surprising when we talk about new knowledge and new discoveries. But what we know about the Viking world is constantly evolving. To uncover Viking history, we rely on fragments of surviving…
Most people who are interested in the Viking world and Norse mythology have heard of Valhalla. It is an afterlife realm ruled over by Odin. He picks the bravest fallen warriors to live there among the gods and fight alongside them at Ragnarok. Today, it is held up as the ultimate goal of all true…
The Vikings are renowned for their daring voyages, fierce raids, and rich mythology. Yet, beneath the helmeted warriors and their tales of valor lies another facet of Viking civilization that is equally fascinating their trade networks. Viking trade routes, which extended across Europe, Asia, and even into North America, were instrumental in shaping the Viking…
Drinking was a big thing in the Viking world. Producing alcohol is one way of purifying water and making it safe to drink, so most Vikings, even young ones, would have drunk weak alcohol every day. Mead was a special drink. It was made from honey, which was relatively rare, so was mostly saved for…
