Symbols were important to the Vikings. For the Vikings, the runes were more than just an alphabet. They believed that runes could not only describe the world as a written script, but, when used correctly, could also shape the world. This is why the Norns, the Norse Fates, wrote the destiny of men by inscribing…
Often when we think of Norse mythology, we think of the Aesir as the gods – similar to deities from other ancient religions, responsible for different areas of life such as war, love, and fertility – and the giants as the opposing malevolent force. But the truth is far less clear-cut. The Aesir and the…
Norse mythology is full of mythical objects and weapons owned by the gods and heroes. While the most well-known of these objects must be Mjolnir, Thor’s Hammer, arguably the most important was Gungnir, the spear of Odin. Odin was the king of the Norse gods, as well as the god of war and wisdom. His…
Norse mythology is full of fantastic objects that had special powers or symbolism. The vast majority of these were associated with men, and in particular the male gods of Asgard, and reveal much about the characters and powers of these deities. In contrast, very few are associated with the female goddesses of Norse mythology, about…
Norse mythology is full of incredible creatures and fantastical treasures. The golden boar Gullinbursti, which belonged to the god Freyr, was both a beast and a treasure, and the fylgia of the god Freyr. What did the strange entity Gullinbursti represent to the Vikings? Freyr: God of Fertility and Virility Gullinbursti was an attribute of…
Thor’s Hammer, Mjolnir, is the most iconic object from Norse mythology. This was true in Viking times as well as today. Mjolnir is by far the most common Viking amulet found, and its use survived well into the Christian period as a symbol of continued allegiance to the old faith. But where did Mjolnir, the…
Norse mythology is full of enchanted objects that enhanced the powers of the Viking gods. One such object was Draupnir, a powerful ring that belonged to the god Odin, the king of the Norse gods. But why was Odin’s ring an important object in the Nose world? The Dripper Odin’s ring Draupnir, which means “dripper”…
While we might think of Loki as the major villain of Norse mythology, it is actually Loki’s children that are some of the most terrifying and interesting creatures in the Viking stories. The children of Loki with the giantess Angrboda were Fenrir, Jormungandr and Hel. Loki’s children with the giantess were feared and persecuted by…
In most ancient cultures we encounter ideas of magic, witchcraft, and shamanism. Norse society is no different. The Viking witch was known as a Völva, and they were considered to be powerful seeresses, shamans as well as workers of Seidr magic. Read on to find out more about these Viking witches, the powers these Volva…
While the surviving Norse sources have a lot to say about the exploits for Odin, Thor and Loki, relatively little information is preserved about the majority of the other Norse deities. Instead, we are left to piece them together from the etymology of their names, passing references in the surviving prose, and surviving depictions. Sigyn…