The Vikings were the people who inhabited the Norse peoples of Scandinavia. The men, mainly, were differentiated from the rest of European civilizations by their clothing, great strength, long beards and, also, Viking tattoos. Just as you read it, some of the members of these towns They wore symbols on their skin that were of great value to their community.Do you want to meet them?
The symbols captured in Viking tattoos were, above all, representations of good and evil, figures of protection, objects that they used in their daily lives and even images of the Viking gods they worshiped. However, Norse tattoos, as they are also known, did not remain in ancient Scandinavia, Nowadays there are many people who value the meaning of these symbols and decide to draw them on different areas of their bodies. to take them with you.
If you are one of those interested in knowing what were viking tattoosits curiosities, symbols, or you are simply looking for ideas to get a tattoo and you came to this article, we invite you to continue reading so that you can see through the images that we will share with you 10 of the most outstanding Viking tattoos of this town.
10 Curiosities about Viking tattoos | Discover its important meanings
1. The Vegvísir It is the first of the Viking tattoos that we want to present to you. This symbol has a meaning of protection that the Norse appreciated every time they undertook conquests or any type of fight. The vegvísir is also known under the names “direction sign” or “Viking compass”, taking into account that its design is very similar to one of these location instruments. The sole and main purpose of this Viking symbol is protect the wearer from any dangerous situation. As an additional curious fact, we inform you that the singer Björk, originally from Iceland, has a Vegvísir tattooed near her left shoulder.
2. The next Viking tattoo curiosity you are about to read includes a couple of animals and Odin, the god of wisdom in Norse mythology. This symbol is the ravens Hugin and Munin, which used to travel with the god. Hugin represents thought, while Munin symbolizes memory; Both used to be drawn on the bodies of Vikings due to the mythological importance that these three characters have in Viking culture.
3. Thor’s hammer is another of the Viking tattoos widely famous since ancient times. Mjolnirwhich is its mythological name, is one of the most powerful weapons in Norse mythology and has been part of Thor’s story due to its importance.
4. “The tree of life”, better known as Yggdrasil, is a mythological symbol that is often a favorite of fans of Viking culture. The branches of the tree are responsible for uniting the worlds and the roots are found next to a well of water that represents knowledge.
5. The Vikings also used to tattoo the Wyrd network, which represents destiny. This symbol is made up of different lines that join together and form a mesh or network. Three of the lines symbolize the past, present and future.
6. The Svefnthorn is one of the most manipulable Viking tattoos, since its design can be altered according to what the person wants to represent. This symbol itself was a kind of amulet that allowed the Vikings to avoid nightmares. Just as there are dream catchers in North American culture, also known as symbols of good luck, the Svefnthorn remains on the skin of its wearer to provide complete rest.
7. If there is something that represents the culture of these European peoples, it is the longships, the fearsome Viking ships in which warriors were transported to carry out their conquests, wars or other types of fights.. The drawing of the longship quickly became popular due to its interesting structure.which is why it is also part of the list of curious Viking tattoos that people often get today.
8. The next tattoo that we will know is also sold in the form of an amulet today. We are talking about the Troll Cross, a circle made of iron that intersects at the bottom. This symbol is an amulet of protection and in Sweden it is known as a method to ward off elves and trolls.
9. Speaking of mythological creatures, Sleipnir It is a horse that is characterized by having eight legs and that has been part of various Viking poems and novels. Likewise, the figure of Sleipner, as he is also known, is usually on the list of tattoo ideas for those who love everything related to the Nordic.
10. The last of the Viking tattoo curiosities that we bring also involves the Celtic culture, which used to use this symbol as a method of protection. The Shield Knot is made up of four sections and can be drawn with or without filling, that is, exclusively its silhouette.
Now that you know 10 Viking tattoos, their curiosities and meanings, do you already know which symbol you will get tattooed? If the answer is affirmative, we invite you to share it in the comments accompanied by the reason why you decided to get said tattoo. If you simply entered the article to learn more about the vikings, why don’t you continue your research by delving into the most common Viking names or the true story of the famous Viking Ragnar Lothbrok? You will surely enjoy the articles we have prepared for you!