Motifs are meant to call something to mind, and though they can attract the attention of the gods (especially images of the god’s familiar, such as Odin’s ravens or Freya’s cats) they are not necessarily “visual spells” the way symbols are. Motifs are much less formal and can vary greatly from one artist to another. Things like Mjölnir, the Valknut, or the Helm of Awe are symbols. Don’t let that fool you – symbols are usually considered to be older and more powerful than motifs or written words. Because of this, symbols tend to be very simple (so that almost anyone can draw them). A symbol is an established, recognized visual image that is almost always rendered in a specific way. The difference between symbols and motifs is simply a question of formality. Divine symbols on amulets, boundary stones, stitched onto clothing, painted on shields, carved into their longships, or as items around their hearths could offer the Viking that small edge he or she needed to face the uncertainties and dangers of life. Through everything, they felt the hand of fate governing all things.

They depended on the bounty of the land to feed their children. Whether as warriors or as settlers, they lived in the wind, rain, heat, and cold. They were intimately acquainted with the dangers of battle. Vikings sailed at the mercy of the mighty seas. Symbols themselves were thought to have power.

Symbols and motifs visually convey (instantly and across language barriers) messages that were deeply meaningful to the women and men that held them. The stories of Odin, Thor, Freya, or the Viking heroes that we have now were all passed on by careful word of mouth until they were finally written down as the sagas by descendants of the Vikings centuries later. So, while the Norse culture was very rich in poetry, stories, and songs, this was all transmitted orally. The Vikings also had letters (known as runes), but writing itself was sacred and even magical. Thanks to the Marvel movies, nearly everyone now knows about Thor's hammer (Mjölnir) which was a very popular choice for Vikings to use in their jewelry as represented in this ancient Danish artifact to the right. The cosmic forces and fate were active in everything. There was no separation (as there so often is today) between faith and reality. The spirituality of the Norse Vikings was so ingrained in their culture and thought process that they had no word for religion. Symbols played an important role in Norse culture. 'By the end of the 10th century the Vikings in Ireland had adopted Christianity, and with the fusion of cultures it is often difficult to distinguish between Viking and Irish artifacts at this time.' or Slavic, English, etc. The National Museum of Ireland stated the following on their website: Many of the last few generations of these Vikings were often the children of a Celtic mother. We offer an entire separate article discussing the controversy of their origin.īy the end of the Viking age, Vikings were already beginning to blend with the cultures they settled in. Two other very popular symbols known as the Ægishjálmur (helm of awe) and the Vegvisir (wayfinder) which were both first found in Icelandic magic books from the 19th century. Other examples of non-Viking aged symbols include the Troll Cross (not shown) which is based on later Swedish folklore and modern artistic interpretation. As well, the original meaning of these symbols are simply educated guesses by archaeologists, anthropologists, and historians.Ī few symbols that are considered 'Viking' have no proof of ever being used during the Viking age, such as the the Elder Futhark runes which most scholars believe were replaced by the Younger Futhark runes around the beginning of the Viking Age. Some of these iconic images were primarily used before or after the Viking age.

It is helpful to understand the true origin and background of each symbol. Please also check out our collection of Viking Jewelry, Drinking Horns & More.

Hammer and axe light up word clock