Journey with us into the ancient world of the Vikings—a time of legendary explorers, fierce warriors, and captivating tales. Here are 50 fun facts about the seafaring Scandinavians that might just surprise you.
Fun Facts About Vikings
- Viking GPS: Vikings used a special kind of sundial to navigate during their voyages, and they even had a unique compass made from a sun-compass and a type of crystal called sunstone.
- No Horned Helmets: Contrary to popular depictions, Vikings did not wear horned helmets. This misconception was popularized by Wagner’s 19th-century opera, “Der Ring des Nibelungen.”
- Name Origins: The term “Viking” comes from the Old Norse word “víkingr” which means pirate or raider.
- Rune Writing: Vikings had their own alphabet called runes, which were used for writing, magic, and divination.
- Female Warriors: The legend of the shieldmaidens, fierce female Viking warriors, isn’t entirely a myth. Some archaeological findings suggest their presence on the battlefield.
- Ship Savvy: Their longships were engineering marvels of the time, designed for speed, agility, and to be beached anywhere.
- Tooth Modification: Some Vikings filed and decorated their teeth. Talk about early dental art!
- Not Just Scandinavia: Vikings originated from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, but they settled in many places including France, England, and even as far as North America.
- Viking Parliament: The Althing, established in 930 AD in Iceland, is the oldest parliament in the world.
- Skull Cups? A myth suggests Vikings drank from the skulls of their enemies. This has been debunked and likely originated from a misinterpretation of ancient texts.
- Bathing Rituals: Vikings valued personal hygiene, bathing once a week, which was frequent by medieval standards.
- Dreadlocks: Some Vikings sported dreadlocks, braids, and intricate hairstyles.
- Hair Dye: Viking men, particularly those from higher social classes, might bleach their hair.
- Rus Connection: The modern-day country name “Russia” is derived from the Rus, a group of Vikings who traded and raided in Eastern Europe.
- Elite Bodyguards: The Varangian Guard, Byzantine Empire’s elite mercenaries, were predominantly made up of Vikings.
- Land Discoverers: The Vikings were the first Europeans to set foot in North America, around 500 years before Columbus.
- Erik the Red: This famous Viking explorer was actually banished from both Norway and Iceland before founding Greenland’s first Norse settlements.
- Valkyries: In Viking mythology, Valkyries chose which warriors would die in battle and which would join Odin in Valhalla.
- Viking Trousers: These Norsemen wore trousers that were baggy at the top and tight at the bottom.
- Tattoos: Many Vikings had tattoos, often depicting animals, runes, or Norse gods.
- Winters Only: Most Viking raids and invasions took place in the summer, while they stayed home during the harsh winters.
- Trade Routes: Vikings established trade routes spanning from Canada to Afghanistan.
- Fur Traders: They were big into the fur trade, especially with the Byzantine Empire.
- Berserkers: Some Viking warriors, known as Berserkers, allegedly went into battle in a trance-like fury.
- Chess Players: Vikings played a game called Hnefatafl, an early precursor to chess.
- No Stirrups: Viking riders rode horses without stirrups or saddles, showcasing their impressive equestrian skills.
- Estate Planning: The Vikings had intricate inheritance laws, often dividing property equally among sons.
- Pagan Gods: The Vikings worshipped a pantheon of gods, with Odin, Thor, and Freyja being among the most notable.
- Christian Vikings: Despite their pagan origins, many Vikings eventually converted to Christianity.
- Lavish Funerals: Viking chieftains often had lavish ship burials, wherein they were laid to rest in a ship filled with their belongings, animals, and sometimes even human sacrifices.
- Viking Rap Battles: They loved a good “flyting,” a contest where participants exchanged insults in verse!
- Currency: Vikings used a system called “hack silver,” where silver items were hacked into pieces to be used as currency or melted down.
- Lingo Legacy: Many English words, like “skirt” and “sky,” have Viking origins.
- First Parliament: Iceland, settled by Vikings, hosted the world’s first democratic parliament.
- Winter Sports: Vikings enjoyed