The Norseman’s unrivalled sea trade and pillaging created a huge European diaspora that has in turn led to a massive tattooing subculture centered on Viking mythology.
Viking, Norse, and Celtic tattoo (they’re very closely related) is rich with symbolism, superstition, warrior Gods, and powerful animal motifs. Whether it’s a viking skull tattoo, a tattoo symbol calling to the Gods, or a simple horned helmet and sword piece, there’s body art that will appeal to you.
The following collection of top 207 best Viking tattoo ideas showcase the breadth and depth of Viking age tattoo style, featuring a range of brilliant designs for your tattoo artist to help capture the essence of bravery and martial skill.
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The Viking compass – known also as Vegvisir – is a bit of a mystery. Only mentioned in one Icelandic manuscript, it supposedly keeps the wearer (or bearer) safe in all types of horrific weather and keeps them from getting lost.
A Vegvisir tattoo often incorporates runes at the end of each line. These can be used to spell out the name of a place you’re headed, the place you call home, or the name of a loved one.
You may associate knotwork with Celtic history. When Vikings began to invade and colonize these lands – between 600 and 1200 AD – they adopted some of these popular patterns into Viking design.
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Nordic knotwork does not have to use one continuous line, and often makes a person, animal or object the star of the design instead of the knotwork itself.
Whether the tattoos are a depiction of the Vikings themselves – bloodthirsty berserkers from a Viking ship wearing a horned helmet – or tattoo symbol of these great warrior’ mythology, an arm tattoo is an ideal location for storytelling.
The arm is a great place to show off any Viking culture tattoo, as it is in an easily viewed area. Simultaneously, it is a relatively simple spot to cover up if need be, assuming one is comfortable wearing long sleeves.
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That being said, not everyone is required to cover their tattoos by their work or other responsibilities, so to them, the arm might be an even more attractive as a spot to place their next Viking tattoo design.
One of the many things Vikings remembered for in our modern times are their means of transportation. Traveling primarily by sea, the Vikings often navigated the fierce waters in their trademark longships.
Needless to say, the Viking ship was a vital part of life and culture. For this reason, it is not uncommon to see them inked into a Viking tattoo.
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These symbols – very few of which survive today – were an ancient method of communication. It’s easy to see why they’re frequently incorporated into Nordic tattoos.
One unique character in the violent Viking history is the Valkyrie. These warrior angels choose who dies and who lives in battle, then accompany the fallen to the afterlife in the hall of the slain, Valhalla.
In the Norse tradition dying in battle was the highest honor so Valkyries and their role as “chooser of the slain” are powerful symbols of protection, purity and honor.
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Valkyries have long been popular tattoo subjects among modern day soldiers, and the massive popularity of certain super–hero movies, has reignited interest in these stunning but deadly female seraphs.
The world ofblackworkencompasses many specific components, from artistic styles to techniques likedotwork. Quality linework and shading make up many of the best Viking tattoos, while weak lines and blotchy fades tend to create Norse tattoos to avoid. This is true across virtually every genre of tattoo.
Since much Viking and Nordic artwork and lettering consisted of wooden carvings, knotwork and runes, keeping things crisp and sharp is essential for truly paying homage to this proud and fierce part of your ancestry.
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Thor, with his mighty hammer Mjolnir, was the Viking God of thunder and war. He prized strength, honor, and valor in battle above all else.
The Norsemen would invoke his name in prayers for the strength to cleave their enemies, as well as for protection: for themselves, and for their loved ones back home.
Much of the Norse way of life revolved heavily around what was seen as Thor’s area of influence over the natural world. He was believed to grant victory to the brave and the strong, and to welcome them to his side in Valhalla after they’d fought their last battle.
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Those who want to embrace their Norse ancestry often look to the greatest Viking God Odin as a symbol of strength and power.
People that look past Odin’s war-like nature admire him for his appreciation of wisdom. Viking style tattoo often portrays Odin with an empty eye socket.
The valknut is three interconnected triangles, whose name was coined by the Old Norse words valr, meaning ‘slain warriors’, and knut, meaning ‘knot’. The exact meaning behind this Viking symbol is unknown but has had a number of explanations supposed by Norse Mythology scholars.
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The popular modern Nordic tattoo is mainly believed to have been used by Germanic Pagans, as it appears on many objects during the 8th and 9th century – the time of their ‘heathen’ existence before Christianity.
It is also supposed to represent the power of Odin, who had the ability to ‘bind and unbind’ a person’s mind during battle.
Because the symbol often appears on burial gifts during these time periods, it is assumed that it is associated with death and the afterlife.
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The Vikings had a great respect for the wolves of the forest, with many involved in traditional folklore and tales as violent but strong characters with great ties to the warrior ideals of family, strength, and courage.
Dictionary.com defines Fenrir as: “a wolflike monster, a son of Loki and Angerboda, chained by Gleipnir but destined to be released at Ragnarok to eat Odin and to be killed by Vidar.”
Their names mean ‘thought’ and ‘mind’ and together they were the trusted allies and friends of Odin, the wisest and wiliest of the Viking gods.
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The legends tell of these beautiful black birds leaving Odin’s shoulders every morning to fly around the world, gathering all the knowledge and wisdom there was to be found in the day.
Every night they would return to him and whisper in his ears all the information they’d gathered, adding to his power and reinforcing his reputation as the all-knowing all-father.
The Yggdrasil is a particularly impressive piece of art that displays the image of a tree, one known well in Norse Mythology.
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The legend of the great tree states that one of its roots went into the underworld, another went into the land of the giants and still another went into the land of the gods.
This gigantic aquatic beast is an iconic symbol of ancient maritime mystique. With enormous tentacles, this monstrous sea-dweller is a legitimately badass creature of the deep.
Fans of the fabled destroyer emphasize the Kraken’s ability to crush ships, whether in nuanced balc and gray ink, bright color, or classic American traditional style pieces.
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What better way to show off your badassery and skill in combat than to get a tattoo of Ragnar from the hit TV show Vikings?
The name Ragnar Lodbrok alone could inspire fear in the hearts of men. A fierce warrior, Ragnar is one of the stars of the show – played bay Aussie Travis Fimmel – and formed the bedrock of the popular tv series’ plot.
In the Poetic Edda, one of the oldest Norse mythological texts, the dragon Fafnir claimed it’s protective power helped grant him indestructibility.
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During the Middle Ages, Viking warriors would head into battle adorned with the Helm of Awe symbol either tattooed on their bodies or drawn onto their foreheads.
The center circle, and eight trident runes crossing through it are protective symbols linked to victory during battle, to show strength against fear, and draw protective regard from the Gods.
Viking and Norse tattoo is a symbolic tattoo culture, with most tattoo design ideas incorporating Nordic tradition, culture and religious beliefs into their design.
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Traditional Viking tattoo design centered on martial power – the sword, axe, and warhammer – strength, courage, and honoring the traditional Gods of Norse Mythology.
A Viking tattoo is a great style of body art for those of the Scandinavian Isles, or even Brits and other Europeans that claim ancestry to the Norse.
With a focus on tradition, martial prowess, and the Norse Gods there are a range of awesome tattoo designs you can apply to your body art apart from viking warrior symbols . These include :
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Combining the Old Norse words vegur (way or road) and visir (pointer), the literal meaning of Vegvisir is to point the way. According to the Huld Manuscript – an Icelandic collection compiled in 1880 – the symbol was quite powerful.
If carried, the Vegvisir would keep a person on track through storms and all types of bad weather, even if they didn’t know where they were going.
The exact meaning behind the symbol is unknown, although it’s linked to the power of Odin, who had the ability to ‘bind and unbind’ a person’s mind during battle.
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Because the symbol often appears on burial gifts during these time periods, it is assumed that the Valknut is associated with death and the afterlife.
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