Viking tattoo ideas for the sleeve, chest, wrist, back, arm. Viking symbol tattoos make for unique nordic designs.
Are you considering getting a Nordic/ Viking tattoo? Well, they’re currently the most popular type of ink art around the world. The work of art is not only beautiful, but it also has an intriguing story with captivating mythology, culture, and belief attached to it.
The Vikings, a Scandinavian group that governed West Europe and Russia, were responsible for creating these tattoos in the 8th century. Their culture is enchanting and amusing, making their stories popular on the pages of history books.
Sea sovereignty belonged to the Vikings. These people traveled as explorers, traders, and plunderers. From the 8th to 11th century, they sailed across Europe and further in high-quality vessels.
Nordic Tattoo Designs
Viking Tattoos For Men
According to history, Vikings were bulky barbarians with a strong physique. From fingernails to necks, their bodies were covered with various meaningless symbols. Therefore, they had tattoos that were both traditional and spiritual. These are credible facts, even though no documented evidence exists to support them. Many archaeologists studied these findings.
As Vikings were adorned with elaborate symbols and signs, it is no secret. Their meaning, however, remains a mystery.
Viking Symbol Tattoo
The rune alphabets are mixed into Norwegian tattoos. In addition to the Germanic languages, Runes wrote the Scandinavian language, Welsh. By joining different alphabets, they created various symbols. These alphabets have been used by many cool writers, including J.K. Rowling, JRR Tolkien, and Jules Verne, among others.
It is no surprise that ancient, ethnic symbols can enthrall and fascinate books of literature. Most modern Nordic tattoo designs are influenced by Norse mythology, symbols, animals, and weapons, even though they are not originally Viking tattoo designs.
In order to make searching for a Viking tattoo design easier for you, let’s find out the meanings and significance behind the most popular Viking tattoo design.
Viking Tattoo Inspiration
Viking Tattoo InspirationWhat we know about Viking culture and how they lived still resonates with us today. It is common for people of Norwegian heritage to get a tattoo to display their pride.
There is more to displaying pride than wearing short-sleeved tops! Tattoo enthusiasts show off their tattoos on Instagram and Pinterest. Unfortunately, the best designs are hard to come by.
Traditional Viking Tattoo
Historically, body art was a way to establish a social hierarchy, a form of expression, and a way to identify oneself, but it was also a way to instill fear in others. Traditional Viking tattoos are often worn by people to honor the legendary raiders and warriors of Medieval times.
Viking Rune Tattoo
Rune tattoos are a unique way to tell a story through your body art. There is something like an ancient Viking alphabet in the runes describing things and places. There are 24 of them, each with its own significance. Among them are representations of Odin and Yggdrasil. Create meaningful ink by combining several runes or using just one.
Viking Warrior Tattoo
As well as being remembered for being barbarians and plunderers, the Vikings are also remembered for their fearlessness and skill. Getting a Viking warrior tattoo honors the strength and bravery of these individuals, and shows the world that you are fierce and determined.
Viking Chest Tattoo
If a design holds special meaning to you, then it’s best to get it inked on your chest. It’s a great way to preserve something that’s special to you and to keep it close to your heart with a chest tattoo. Having it on your body is a reminder that it is forever with you, and there is no better way to display it. If you choose, you can choose to cover only a small section of the chest with ink.
Viking Head Tattoo
In Viking times, head tattoos were very popular, but you have to be very daring today if you want one. Although this placement is cool because of its visibility, it may limit your job options due to its stigma. The placement is intimidating and bold.
Viking Back Tattoo
For body art to be meaningful to you, it does not need to be seen every day, which is why back tattoos are so popular. You can choose whether your design is detailed or large due to the relatively flat surface. The pain is also considered low to moderate on the pain scale, so you can conceal it or show it off if you wish.
Vegvisir – The Way Finder
A Viking compass is also known as this, and the Nordic symbols meant signposts. The symbol is often referred to as a sijil, or a magic symbol. It is primarily intended to show the light to the lost soul. It was believed that carrying this sign would prevent someone from forgetting where they were going.
No matter what the weather is, it’ll show them a path even if they have no idea where to go. In order to ensure they never lose sight of righteousness and prosperity, many people have it tattooed.
Mjölnir – Savior of the World
Thor- the thunder and lightning god- wields the short-handled magical hammer Mjölnir, according to Nordic mythology. Gods use this weapon to protect their realms. According to mythology, Thor used his most powerful weapon to protect the universe and to slaughter all the enemies of the gods.
Protecting and preserving the world from harmful energies is represented by it. The wearer will also feel secure, stable, capable, strong, and courageous.
Viking Thor Hammer Tattoo
Thunder, lightning, and power are associated with Thor’s hammer or mjölnir. Thor is said to have used this sword to defeat giants, so tattooing it would symbolize courage, strength, and bravery. He was Asgard’s protector, so this is also a protective symbol.
Viking Valknut Tattoo
There are many Viking symbols involving complex designs, but some, like the Valknut, are quite simple as well. A triangle with nine points represents the afterlife, and it is made up of three interlocking triangles. Maybe you are choosing this to show that you’re not afraid of death; you’re contemplating morality or balancing life on earth with eternity. Wearing it can also serve as a protective symbol.
Vegvisir Viking Compass Tattoo
People who want body art associated with guidance, direction, and protection should consider Vegvisir Viking Compass tattoos. As well as bringing good luck on journeys, the object was believed to help individuals weather storms or overcome difficulties.
Viking Berserker Tattoo
A Viking berserker tattoo is the perfect way to make a powerful statement about strength, fury, and fearlessness. In the Viking age, there were warriors known as berserkers, who fought fearlessly and were incredibly talented. A fierce rage is believed to have driven them into battle.
The Web of Wyrd – Norns of Faith
Wyrd is the basis for the Nordic concept of destiny. Norwegian mythology holds that Norns wrote the fate of people. Those goddesses were the ones deciding and determining the fates of people.
In the web of wyrd, the past, present, and future are all intertwined. The past, present, and future are connected; therefore, whatever we do in the past and present affects our future.
Triquetra – A Mystery
Triquetras are related to Valknuts and horn triskelions. Research has found that it is related to paganism, although its major symbolic meaning has not been discovered yet. In the past, Christians have used this same symbol and there have been many disputes about it.
Nordic Tattoo Sleeve
Viking Raven Tattoo
As well as being incredibly intelligent, ravens are also dark and mysterious birds. In Norse mythology, ravens played an important role. It is believed that Odin had the ravens Huginn and Munnin, which served him as watchdogs over Midgard and provided him with information.
Viking Skull Tattoo
Death is universally recognized through skull tattoos. Despite its morbid appearance, this body art makes a strong statement about the wearer’s acceptance of death and indifference to it.
Viking Web of Wyrd Tattoo
Viking tattoos are so interesting and unique as one of the best things about them. It is fascinating to look at each piece and they are all rich in symbolism. Intertwined lines represent the past, present, and future in the Web of Wyrd. Furthermore, it is about the connections between the fates and how our decisions can directly affect our lives.
Viking Sword Tattoo
Vikings are famous for their skills on the battlefield, and their weapons can be tattooed as symbols of their courage, tenacity, and bloodlust. Despite the axe being the most common weapon, the sword was also used. They are also extremely beautiful, demonstrate expert craftsmanship, and represent protection, strength, bravery, courage, and bloodlust.
Viking Axe Tattoo
The axe was one of the most common weapons used by the Vikings. It is a great way to represent power, protection, courage, and bravery to get an axe tattoo. There can be beautiful patterns on these axes, making them interesting and meaningful to look at. As the axe is shaped like a spoon, it is best to choose a placement that is large enough to accommodate the details of the design.
Simple Viking Tattoo
Although many Viking symbols are intricate and complicated, they can be time-consuming and expensive to ink. If you prefer body art that is more laid back and minimalistic, consider a simple Viking tattoo.
Viking Arm Tattoo
Because the arm is visible, it is an excellent place to get a tattoo to show how you feel and what matters to you. Because of the versatility of an arm tattoo, you can choose from a variety of designs, from tiny, simple pieces to intricate patterns and sleeve tattoos.
Viking Forearm Tattoo
Forearm tattoos are among the most popular body art locations. Due to its thick skin, muscle, and lack of nerve-endings, this area is not considered high on the pain scale. A person can choose to display artwork that they can see every day, but it can still be small and delicate or large and detailed.
Aegishjalmur – The Helm of Awe
From Norse mythology, this is one of the most mysterious and all-powerful signs. There are eight arms on this symbol to protect the midpoint from everything negative. This sign has been interpreted differently by many archeologists and scholars. A prominent benefit is the security it provides, the protection it offers, and the defense it provides in the face of all the hostile forces it may encounter throughout the world.
Viking barbarians often drew, engraved, or painted this symbol between the eyebrows of their faces to protect themselves and to induce terror in their enemies.
The Valknut – 3 Interlaced Triangles
Valknut derives from old Norse words for courage and fortification. Assigning to the killed warriors, it is called “the knot of the fallen.” Three triangles are interlaced in this symbol. German-Nordic funerary stones, for instance, are engraved with it in numerous archeological archives.
The Nordics worshipped rather than feared death- a god known as Odin receives dead warriors from the war at Valhalla.
The three-horned symbol, Snoldelevstone, is associated with Germanic-Nordic paganism or the ninth century.
Nordic Compass Tattoo
Gungnir – Swaying One
This weapon is the property of the god of war, Ordin. The enchantment spear was believed to fulfill its oath once pledged. There was once a claim that once war broke out, the spear wouldn’t stop.
The meaning of this symbol is an emphasis on keeping commitments, regardless of the circumstances.
Huginn and Muninn – The Messengers
Odin, the supreme god of Nordic mythology, used to sit on two ravens on his shoulders. As part of their work, they had to travel around the nine worlds and bring back information and news important to Ordin.
There are two main branches to the meaning of this symbol. According to this meaning, knowledge is a valuable asset, a sign of wisdom and intelligence. In contrast, ravens’ loyalty to their masters conveys a message of devotion, adherence, and truth to people on the whole.
Nordic Tattoo Ideas
Troll Cross – The Protector
Scandinavians wear a bent piece of iron ornament known as a troll cross for protection. According to history, Vikings covered their necks with cross trolls to ward off evil trolls. Their homes and stables were decorated with these cross trolls. In addition to protecting you from disasters, some believed it kept you protected from supernatural forces, such as black magic.
Basically, troll crosses are symbols of protection from negativity, as well as Othala’s power. Land and property are Odal runes.
Yggdrasil – Spine of all Existence
Symbolistic trees hold a profound significance in many cultures; similarly, the center of Germanic mythology is a tree. There are many interpretations and meanings associated with this tree. As a connector and center of all nine worlds, it is considered an essential element. People, however, think that the tree’s branches support and retain the sky.
The world axis is also viewed that way. There is also a mythological perspective that indicates Yggdrasil is guarding Heaven, Middle Earth, and the Underworld.
nordic raven tattoo
