Ostara, vårens och gryningens gudinna

Traditions and customs of spring and Easter through the ages.

The Vikings celebrated the spring equinox. The Germans and Anglo-Saxons worshipped the goddess Ostara, who symbolized spring and fertility. The celebration was characterized by various rituals, feasts, and offerings that reflected both pagan and Christian influences.
Vikingabröllop: Traditioner och ceremonier

Viking Wedding: Traditions and ceremonies

Vikings were known for their rich traditions and cultural ceremonies, and weddings were no exception. A Viking wedding was a significant event, not only for the couple but also for the surrounding community. Let's explore how a contemporary Viking wedding can take place.  
Gudar och gudinnor i nordisk mytologi

Gods and goddesses in Norse mythology

Norse mythology is a captivating tapestry of myths and tales filled with divine beings, heroes, and cosmic forces. The gods and goddesses are central to this mythological world and represent various aspects of nature, culture, and human experiences. Here we explore some of the most prominent gods and goddesses, their relationships, and symbolism.  
Torshammaren

The Hammer of Thor

The hammer of Thor, or Mjölnir, is more than just a mythological artifact. It is a symbol of strength, protection and the balance that Tor represents. Through myth and legend, Mjölnir has preserved its significance throughout the centuries and continues to inspire and fascinate people today.
Nornorna

The Norns

Norns are central figures in Norse mythology and represent fate and the cycles of life. They are three sisters who weave the thread of life for both gods and men. Their names are Urd (representing the past), Verdandi (the present) and Skuld (the future). Together they create a web of fate that governs the lives and destinies of individuals.
Glaspärlor, vikingatidens sportbil eller godisplock?
beads

Glass beads, Viking era sports car or candy picker?

Ever since we became settled farmers about 12,000 years ago, we have been able to collect and save things like never before. This has given rise to all sorts of ways to show off one's wealth. In today's society, the sports car is a good example of one of the ways you show off your wealth. The sports car is just as inconsequential as a glass bead to one's survival, yet we collect them whenever we have some spare cash.
Om Blot

About Blot

Some keep blots in historical places. Someone has their spot in the forest and some in their garden or a small altar in their home.  The blot usually/can consist of a blot ceremony and afterwards a feast/a party. Participants gather at a blot site and perform the blot together.
Glaspärlor, hur gjordes dom?
beads

Glass beads, how were they made?

The making of glass beads and the tools used have not changed much in a thousand years, of course modern versions of them are used but the function has remained the same. The craftsman needs a small furnace and a bellows to achieve temperatures of over 1000 ℃. A "dorn" is a round metal rod around which the hot glass can be wrapped or pulled over, there are archaeological finds from Helgö of mandrels with handles. The finds made on mandrels often have a conical tip for easier removal of the finished pearl.
Oden från Lejre

Odin from Lejre

The figurine represents a person sitting on an utsirad the throne with two carved animal heads at the top. On the armrest of the throne sit two birds with pointed beaks. The person is wearing a short dress, an apron, four pearl necklaces, a neck ring, a cap over the shoulders and a cap. Who it represents is debated.
Vikingatidens kvinnor

Women of the Viking Age

Viking Age graves say that men and women had different symbols and roles, but that there were wealthy and powerful people of both sexes. Viking Age women were considered almost equal to men.    
Om bindrunor

About Bind runes

Bindrunes are created by combining several runes to achieve a more powerful and complex symbol with a specific meaning or desired effect. In the image: An old "bindrune" from an Icelandic "book of black magic" from the 17th century – reportedly protects against jealousy and the hatred of the outside world.
Horn nordlysviking blogg

Horn

A material for the future. Beautiful, durable, malleable and timeless. Ancient craftsmanship, created for you.
Jul vs jól

Jul VS Jól

Some of the differences between the Christian Christmas and the Old Norse celebration of Jol (or Yule) practiced by the Vikings.
adventskalender

Make your own advent calendar.

Brighten up the days until Christmas Eve by making your own advent calendar! 
sten häller med runristning

The Sigurd carving and the tale of Sigurd Fafnesbane.

This is perhaps the most famous of all Sweden's runic inscriptions.
Nordlys-stenarnas betydelse och kraft.

The significance and power of the Northern Lights stones.

A small description of the properties and powers the stones we use are said to possess.
Dryckeshorn med hållare av smidd järn

FAQ

On our FAQ you will find lots of questions and answers about Vikings and the Viking Age. We continuously update with new information.
Mann dricker från en hornmugg

The History of Fed: A timeline from 3000 BC to today

Mead, also known as honey wine, has been a treat for humans for thousands of years. The oldest evidence of fermentation and consumption of honey and fruit comes from East Asia and is more than 8000 years old!
Vikingsvärd med inskriptionen Ulfberth

+ULVBERH+T

For the Vikings, the Ulfberht sword was a valuable prestige weapon and a kinship cloud. What distinguishes the sword was their high quality and inscription +VLFBERHT+ on the blade.
Vegvisir

Symbols and their meaning

A little history of symbols appearing in the footsteps of the Vikings.
Upptäck den okända historien om vikingarnas erövring av Ukraina och Rus

Discover the unknown story of the Viking conquest of Ukraine and Rus

The Vikings are known for their conquests and trade throughout Europe, but what many do not know is how great their influence was in Ukraine and the Rus Empire. In the 8th century, the Vikings began to explore and take over new territories along the rivers of eastern Europe.
Rökstenen

The story of the runes.

Here you can read about the historical written language of the Vikings.
12 Månadsstenar visas upp på en bit trä

The moonstones

Learn about the meanings and characteristics of the monthly stones.
Runornas magi

The magic of the runes

Our ancestors communicated with signs, and the belief was to create magical powersand signs became their language. Runes were created to convey eventsbut also for spells, diseases and divination.