Authentic Viking Tattoos?
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2022
- What do the sources say about tattoos in the viking age? Were thay used as much as seen as in tv shows?
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Ibn Fadlan
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It is widely considered fact that the Vikings and Northmen in general, were heavily tattooed. However, historically, there is only one piece of evidence that mentions them actually being covered in ink.
Could you possibly make a follow up video with some examples of historically accurate symbols from the Viking age and their meaning sometime? I'm not looking to get any tattoos but just trying to understand the culture at that time more. Really enjoying your channel. Thanks, for the great content.
I am Norse Pagan but, I do have a vegvisir tattoo. I also have Yggdrasil, Huginn, and Muninn. I know Vegvisir is a more modern rune but, it is from Norse Paganism regardless.
Next you're gonna tell us the Vikings had no horns on their helmets! I love this channel, filled with delightful nuggets of truth. Fact is by far more interesting than fiction.
Tatoos today are more done in pride or honor of our ancestoral heritage. I don't think anyone today needs to prove or disprove Tats existed or where the norm with our ancestors to have one.
Well said
Right but if you’re doing it for pride and honor of your ancestral history it should factually representative of them and not a different people or era.
You're not wrong.
@@mrj6 curious, what did you mean by that? Sorry ima smol-brain and it went right over me haha!
@@operatorlxix5839 I mean the tattoo should be historically accurate. Like people get Chinese character tattoos and they think they mean something cool but actually mean something else.
The fact the color is dark green or blue indicates strongly these were tattoos
My grandfather had tattoos on his left arm that he got during WW2. They turned a definite shade of green as they got older, even though they started off black.
My own tattoos are doing the same.
So yes, green or blue coloration does point toward tattoos.
Awesome videos bro! Keep up the good work keeping Germanic culture alive!
I have two tattoos currently. One, on my left wrist, is a four-lobed knot in a ring with the runes representing Thor, Odinn, and Freyr, since I look to them most for inspiration in how to live my life. On my right arm, I have an as-yet unfinished sleeve piece which is a Galdr I wrote to imbue strength, which I translated into old Norse. Both are hand drawn by myself, as will all the tattoos I plan to get, using old style imagery (instead of the super sharp-lined, symmetrical stuff you see a lot of people get) because I really like the way that the older artwork looks. Pulled a lot of inspiration from the Urnes style runestones.
Excellent video....
Much like many in Scandinavia today, I'm returning to my roots....
I will be getting tattoos honouring my ancestors, but will do so properly with getting books, plenty of books....I'll also work in some art symbolizing Celts, as I'm living in Scotland these days....
You can never learn, educate, yourself too much, right?
Greetings from a Swede in Glasgow, Scotland! 🤜🏻🤛🏻🍻
Gör dom stolta.
I have one tattoo. A "bindrun" that I stick and poked on myself. Just some runes put together to symbolise some things that are important to me. Never will I be delusional about the historical accuracy of the tattoos nor think that the way I used the runes to be accurate. Just one little symbolic reminder of my swedish heritage, bonds, and personal principles. 🇸🇪
Man, I like how you keep it real and look at what source information is available. I'm 100% Northwestern European according to my genealogy and DNA, mostly Scandinavian, and my Norse ancestry has intrigued me for a very long time. I was interested in Heathenry for quite a few years but realized after a while that there's no going back and what I learned about my Norse ancestors was that their lives were often tragic due to unchecked passions. I found my traditional Catholic heritage, via the northern French, to be closer to the mark so I returned to that. Still, I feel a connection to my Danish and Swedish ancestors that I can't ignore. Thanks for making these videos.
I love this channel keep the content coming. I learn so much from you many thanks
Very clarifying. Thanks.
I’m not a pagan in the sense that I believe in a set of forces or symbols from a certain time period or culture but I’m still very inspired by your channel and how you talk about sympathetic magic and rituals that connect us to earth and a wider idea of being. I have a tattoo of the sun wheel inspired by bronce age petroglyphs found on Bornholm. For me it has a specific meaning connected to discipline, strength and rhythm and I use it in a ritual I perform every day.
All religions are based around pagan magical ways like an ex-Jewish man walking on water and pulling food out of thin air with each belief has myth stories and none sounds more real than another.
I don't like when people assume you're in a cult or you believe in a religion because you have certain tattoos I have Norse viking tattoos doesn't mean I'm in a religion I just like the culture and symbols of my ancestry
Excellent video brother!
I have many tattoos, a 3/4 color sleeve on my left arm of conceptual organic forms that symbolize my love and connection to Nature and the roots of Yggdrasil (with a touch of Giger influence thrown in), several Military/ Warrior culture tattoos (Infantry crossed rifles, etc.), my Shaw Clan/ Scottish/ Celt/ Pict side of my family Crest (I'm getting my Danish/ Norwegian family side piece done next with context), and another 1/2 sleeve that's getting covered up with different blackout work because the original artist for that piece royally screwed it up LOL.
Great. Another Problem that comes with using the Internet.
Now i'm really, really curious about how the left arm of a Stranger who wrote a comment on a yt Video looks like... 😄
@@Nea-van-R. You can see some of my 3/4 sleeve in some of my videos, i'm fairly active on here lol.
The work on that piece was done by Nationally awarded artist Lawrence Gutierrez, he does some amazing stuff.
I have read the Vikings tattooed their sword arms to intimidate the enemy. As it says in the description you give, these tattoos went from hand to neck.
I just wanted to thank you for bringing this content on your channel. Greetz from your neighbouring country 🇸🇪
This is why the bindrunes I have are dark blue. Actually all the tattoos relating to the norse I want I’m debating getting all in blue
Ive been looking into the Picts or Pictish people who were given the name by the romans meaning “Painted Peoples”. A couple different “evidences” that point to them either being painted with “Woad” (similar to what we see in Braveheart) but most evidence points to them having intricate designs with different colours and a more permanent inking or body art… so it seems to have at least had some significance amongst some tribes/peoples
I have strong Pictish ancestry. Woad is just an extinct species of plant that grew naturally in the Scottish Highlands during that time period which created a strong hue of the colour blue. It could only be applied by a what we would call a shaman today. I'm not going too utter the word in public. mostly too protect the secrets of my ancestors and mostly if not all people nowadays would believe I am lying. either way I don't care. But it is interesting seeing the love for my heritage. The Pictish and Norwegians were close people. Well my lineage was anyway I cannot speak for the rest of the long slumbering Pictish.
The tattoos are a sign of spiritual enlightenment. they would be compromised of different colours but in times of war Woad would have been applied over the tattoos. too protect us.
@@an-dagda6276 In college, for my art history class, I wrote a paper on Pictish tattoos. I found that they can be very intricate, with a lot of swirls and use of various animals - fish being a popular one. And yes, they were very spiritual based. I think Pictish tattoos are beautiful. You may be interested to know that woad isn't actually extinct. I'm not sure about the British Isles, or other parts of Europe, but here in the U.S. it grows wild however, here it's also considered an invasive species, so it is illegal to grow it in most states. When they find it growing, they will try to eradicate it. I did watch a video with a Swedish young lady, who actually grew some in her yard and used it to dye some fabric. So it does grow in Sweden. You may be able to obtain some seeds online, if you're looking to grow some yourself.
@@an-dagda6276 Hello, fellow descendent of our noble Pictish ancestors.
@@BillRoyMcBill I am my brethren. I am descended from the GOD Kings of Scottland (Ireland) and Pictland (ALBA/ Modern Scotland) in the first days of our people. I am also the great grandson of Viggarson or Floki as he is called in the Vikings TV show. He is the Locheil of my Clan. Locheil is Gaelic for all father/chief. I have a rich history and my genetics are of "Blue Blood" if you know what that means. I.e Royal bloodline.
EDIT:
Forgot too add my lineage is ancient. I can trace my Pictish heritage right back too the Pharaohs of Egypt; as this is where the Pictish hailed from. I have trace amounts of Eastern Indo-European and native American genetics.
@@an-dagda6276 That is simply fascinating.
Excellent video - Thank You! I to have a variety of tattoos; both Norse and Celt (and some other stuff - like engineering symbols). For me, it's not about mimicking ancient practices but more about conveying myself within MY context. So, the recognition of my foundations in todays symbology is just fine (that said, mine are a mix of ancient and more recent). Ultimately, its about the meaning to me, and only me. That is the spiritual part that most overlook. It's about you, your heart, your spirit and your relationship with yourself and your beliefs. On that note, I'm a content man...
i like to mimic ancient practices.... i have much hand poked work, some thorn poked, some flint scratching, some tapped tattoos... in execution, i've tried not to get a specific cultures sacred design.
Thank you for this very interesting post. Hollywood often puts ideas into our heads that are either false or over exaggerated. I got tattooed with images that were used by my caribbean tribe that were on petroglyphs and other areas within their societies. Authenticity was key for me. Love your channel brother. 🤜🤛
Btw that cross and circle symbol behind you on the wall is a universal symbol among many tribal peoples globally, of course with slight differences & meanings. It looks incredible.
I have no knowledge of ancient Arabic I am not even Arabian but when I read that text I just assumed the Vikings had tattooed Yggdrasil on their bodies…. I would like to reiterate this is my opinion only! I have no historical reference for Facts to Back this claim up
You should definitely make a video showcasing some of the historically accurate symbols you're referring to! I'd love to see them and learn more about what they meant and the history.
I will say one thing though: People world-over throughout history do not always solely get tattoos because they have a meaning. Sometimes they get them literally just because. ...or they they think they look cool. It's just human nature.
Important to recall we have pre bronze age and bronze age mummies from the related and ancestor peoples of these cultures that DID have tattoos, and a lot of them. Even the women! Kurgen mummies and related.
I've been a tattoo artist for five years I've had tattoos for fifteen years . Let me tell you why you get tattoos .. because you liked it fuck what anybody says if it pleases you. Get it. Be Happy
Damn you good at this!! Another great video!!
Just gained a new subscriber from me. Just starting to dive into Nordic history. My Father was born in Italy, but my mother's parents were born in Norway. Went down my Italian roots. Now im trying to learn more about my other half.
I have kenaz, ansuz, othala and sowilo on my right hand knuckles and I have the triskelion triple mead horn on my right hand where my index finger and thumb meet.
The tatoos on that netflix series were ridiculous, much of the wardrobe used was also highly questionable... thanks for the great video..
Really wish the history of the Vikings would start out with... the Vikings were traders in the beginning, other settlements were aggressive and the Vikings are/were a proud protective people..... love your tattoos ❤
Started rading out of desperation...
Great video and channel! I'm trying to find trusted sources about runes and "alphabet" to tattoo something that it's meaningful to me, but it's kinda hard. For now all my tattoos are flowers, so I can relate to the description on the beginning of the video :)
Really good show as always I was wondering though do you know much about Celtic Culture? And if so would you possibly be able to do a video about to differences between Celtic and Germanic clutures? Please and thank you, you're doing a world of good
Problem with Celtic culture specifically Goidelic religioin is that Christian monks rewrote their stories, making the themes and lessons fit in with Christian ideals.
It's pretty sad, but if you only have an oral history, everything can be lost in one generation.
Well, I do know in western culture Viking tats serve an entirely different purpose. They have more of a connection to gang culture and prison politics. Basically gang signs for whites. So, I personally decided against getting any of the sort in order to avoid confusion as a European of color. Generally, those tats include Viking images with winged helmets, thunderbolts, swords, axes, Mjölnirs, swatstikas, shamrocks, etc. I still love my ancestry and all. It’s just a touchy subject here in the states. Essentially, when some AB’s I encountered on the outside who got wind of my Nordic/Celtic heritage I was basically viewed as a mongrel due to not being purely white. It was an AB conversation and I had to C my way out. I understood that. I also didn’t back down or shy away from who I am. So, to this day the only tat I have is my Star of David in honor of the king. Unfortunately, even that has ties to such gang life. So, I made sure mine was Black in order to defuse the bs😂
Edit: For the record there were some AB’s that did extend an olive branch to me outta respect. We just had an understanding of having to go our separate ways. So, they weren’t all bad. It was just the nature of the beast sorta thing😉
@@the2ndcoming135 AB? Not sure what that means, you a Morrocan or something bro? 😅😅😅
@@padraigin2929 AB=Aryan Brotherhood. I’m technically the current King of the Vikings, actually. So, no not Moroccan.
Absolutely AGREE. It was rather bodyPAINT for "occasions" than full tattoos. Patterns could change depending on situations.
The only Norse style tattoo I currently plan on getting is a design very near and dear to my heart. I almost died last December from multiple lung complications, to include a pneumothorax where I had a chest tube inserted. My diety I resonate most with is Tyr and especially his story of how he helped entrap fenrir. The general concept is to have Tyr raising his arm at my chest tube scar site, fenrir semi curled above him entrapped, blood leaking from his mouth as he has taken Tyr's hand. Just as Tyr continued to be a badass warrior and had to adapt, I've been on the road to adapting past my circumstances and getting back to battle ready.
If anyone has advice on tattoo style or design, I'm happy to take any input. I'm thinking I want it to look pretty traditional in its style. I don't need it looking like some epic fight scene. I'd rather it tell the story and focus on Tyr's unwavering bravery.
While the movie may not be the most accurate by god that final stand scene in 13th warrior will always be fucking badass ;p
A Viking tattoo is essentially blood magic, connecting you to Odin. That's the way I see it
I disagree with some of what you say, and you've missed or avoided some sources. William of Malmesbury described the Anglo-Saxons at Hastings as having tattooed arms and faces, and if we look at the Scythians - ancestors to the Germanic tribes - bog bodies representative of their culture show very complex and large tattoos of horses and other animals. I do agree that tattoos of that time would not have been vegvisirs or bindrunes and all the other plastic viking crap you see tattooed today
Another great presentation based on source material.
Me and my dad have the same tattoo. It's the Helm of Awe and it's for protection and I treat it as a bond with family.
have you read The Poetic Edda?
@@davidoftheforest3822 yes and the prose Edda. I have Icelandic magic rune books and poems
@@davidoftheforest3822 I have Galdrabók second edition, a book of poems study (I don't remember the name rn lol) and a bunch of ebooks with stories like; the sagas of icelanders by jane smiley, east o' the sun west o' the moon by George Webb Dasent and the Neil Gaimen Norse mythology audio book cause it's decent too.
@@Blue-xe6rx so, then, you know what the 'terror helm' was. the 'helm of awe'
@@davidoftheforest3822 oooohh sweet! Thank you 😁
This video needs to be viral !!!
I would’ve liked to see a comment in the video about the Scythians-the Vikings’ distant Pontic Steppe cousins-who did raids all over the place.
They infamously incorporated tattoos within their cultural heritage.
Great video ! I was wondering, Is it really the valknut an old norse symbol related to Odin? Could be an interesting video !
I have one tattoo that I had done many years ago. It's on my shoulder blade and stays covered by clothing, with the occasional edge peeking out, depending on what I wear. I plan on getting another tattoo within the next year, I just don't know what I want yet. 😂 I believe people's tattoos should be something personal, that represents them as an individual and maybe has a special, or spiritual meaning for the wearer. But that's just me. That being said, I've seen some absolutely beautiful tattoos.
I plan on going to Iceland soon to get a stick and poke tattoo either Yggdrasil or Vegvisir I haven't decided yet I love both
Found un-registred depictions in an area called TORSLANDA (Thors landingplace) outside Gothenburg.
😃
Inscriptitions from early Stoneage or Viking ones, I can't say...Vikings in Da' Hood..Close to the seashore.
Coming from a majority Irish but also Germanic and Cherokee heritage I do have tattoo for my 3 cultures in a collage but I don't feel comfortable saying because I don't want people to take my idea.
I have a full back and some chest work done of traditional type images of the gods and creatures of the spiritual side of Paganism. I feel it was the best way to keep them close to me and show my hereditary beliefs. I also have a book of traditional art from the time period that when it comes time to do "filler" work that is what I will use except for a few specific Runes that have come up for my own readings many times over and I feel are directly related to my successes and failures in life. I really do enjoy your videos though and have learned a many number of things within my young journey to find my former family.
Many thanks enjoyable video makes one wonder hhhmm.much love..one love..respect.
I have 1 on my shoulder and am looking to get the other done down the road to balance. I chose Huginn and Muninn done in knotwork with interlocking triple Meade horns just below and general knotwork above to frame it out nicely. Viking inspiration, if not historic. I want to get Geri and Freki on the other side similarly done with a valknut below (finally comfortable with that idea). Hopefully with Gungnir down the middle, if the design could accommodate all of that.
There is an Anglo Saxon Historian born ~20 years after the Battle of Hastings that says the English had "symbols cut into the skin" on their arms, to their fingers, visible under their armour. Harold's body was supposedly recognised by 2 tattoos known to his wife Edith. Considering that he was only born 20 years after Hastings, there were likely survivors of the Battle, and others around England who had tattoos at the time, and this is technically in the "Viking Age". It could be possible this was inherited from the Celts of Britain rather than the Germanic peoples, but if Anglo-Saxons were indeed tattooing themselves during the Viking Age, and with half of England being under the Danelaw, I can imagine if tattoos weren't really in Scandinavia before this point, that it could have spread from Danes in England into Scandinavia.
My "norse" tat, is a norse nature troll, carrying a tree, with leafs sprouting from branches. Each branch represents myself and my siblings, each leaf on a branch represents our kids, and I have the norse rune for family carved into the tree. My sister passed and she loved trolls. Hence the troll.
I'm planning on getting my first tattoo (binding of Fenrir, right forearm) soon. I'm going for a rock-art style.
Best video yet brother, I know I say this on a lot of your videos, but then you out do yourself! I have a couple of tattoos on both of my arms, can be covered by just wearing a t-shirt. Back a few years ago I wanted to get 3/4 sleeves and had ideas, but I’m glad I waited. Everyone has their whole body tatted up now a days so I think what I have is enough. If anything I may get a couple small ones if any because everyone being all tatted up has made us so gaudy. Little nerds are even all tatted up, so that has killed the mystic for me. I’m an ironworker and have seen the trend to not get tattoos from my friends for this very reason. The woke bunch are ruining tattoos.
It is difficult to prove or disprove. Good topic, I really enjoy your videos. There are a lot of new symbols out there. Definitely research what you put on your body. Especially if you are putting ruins in the tattoo.
I was surprised how small the tatooed Vikings were. Skeletal remains show the men averaged 5'5" and the women at 4'11".
I have 5 tattoos. They all have special spiritual meaning.
7:43 Those tattooes on Ötzi were placed on the same places "chinese" acupunture uses to "heal/cure"
I read Ibn Fadlan for my Viking Archaeology class during my MSc in York. So I know what you're talking about when it comes to the rituals and stuff that the Rus did.
Nice video bro
“We would’ve heard about it” I tried to count how many times you said that but I can only count to 12
Hello from the U.S. good sir, love the channel, thank you for clearing out the bullshit from Television and Movies. Just have a question, did Viking/Nordic warriors use bows in combat? Most of what I've read says bows were just for hunting, but I've got to hear it from you. Please and thank you.
I have a butterfly, lol. Not "viking".
Love "The 13th Warrior", and I have Ibn Fadlan's travel description in my library as well. But in my eyes, the Rus were different and likely influenced by central Asian/ Slavic ways.
They had the tree ornament on their skin and they use plants certain type plants to make that paint green or blue because they worship the sky and the trees in the grass some of them is both green and blue
My family is from the Isles of Scotland.
It would be priceless to know what their meeting was.
I'm not really focused on the tattoos but could you make a video on the types of animals the Vikings had
I have a meaning behind every tattoo. I have drawn & chosen the colors. All 6 are covered by clothing unless I have a tank top on. My wreath of thorn’s with a 4 leaf 🍀 is a reminder. The one behind my heart has a twin behind my sister’s heart. 3 are significant times, place’s & people I want to remember. The last is simple line’s &swirls to make a centaur shooting a bow in blue & green. My grandpa was born in 1906 Indian territory that would become Oklahoma in 1909. Every inch of skin covered by a tshirt was tattooed. He told me once they were his memories. I advise other’s not to use names. If your scared you will forget who it’s for, then you shouldn’t be getting it. I also suggest you have as much of a hand in its creation as possible. If you’re not artistic work with a friend or family to creat something from the soul. You don’t just ware a tattoo it is part of you and if created/influenced by another’s intent that is then part of you as well. It’s also kind of addicting, so set your perimeters before you start.❤😊
i am heavily covered now, and only a small handful have real meaning to me, the rest i just like.
Excellent video, saving if I need to show people some real information on this subject. The amount of assumptions about pre Christian Scandinavian culture that really come from Ibn Fadlan documenting the Rus really should be emphasized more.
Thanks mate- another excellent talk and informative as ever.
Kai uwe faust does nordic stick and poke tattooing. I love his work.
Hey brother love your channel very informative, I'm hearing alot that people think vikings wore dreadlocks because of the TV series vikings. We know their is no evidence for this, we do know that vikings were very proud of their hair with combs being found in graves. Do you know of any evidence for locks in norse culture?. Thanks bro.
I have never seen a girl with tattoos and thought it made her more attractive.
I think most people get these non accurate “viking” tattoo’s because of their obsession with the Viking series, not because they actually care about their heritage or the accuracy of wat they are thinking they are getting . It’s just another trendy, cool thing for them and most of them deny that fact. 🙄
I’m a Dutch female and when I found out I am 40% Scandinavian, 40% english, 20% Dutch/Frissian I did got some heritage related things tattooed also. For me it didn’t only had to do with the vikings though, I wanted it to remind me of my roots and the history of where I come from. I never even watched the series. 😬
Nobody:
Me: I can’t control what millions of people do just because I’m the king. That’s not how that works bro😆
I've traced my family back to Denmark, Scotland, England, and Ireland.
I'm studying the Havamal, because what I've learned of the old Norse beliefs speak to me in a lot of good ways. I wear the Mjolnir and bearded axe pendants my wife has given me across a couple Christmases, for how it keeps me thoughtful of certain things.
I have noticed, though, that with this Vikings show becoming popular, there were a lot of people (mostly guys) who started wanting the beards and hair, jewelry and ink, from that show. Trendy, indeed, but shallow with the most of them.
Some of us had "viking" tats from our Marine unit many years before this show. I had my runes tatted from first war in 2003 now a days ppl think its from the show. I did my research from rune books nothing from a show but that is how life goes when ppl assume, lol
@@DavidGarcia-em6hk HAHA, sounds familiar. Same thing here..
Hey, they find 2 ship full of burried vikings near my hometown in estonia saaremaa. Its called salme vikings. Earleyst vikings discovered to date
I wish they’d find a fully frozen Viking. With clothes and what tattoos they had (if any).
There are some speculations that the tattooes found on Oetzi had acupuncture benefits. Also,some of the symbols that are supposedly "viking" are actually symbols that Croats tatooed on their children during Ottoman times to save them from kidnapping. Usually they tatooed solar and Christian symbols.
Turks didn't want to take with them kids with tattoos. Tradition stayed till modern times, there's still old people (usually in Bosnia) with tattoos like that..
I have 3 tattoos so far and each have a meaning to me. One special is a memorial tattoo for my dad. To me the tat must have some meaning to me. I am Celtic, Viking and English. I have the symbols but know they are not authentic or historically accurate. Good video!!!
For me it’s quite simple: I like ancient Nordic cultures, particularly the Vikings; and I like tattoos. Therefore I have “Viking” tattoos.
Great Video thank you. Vikings actually took care of their bodies more than whats portrayed. Even made sure their nails were always clipped. I have Viking blood, but more Celtic/Scottish so my ink will reflect that. My wife wants me to get Viking tats but i feel deep down they just did not do that. The Pict in me wants to be painted head to toe though 😂
My friend please look into the origin of the rune hanging on your fabric and who created it.
I'm no viking nor an eastern European. I'm a Filipino our ancestor before Christianity in the Philippines have lots of tattoos but I'm not a pure Filipino I'm mix. My grandfather was an officer in the Spanish army and he him self does not have a blood of an Spanish his blood was Irish/ German. Will let's go back to the Vikings I love that concept bc I believe vikings are one of the first sailors in the world. And that's how I connect I have never dream or planned to be a sailor but here I am 19 years working as a sailor. Viking tattoo would be my gift to my self for sailing in the 7 seas.
Are there any books on the runes of that time period?
We know Anglo Saxons had tattoos, King Harold had a number of tattoos. After his death at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, his tattoos were used to identify his body, many of the 'Viking and Celtic tattoos we see today are Anglo Saxon art work.
I think it's great when people have tattoos that represent their ancestry most of my ancestry is Celtic and Norse and I get to Express both in my tattoos ✌
Well done. I have one Tattoo, I won't say what it is. But it marked my Initiation into a Certain Spiritual Group. I will be getting more but basic needs come first. I do have some Scars on my body that are also from Initiations. As a student of Cultural Anthropology, I can say in all confidence that Various Indigenous Cultures have Tattoos to mark their Identity and Social Status Etc, but there is also Scarification and even Burns that have been used to show a person's position within a tribe etc.
I wonder if some people have mistaken the tattoos of the Pazyryk nomads for those of vikings before we had better ways of dating burials.
When do we get to see your tattoo, Thor?!?! :)
I saw an interesting theory about Otzi regatding his tattoos. They discovered that every place where he had a tattoo was over an injury. They theorized that the mixture of the ink combined with the various symbols was a sort of healing ritual/merical practice. Nothing viking related, just wanted to share because I thought it was cool.
It's funny how they translated it as painted, That sounds very similar to Woad warn by the earlier britains
I don't have any tattoos but do understand my Vegvísir necklace I feel connected too & wear all the time is actually Icelandic.
Im Irish mainly, Scottish, English, Scandinavian, German, and French Canadian.
I would assume that all of us that have either Scottish, Irish, English... &&&& Scandinavian... have the connection to the Viking Raiders.
I have been thinking whether the Sami people have been tattooed? I cant find information about that. Can anyone here help me??
Is Ibn Fadlan the same guy from the 13th warrior? Historically I am sure it isn't all that accurate but in a general sense?
There are at least pre Viking bog bodies with tattoos. Tattoo needles were found in Viking graves as well.
My ancestors came from a few regions. Scandinavian, German, Australia Greece ,UK and Liberia region. My tattoos are reflection of my different ancestors.
Yeah, I have plenty of these type of tattoos but I think tattoos are pretty much a modern thing. Yes, people had tattoos in ancient times, but absolutely nothing like we do now. It would have been very primative.
it was customary in many cultures for people to be "marked" soldiers are often referred to. Now as to the "vikings" I can think of the Varangian Guard possibly, being marked as soldiers
(little thing about the Celts: no one can tell if the pictes had tatoos or if they painted their body)
I'm sure they generally had paint or something tattoo-like, most ancient peoples seemed to back then. But as you say, likely not as extensively as shown on tv.
Your channel is awesome. I love how you keep it real to historical facts. I have Danish Viking Ancestry on my father's side. Drives me up the wall with all the Hollywood stupidity over their Viking faddish look. All my friends who know I'm into my Ancestry constantly tell me to watch all these Hollywood Viking films, makes me cringe. The only one so far I felt was for the most part accurate was The Last Kingdom, and that's because it dealt with actual historical events between England and the Danish Vikings. Another thing I don't care for in these shows is all the Vikings look like MMA fighters. I'm pretty sure they didn't have 24 hour fitness gyms back in 800 A.D. Scandinavia.
Have you ever researched the comparative height differences of ancient tribes living in the lands around the North Sea areas? Including those who lived in the Netherlands? Could some tribes have been literally head and shoulders taller than others?
my family is a weird mix, half native american and danish. got the medicine wheel from my familys tribe the mvskoke creek and want to get one from the danish culture from my moms side.
Very cool tattoos are the ones found in Scythian mummies