Personification of Viking artifacts

Many objects from the Viking Age had a deeper meaning than today. This blog focuses on the special significance of objects that can be seen as a personal material identity. 

It is well known that Vikings sometimes gave names to their weapons. This can further be seen in, for example, jewelry.

Probably many objects that someone owned had their own story, sometimes a name and magical power. This was even more the case with völvas and aristocrats who emphasized authority through their objects.  

Scandinavians from the Viking Age did not distinguish between the secular and sacred world, both were intertwined. Thus, it can be stated that decorative motifs usually had a deeper meaning that eludes us today. For a culture that used almost no writing, this formed an important way to bring myths to life. 

The Vikings believed that spirit forces were present everywhere. They guided mortals in their daily lives. Animistic spirit forces resided in mountains, springs, and swamps. This worldview was not limited to nature but was also found in objects.

Often in Viking stories, objects provided people with skills or authority they otherwise did not possess. Objects could also be lent, thereby transferring their power or authority to the person who borrowed them. An example from modern times: the neighbor who lends you a Mercedes for your job interview. This approach to material culture also changes the interpretation of grave goods. Additionally, these were later excavated and reused, which enhanced their magical power.

Jewelry, amulets, weapons and many more objects were sometimes adorned with runes. Sometimes it concerns the name of the object or the owner, but sometimes the runes do not form words. In that case, they were usually carved in groups of nine, probably by a religious specialist or a völva. This gives the object properties such as love or protection. In the Völsunga saga, this goes wrong. An amateur carves the runes, and the female victim does not fall in love but instead becomes ill. A specialist is needed to break the spell. In the Sigrdrífumál, there is a warning against careless carving of runes.

Objects used in a völva ritual possessed both symbolic and magical powers. Some of the objects were historical, such as Neolithic hand axes or exotic items from Russia. These objects emphasized the status and magical power of the völva. It is common for these objects to have been given to the völva as grave goods. 

A large part of archaeology focuses on death and particularly the graves of people who walked this earth long ago. Grave goods tell us a wealth of information, but we must also be cautious of misinterpretations.

For example, objects might have been included during the burial ritual for their magical power or symbolic meaning. For instance, axes can be associated with domestic crafts, craftsmanship, warfare, fertility, or magic. While spindle whorls symbolize the female virtue of textile processing, the economy, and also fulfill the magical role of weaving the threads of fate and life itself. Young children were sometimes buried with weapons that they clearly did not use during their own lives.

Weapons in women's graves can sometimes be associated with domestic crafts, magic, or warfare. Sometimes they only represented the identity of the deceased, while in other cases there is a clear link to warfare. In the Ljósvetninga saga, a völva crossdresses as a man with a helmet and axe. She uses these to make a prediction.

Regularly, alongside material grave goods, animals and servants were also included in rich Viking graves. This tradition was also found among the Celts, Germans, and Scythians. done and dates back to their ancestors, the Proto-Indo-European steppe herders. 

The magical role of grave goods is emphasized by the fact that items were sometimes also retrieved from the graves of the ancestors. The saga's such as the Volsunga saga and the Hromundar saga mention that these items often contained magical powers and helped the new owner fulfill their quest. It can also go wrong and the (Un-)dead owner curses the person who takes the item. 

Likewise, grave goods were sometimes added long after a person was buried, such as to the 11th-century grave of Suantaka. 

The most common item known to have received names alongside magical power were weapons. Mainly spears and swords, but other weapons were also suitable for this. Here are some famous weapons with names:

Gram (Volsunga saga)

The sword of Sigurd, forged by the dwarves and originally owned by Sigmund. Odin himself places it in a tree and says that only the worthy warrior can draw it. Sigurd later uses Gram to kill the dragon Fafnir.

Tyrfing (Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks)

A cursed sword, forged by dwarves. It is always razor sharp and can kill with every strike, but also brings misfortune to its owners. It plays a significant role in the tragic fates of various generations of warriors.

Skofnung (Laxdæla saga)

A magical sword that is said to belong to the legendary King Hrólfr Kraki. It possesses unparalleled sharpness and is guarded by the spirits of Hrólfr's warriors. It is said that it must not be drawn from its scabbard without the proper rituals.

Clothing was generally received from the wife. It was inappropriate to receive clothing from women other than your spouse. Clothing could be given by sisters to each other, but it was a disgrace if your wife gave clothing to another man. The gift of clothing and the role a woman played in it already had a symbolic significance. But not all clothing was new. Sometimes second-hand clothing was given, especially if these garments had belonged to a king, they carried a magical charge. As mentioned in the Volsunga saga, Njals saga, and the Hervarar saga. 

other objects we discuss in another blog include the symbolism in jewelry, the protective power of amulets, and the function of the völva magical staffs.

It is known that jewelry such as necklaces and brooches sometimes had their own identity. The Brising necklace worn by the goddess Freyja, made by the dwarves, is the most well-known example.

The dwarves in Old Norse mythology were master smiths and created some of the most powerful magical objects used by gods and heroes. Here are some of the most famous:

Mjölnir – The hammer of Thor, forged by the dwarves Brokkr and Sindri. It always returns to Thor'ss hand and can cast lightning bolts.

Draupnir – A magical golden ring, made by Brokkr and Sindri for Odin. Every nine nights, eight new rings drip from it, making it a symbol of wealth and abundance.

Gungnir – Odin'ss spear, also forged by the dwarves. It never misses its target and symbolizes the invincible power of the gods.

When we look at Viking objects, both everyday items and weapons, we must be aware of their symbolic and magical power or meaning. The Viking world was a society where much more attention was paid to details than today. There was no distinction between the religious and secular world, which meant objects played a role in both. Even after death, possessions continued to play a role, or new significant items were given to the deceased.