Words That Remind Us of The Vikings

The reputation of the Vikings has withstood the destruction of time and granted themselves a position in this day and age. But what exactly do we remember about the Vikings? Overall, the legacy of the Vikings can be revolved around these words. Simple as they might sound, these words manage to find an echo in the heart of many Viking enthusiasts.

Ships

The most impressive thing of the Viking Age must be the Viking ships. The Viking ships were the best and probably the most meaningful symbol in the Viking Age. It did not only present the talent of the Vikings to create such a greatness but it also honoured the history of reigning the high seas. The remains of the Viking ship become among the most important attestation to the excellence of the Vikings. Among the Viking ships discovered, the Tune ship was the first to be discovered, the Oseberg ship was the burial for the powerful women of the Viking times, and the Gokstad ship was for the great warrior who fell in battle.

The Viking Oseberg ship displayed in Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway

One exciting news is that a group of archaeologists revealed the 2018 Viking cemetery ever found with up to eight Viking ships. 

Axes

It was not the sword that the Vikings commonly used in their battle. As you know, it was the axe that became the constant companion of the Vikings to join many battles. The sword was for the minority of the noble and wealthy while the axe was for the majority of the Viking free men. Whatever the situation was, the axe would always prove themselves helpful. For example, in the battle, axe became the comrade-in-arms of the warriors while in the days of peace, axe became the tools for cultivation or hunting for the Vikings. Overall, they were parts of the survival of the Vikings. But bear in mind that the historical axe of the Viking is not actually the double-edged axe. 

Berserk

Many English words we are using now originated from the times of the Vikings. In English, we know that "berserk" is a kind of anger, often in a violent and uncontrolled way. This word also dates back from the Viking age. In the Viking sagas, there were troops of elite warriors who were known as the "berserkers".

Viking berserker 

There were many explanations for this word: the bearskin, the bare of shield, etc. They were the great warriors who worshipped Odin and bravely battled without any armor. Many people claimed that the berserkers were in the trance when they fought, which explained the meaning of English "berserk". 

Norse mythology

From Norse mythology came the deeply-ingrained belief of the Vikings. When it comes to the tales from Norse mythology, any Viking enthusiasts can relate. The Vikings worshipped gods from Norse myth and they lived their life as sharing the values with the gods. 

Odin the Allfather also the One-eyed God was the Viking Supreme God

Brutality

This word evokes many controversies though. Because while many scholars believe that the Vikings were among the most brutal people of the history, other disagreed with this by pointing some historical evidence for their mercy. But whatever the result might be, most of us are to believe that the Vikings were brutal regardless of the first rank or not. 

Viking warrior wielding an axe to bend the world to their will

The Vikings set out raiding 13 centuries ago. Ever since the raid of the Vikings, they left the victims nothing but grieve and suffering. Some textual evidence depicted that the Vikings once carried out the Blood Eagle on their enemies for revenge. This ritual was to take out the ribs and the lungs of the victims to embody the wings of the eagle. 

However, other scholars believed that compared to other tribes of the same age, the Vikings were not as brutal as them. For example, the Vikings spared the life the women and the children of their victims. Meanwhile, some European tribes of the same age carried out the massacre.