Are you sailing over the internet on your quest to find the perfect Tattoo Design? Well, worry not. We’re about to set sail towards a new land as we conquer and pillage some of the finest Viking Tattoo Designs the World has ever seen.
What Does A Viking Tattoo Mean
The Vikings were seafaring Norse people from Scandinavia who lived during the Viking Age, roughly between the late 8th century and the early 11th century. Famous for their raiding expeditions, which began around 793 AD with the attack on the Lindisfarne Monastery in England, their raids targeted coastal towns and monasteries across Europe, driven by a need for resources and wealth.
Not just raiders and pillagers, the Vikings were skilled explorers and traders, sailing across vast distances in their longships. They reached as far as North America, Russia, and the Middle East, trading goods such as furs, amber, and slaves and, in return, acquired silver, spices, and other luxuries.
When it comes to Viking Tattoos, it is actually still up for debate whether Vikings tattooed themselves due to limited concrete evidence. However, based on historical texts, cultural practices of related groups, and the Vikings’ environment, some clues suggest the possibility of Viking tattoos.
Ahmad Ibn Fadlan, a 10th-century Arab traveler and diplomat, made detailed accounts of the Viking Rus (a group of Norse people who traded and settled in what is now Russia). He wrote that these men were “tattooed from fingernails to neck with dark green (or dark blue) trees and figures.” This suggests that the Vikings may have had body art, likely in the form of intricate designs inspired by nature, animals, or their mythology.
While Ibn Fadlan was describing the Viking Rus and not the Scandinavian Vikings directly, the cultural similarities make it possible that tattooing could have been a practice among other Viking groups as well.
If Vikings had tattoos, they would likely have been used for protection in battle, as markers for identification and status, as marks of valor for accomplishments in battle, and as links to the gods they admired the most.
While Vikings no longer exist, their art and stories still inspire many, so much so that people ink themselves with Viking artistry. This can include their favorite deities, weapons, runes, and mythological creatures to pay homage to Viking history and lore.
Best Viking Tattoo Designs
Now that we know a little about Viking Tattoos let’s take a look at some of the best Viking Tattoo Designs from the best artists worldwide.
Odin Viking Tattoo
The Allfather, Odin is considered the chief of the gods. Known for his relentless pursuit of knowledge, even at great personal cost, he sacrificed one of his eyes to gain wisdom and hung himself on the World Tree, Yggdrasil, for nine nights to learn the secrets of the runes.
Eir Viking Tattoo
One of the lesser-known figures of Norse mythos, Eir is regarded as a goddess of healing and mercy, associated with the art of medicine and the care of the wounded.
Eir, meaning “mercy” or “help,” reflects her role in providing comfort and healing. She was known for her ability to heal physical and spiritual wounds, making her a revered figure for those seeking relief from illness or injury.
Thor Viking Tattoo
God of Thunder and Lightning, Thor is one of the most famous and powerful gods in Norse mythology. Son of Odin and Jörd, Thor was known for his incredible physical strength and direct approach to problems, often opting for brute force, unlike his father’s more strategic approach.
Skadi Viking Tattoo
Skadi was the goddess of winter, hunting, mountains, and skiing. Skadi was born a jötunn whose father was notorious in Norse mythology, most famously for kidnapping the goddess Idunn, the keeper of the apples of youth. The Aesir gods, led by Loki, killed Thjazi to rescue Idunn, leading Skadi to seek revenge.
After her father’s death, Skadi sought revenge. To compensate Skadi for her father’s death, the gods asked Loki to make Skadi laugh. In a bizarre attempt to quell Skadi’s anger, Loki tied a rope to his private parts and a goat to engage in a game of tug-of-war, which ultimately made her laugh.
Loki Viking Tattoo
Loki is one of the most complex figures in Norse mythology, known for his mischievous, unpredictable, and sometimes malevolent nature. A trickster who uses his wit and cunning to manipulate situations, Loki’s unpredictability makes him a key figure in many myths whose actions often lead to complications and trouble.
Skoll And Hati Tattoo
This Wolf Tattoo is of Skoll and Hati, the two wolves who are best known for their pursuit of the sun and the moon across the sky. This pursuit is what causes the day and night cycle in Norse mythology. When the pair catch up to and devour the celestial bodies, it is foretold that the world-ending event known as Ragnarok will begin.
Magni Viking Tattoo
Magni is one of the sons of Thor and Járnsaxa and a minor figure in Norse mythology. When Thor battles and kills the giant Hrungnir, he gets trapped under the giant’s enormous leg, and none of the other gods are strong enough to lift the leg to free Thor.
However, Magni, who was only three days old then, comes to his father’s rescue, easily lifting the giant’s leg and saving Thor. Proud of Magni’s incredible strength, Thor gifts him Hrungnir’s horse, a mighty steed named Gullfaxi.
Valknut Viking Tattoo
Magni is one of the sons of Thor and Járnsaxa and a minor figure in Norse mythology. When Thor battles and kills the giant Hrungnir, he gets trapped under the giant’s enormous leg, and none of the other gods are strong enough to lift the leg to free Thor.
However, Magni, who was only three days old then, comes to his father’s rescue, easily lifting the giant’s leg and saving Thor. Proud of Magni’s incredible strength, Thor gifts him Hrungnir’s horse, a mighty steed named Gullfaxi.
Valkyrie Viking Tattoo
The Valkyries are the all-female servants of Odin who are responsible for selecting the bravest warriors who fall in battle and guiding their souls to Valhalla, Odin’s great hall, where they prepare for Ragnarok, the final battle of the gods.
The Valkyries have supernatural abilities, such as flight, shape-shifting, and influencing warriors’ fates. They can also move between the worlds of the living and the dead, making them liminal figures with dominion over life and death.
Freya Viking Tattoo
Freya, or Freyja, is the Norse goddess associated with love, beauty, fertility, sex, war, gold, and magic. A member of the Vanir, she lives among the Aesir after the war between the two divine groups.
Freya is one of the goddesses who chooses the slain warriors. While Odin selects half of the warriors killed in battle to reside in Valhalla, Freya takes the other half to her own hall, Fólkvangr.
Frigg Viking Tattoo
Frigg or Frigga is the goddess of marriage, motherhood, and domestic life. She also has power over prophecy and fate. Frigg is Odin’s wife, who shares in his sovereignty and holds significant power in the divine realm. Frigg is fiercely protective of her children, particularly Balder, and does everything in her power to prevent harm from coming to them.
Balder Viking Tattoo
Balder or Baldur, son of Frigg and Odin, is the god of light, purity, beauty, and innocence, often associated with goodness, wisdom, and justice. After having dreams of his own death, his concerned mother, Frigg, travels across the cosmos, securing oaths from every living thing and inanimate object that they will not harm Balder.
Upon seeing mistletoe, Frigg deems it too insignificant to pose any real threat and does not extract an oath from it. Envious of Balder’s invulnerability, Loki decides to exploit his one weakness. He crafts a spear or arrow from mistletoe and, in a cruel twist, convinces Balder’s blind brother, Hodr, to participate in a game of testing Balder’s invincibility.
Hodr throws the arrow at Loki, unaware of what will happen, striking the god and killing him instantly. His passing represents the loss of innocence and light in the world and is considered a major precursor to Ragnarok.
Helm Of Awe Tattoo
The Helm of Awe Tattoo or Ægishjálmr is a magical or symbolic object that grants its wearer the ability to strike fear into enemies and shield themselves from harm. It was believed to create a magical “aura” or “shield” around the person who bore it, either through physical markings or as a magical sigil.
Vegvisir Viking Tattoo
The Vegvisir is an Icelandic magical stave associated with guidance, protection, and safe travel. Though not originally from Viking Age sources, the Vegvísir has become a widely recognized symbol, especially in modern times, for those who draw inspiration from Norse mythology, Icelandic magical traditions, and Viking culture.
The word Vegvísir is derived from Icelandic, where “vegur” means “way” or “road” and “vísir” means “pointer” or “guide.” Therefore, Vegvísir roughly translates to “that which shows the way” or “guidepost.”
Yggdrasil Tattoo
This Tree of Life Tattoo is of Yggdrasil one of the most important and central concepts in Norse mythology. Yggdrasil connects the Nine Worlds of Norse cosmology and symbolizes the universe, representing the interconnectedness of all existence.
Nidhogg Viking Tattoo
Nidhogg is a dragon (or serpent) that gnaws at the roots of Yggdrasil. It resides at Nástrond, the shore of corpses in Niflheim, the realm of the dead. His primary role is to gnaw on the roots of Yggdrasil. His actions represent the forces of corruption, destruction, and chaos that are constantly at work in the universe.
Sigrun Viking Tattoo
Sigrun is one of the Valkyries most famous for her role in the heroic saga of Helgi Hundingsbane. Helgi rose to prominence after he defeated his enemy, Hundi. Sigrun is immediately drawn to him because of his heroic reputation and her connection to his fate.
She reveals that she has been betrothed to Höðbrodd, a king she does not love and seeks Helgi’s help to escape this unwanted marriage. Helgi agrees to fight for Sigrun and defeats Hodbrodd in battle, freeing her from the unwanted engagement. After this victory, Sigrún and Helgi are united in love, and she becomes his wife.
Unfortunately, despite Sigrún’s efforts to protect and support him, Helgi is killed by Dag, one of Hodbrodd’s brothers, who seeks revenge for his family’s death. Suffering from grief so powerful, she is said to die of sorrow, unable to live without Helgi by her side.
Ratatoskr Viking Tattoo
Ratatoskr is a mischievous squirrel who scurries up and down the great World Tree, Yggdrasil. He serves as a messenger, carrying messages that are primarily insults and taunts between the two powerful beings of Nidhogg at the bottom and an unnamed Eagle at the top.
Fenrir Viking Tattoo
This Wolf Tattoo is of Fenrir, also known as Fenrisúlfr or Fenris. He is one of the three monstrous offspring of Loki and the giantess Angrboda (Angrboða). Fenrir’s size grew so enormous that the gods began to fear his power.
In their attempts to subdue the beast and prevent his destiny at Ragnarok, where he kills Odin, the gods commissioned the dwarves to create a magical bind. The dwarves crafted Gleipnir, a chain made from seemingly impossible ingredients, such as the sound of a cat’s footfall, the beard of a woman, the roots of a mountain, and the breath of a fish.
Fenrir grew suspicious of their intentions when the gods presented Gleipnir to him. In a test of good faith, he demanded that one of the gods place their hand in his mouth while he allowed them to bind him. Týr, the god of war and justice, agreed and put his hand in Fenrir’s jaws. Once Fenrir realized he could not break free of Gleipnir, he bit off Týr’s hand in rage.
Vinland Saga Tattoo
This Anime Tattoo is of Vinland saga. Set during the Viking Age and combines historical events with fictional characters to tell an epic story about war, revenge, exploration, and personal growth.
The story revolves around Thorfinn, a young Viking warrior, and his quest for revenge against Askeladd, the man who killed his father. As the series progresses, it explores Thorfinn’s growth from a revenge-driven boy to a man who begins questioning the violence and cycle of hatred that defines his world.
Mjolnir Viking Tattoo
Mjölnir, or Mjǫllnir, is the legendary hammer wielded by Thor. Crafted by the dwarves Brokkr and Sindri, the hammer was created as part of a contest between Loki and the dwarves after Loki cut off the golden hair of Thor’s wife, Sif.
When Thor wields the hammer, it is said to be capable of crushing mountains and giants with a single blow. The hammer always strikes its target and returns to Thor’s hand, no matter how far it is thrown.
Warhammer 40,000 Viking Tattoo
For something a little unique for your Viking Tattoo, check out this super cool Warhammer 40,000 Tattoo done in a Viking style. Set in the 41st millennium, the galaxy is a place of constant war, oppression, and darkness.
Humanity is led by the Imperium of Man, a massive, authoritarian empire ruled by the God-Emperor, who has been entombed on the Golden Throne in a state of life and death for over 10,000 years. The Imperium is beset on all sides by alien races, chaotic forces, and internal corruption.
Huginn and Muninn Viking Tattoo
This Animal Tattoo is of Huginn and Muninn, Odin’s two ravens who serve as his companions and messengers. These ravens fly all over the world, Midgard, each day, gathering information for Odin and returning to him to report what they have seen.
Huginn and Muninn are essential to Odin’s role as the god of wisdom, knowledge, and prophecy, and they symbolize his far-reaching vision and connection to the realms of thought and memory.
Draugr Viking Tattoo
Draugrs are undead creatures, often described as reanimated corpses or zombie-like beings that emerge from their grave to terrorize the living. Draugar typically rise from their graves due to a strong attachment to life, their belongings, or the desire for revenge.
They are often driven by greed, seeking to protect the treasure they were buried with, or malice, wanting to harm those who wronged them or violated their graves.
Surtr Viking Tattoo
Surtr, or Surt, is a fire giant who plays a critical role in Ragnarok. Surtr rules Muspelheim, one of the Nine Worlds in Norse cosmology. Muspelheim is the realm of fire, a land of intense heat and flames. It is said to exist in the far south of the cosmos, unlike Niflheim, the icy land in the far north.
During Ragnarok, Surtr and the fire giants will lead an assault on the realms of the gods and the cosmos itself. Surtr will use his sword to set the world ablaze, engulfing both Asgard and Midgard in flames.
His fire will consume everything, symbolizing the total destruction of the cosmos. From the ashes, a new peaceful world will be born with Surtr’s fire cleansing the old world and ushering in a new one.
Kratos Tattoo
Once the Greek God of War, Kratos finds himself in the land of Norse mythos after his successful quest for revenge against the Gods of Olympus. Following her death, Kratos, with his son Atreus, must set out to fulfill his late wife’s dying wish to spread her ashes at the highest point in all the nine realms.
Brokkr And Sindri Viking Tattoo
Most well-known for creating Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, Brokkr and Sindri are two master dwarven blacksmiths in Norse mythology. Aside from the hammer, the pair also made Golden hair for Sif, which would grow like normal hair, Skidbladnir, a magical ship that could be folded up and always had a favorable wind, and Gungnir, Odin’s mighty spear.
Alice In Wonderland Viking Tattoo
Another unique idea for your Viking Tattoo is this super cool Cat Tattoo of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. The Cheshire Cat is known for its mischievous, cryptic, and often enigmatic personality.
Unlike many of the other residents of Wonderland, who are more chaotic or nonsensical, the Cheshire Cat appears calm, composed, and philosophical, providing Alice with insights that can be helpful and bewildering.
Slepnirr Viking Tattoo
Sleipnir is a mythical eight-legged horse in Norse mythology, best known as Odin’s steed. When the gods of Asgard made a deal with a builder to construct the walls of Asgard within a specific time, the builder demanded Freya, the goddess of love, along with the sun and moon.
The gods agreed to this under the condition that the builder could complete the job within one winter, which they believed impossible. Unbeknownst to the gods, the builder had a powerful stallion named Svadilfari, who helped him carry heavy stones at a speed that made the job progress much faster than the gods anticipated.
Angry at Loki for allowing him to bargain, the god devised a plan to sabotage the builder. Loki shape-shifted into a mare and lured Svadilfari away from the work site, causing the builder to fail in completing the task. As a result, Loki became pregnant and later gave birth to Sleipnir, the eight-legged foal.
The Norns Viking Tattoo
The Norns are powerful beings responsible for shaping the destinies of gods, humans, and all beings, governing the past, present, and future. Usually portrayed as a trio, each Norn is associated with a different aspect of time.
Urd represents the past, Verdandi represents the present, and Skuld represents the future. Together, they weave the threads of fate, ensuring that everything in existence follows its destined path.
Jormungandrr Viking Tattoo
Jormungandrr, also known as the Midgard or World Serpent, is another of Loki and Angrboda’s children. An enormous serpent, he is large enough to encircle the entire world. During Ragnarok, Thor and Jormungandrr will do battle. Thor will kill the serpent; however, not long after his defeat, Thor himself will succumb to Jormungandrr’s poisonous breath, killing him.
This Video Game Tattoo is of Jormungandrr from the God of War 2017 Video Game.
Star Wars Viking Tattoo
If you love Star Wars, then check out this super cool Viking-themed Star Wars Tattoo. Star Wars is an iconic science fiction franchise created by George Lucas with the release of the original film, now titled “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” in 1977. This Tattoo Design features an Ewok playing the drums on Stormtrooper helmets.
The Ritual Viking Tattoo
The Ritual is a 2017 horror film directed by David Bruckner, based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Adam Nevill. In the movie, a group of friends encounters a cult that worships a beast which turns out to be a descendant of Loki. This beast keeps its worshipers in line through fear and offers them immortality in exchange for their devotion and sacrifices.
Hel Viking Tattoo
Last of the children of Loki, Hel is a half-living, half-dead figure that is the ruler of the realm of the dead Helheim. Fearing the potential of Loki’s children, Odin cast Jormungandrr into the sea of Midgard, tied Fenrir with the magical Gleipnir, and banished Hel to the realm of the dead, where she was given dominion over those who died of illness, old age, or non-heroic deaths.
Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr Viking Tattoo
Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr are the two goats that pull the chariot of Thor. The pair have the power to regenerate themselves as Thor often slaughters and cooks the goats when he is on a journey, using their meat to feed himself and his companions. After they are eaten, Thor can revive them the next day by blessing their bones, and they return to life, good as new, ready to pull his chariot once more.
Gullinbursti Viking Tattoo
Gullinbursti is a magical, golden boar from Norse mythology, known for being the steed and companion of the god Freyr. Gullinbursti was created by the famous dwarf brothers Brokkr and Sindri at the same time they created Mjolnir. The golden bristles that cover Gullinbursti’s body emit a bright, radiant light, allowing the boar to illuminate even the darkest places.
Where To Get Your Viking Tattoo
Design is one thing, but now let’s take a look at some of the best locations to get your new Viking Tattoo.
Chest Viking Tattoo
If you want to show off your Viking heritage or love with pride, there can be no better place to get a Viking Tattoo than the chest. The chest offers a lot of space on the pectoral muscle for men, allowing you to boldly wear your chosen design front and center of your body for all to see.
Viking Tattoo On The Back
If you want to go all out with your design, then the back is the perfect place for you. The back has a ton of space on a relatively flat plane, allowing your artist the freedom to make a highly detailed and expansive piece.
Viking Arm Tattoo
The arm is one of the most common places where people decide to get inked. This location is one of the least painful places for tattoos and is also one of the easiest to show off and conceal at a moment’s notice.
However, keep in mind that the higher the design goes up your arm, the more difficult it may be to show off if you don’t live in warmer climates.
Forearm With Viking Tattoo
The forearm is one of the best places to get inked for first-time tattooers. This location has a lot of muscle and fat that protects your nerves and bones, making it one of the least painful places to get inked. It is also extremely easy to show off and hide by simply rolling up or down your sleeve.
Viking Hand Tattoo
Lastly, while the hand may be one of the best places that allows you to show off your chosen Viking Tattoo easily, it is also one of the most painful places to get inked. With very little skin and close to the bone and your veins, it is going to be one of the least comfortable tattooing experiences.
Conclusion
So ends our quest after sailing the vast oceans of the Viking Tattoo. Now that we have pillaged some of the best designs, we hope that Odin has blessed you by finding the perfect design that speaks to you. But hey, if Viking Tattoos still don’t inspire, why not check out these Celtic Dragon Tattoos, these Medusa Tattoo ideas, or these Bear Tattoo ideas.
