Viking Gods and Rituals

Early Viking cultures were polytheistic which means they believed in the existence of many gods. The gods were thought to live in a place called 'Asgard' and if worshiped, they would bring good fortune and keep away evil forces.

The usual way to praise the gods was with sacrifices that were known as 'blot'. These blot happened at various times of the year including yuletide, the darkest time of year which celebrated the coming of a new year. They also made sacrifices in spring when the new crops were sewn and in summer if the crops were good. Although animals were usually used, human sacrifice may also have taken place from time to time.

The blood of the sacrificed animal was collected in a bowl and after singing some songs in honour of the god or gods being worshiped, the bowl was passed around a flame three times and blessed. The same thing was done with the meat then the priest would sprinkle those attending the ritual with the blood and pour what was left on an alter made up of a pile of stones.

Gods were usually worshiped in the open, usually on wild landscapes such as near swampy lakes, meadows, groves or hillocks. These places of worship were considered sacred ground and no violence was permitted upon them. Occasionally however rituals did take place indoors usually in halls or farm buildings but sometimes temples were built. Religion went hand in hand with the law so sacred places were also used for legal events such as trials.

Some of the more popular gods included;

Odin, god of war, wisdom, poetry and magic. Odin was the king of the gods and his two black ravens Huginn (thought) and Muninn (memory) would gather news of world events for him every day.

Thor, god of thunder. Thor was Odin's eldest son and the strongest of the gods who protected the others against their enemies the giants. He wielded a huge hammer called Mjollnir which would return to him when thrown like a boomerang.

The main enemy of the gods was the evil Loki, the handsome giant. He had great wisdom and cunning and it was believed he would lead the evil forces against the gods at the end of the world.

Around 1000 AD, the Vikings became Christian however they were well aware of the religion for long before this date. Olav Tryggvason was pivotal in the shift towards Christianity; considered one of the fiercest Viking warriors of his age, he had earned a reputation as a solder from his teenage years and became famous after defeating a group of Anglo-Saxons and destroying London Bridge.

After a hermit predicted a mutiny of his men he converted and set about converting other Vikings by any means he could find, including torture. In 995 AD he conducted the first Mass in Norway and died five years later while fighting some pagans. He was made a saint and his shrine was an important place of pilgrimage throughout the Medieval Period.