Viking culture is fascinating, so it’s not even surprising that so many historians, enthusiasts, and ordinary people are so fascinated by it. The Vikings left a huge heritage behind them, including the stories of their fearless actions, and of course, the well-known artifacts as inspiration for modern jewelry. These artifacts only confirm the fact that they were great in craftsmanship, building symbolic and cultural pieces through the years.
In this article, we embark on a journey to explore the secrets and untold stories behind Viking jewelry. How did these people come up with ideas to create those beautiful pieces, what they used, and how they used them? From thors hammer jewelry to different designs, let’s discover the beauty that lies behind every beautiful piece.
Vikings were passionate about ornamentation
The whole Viking culture is based on adoring themselves and the people they love with jewelry. Even though they were warriors, they always wore some ornament as a sign of self-confidence, expression, status symbol, or even talisman. Their jewelry-making skills were highly esteemed since they’re known for their craftsmanship. If you take a piece of Viking jewelry, you’ll see that they pay plenty of attention to the details, working with metals, and creating beautiful designs.
What the Viking jewelry reflects?
Source: awnl.se
There is so much symbolism behind the Viking-inspired jewelry. It’s always related to Norse mythology and beliefs. That’s why you’ll find motifs inspired by Nordic gods, legends, symbols, and even natural elements. These symbols often conveyed messages of strength, protection, fertility, and the connection between the mortal and divine realms.
It seems like Vikings learned their lesson to appreciate the world around them and nurture their culture and beliefs. As we said, they weren’t only warriors – they protected their culture and left something behind, to always be remembered – even in modern times.
Who made the Viking jewelry pieces?
According to well-known legends, the Dwarves were the ones who had extraordinary skills to take the materials from nature and turn them into something beautiful and wearable. They knew how to spot the best metals, and even the natural shapes, and incorporate them in their creations. So, we can be thankful to those Dwarves, no matter if they’re only a legend or if they indeed existed in the past. These tales emphasize the importance of dwarven craftsmanship and the extraordinary quality of Viking-era jewelry.
Why do they appreciate Thor’s hammer that much?
Thor’s hammer is probably the most iconic and widely recognized piece of Viking jewelry. Those who are into Nordic mythology know it’s named Mjölnir. Today, people wear these pendants as a symbol of protection and courage, as well as a blessing from Thor himself. These pendants were commonly made from metals such as silver or bronze and featured intricate engravings or knotwork, symbolizing the interconnectedness of life and nature.
So, it’s not even that surprising why Thor’s hammer is so important for the Viking society. It was worn by the warriors who expected protection from Thor but was also used in spiritual sessions. Not only Mjölnir protects the warriors – it also enhances fertility and contributes to people’s well-being.
According to the myths and legends, Thor used his hammer to protect his people from the giants. Also, it was indestructible, as even if someone put their hands on it, the Mjölnir always gets back to the owner – Thor. These stories showcase the power and valor associated with Thor and his mighty weapon.
Viking jewelry in today’s culture
Source: pinterest.com
Many people today love the Viking jewelry creation just because it looks beautiful and attractive. While the preserved authentic pieces belong to museums worldwide, jewelry creators use them as inspiration to create something beautiful for Viking culture lovers.
And when it comes to protecting Viking jewelry, many artifacts are already available to see in museums and galleries, so you can appreciate them while learning about their authentic and vibrant culture.
Also, you can find exceptional pieces even in contemporary jewelry stores. If you appreciate this part of history and love to wear something inspired by the Vikings, you can surely put your hands on something beautiful and valuable. Even popular jewelry designers often use the Viking culture as inspiration to create their next great pieces.
Other important Viking jewelry stories
If you’re deep into this topic, you know that Thor’s hammer is only a small piece of the rich history of Viking craftsmanship. And it’s completely fine if you want something else inspired by Nordic legends.
Let’s say, the Andvaraunt cursed ring belonged to a dwarf named Andvari. It was said to bring misfortune to anyone who possessed it. Still, Viking enthusiasts love the symbolism, and they will surely wear a replica of this valuable possession, even though it’s sometimes described as dangerous.
The next favorite piece is the Necklace of the Brisings, a magnificent piece also made by the Dwarves. This necklace was so exquisite that even the goddess Freyja coveted it. In order to possess it, Freyja agreed to spend a night with each dwarf. So, do you see how important this piece was, that even Freya wanted it so badly?
And surely, the magical necklace of the Goddess Gefjun is also an important Viking jewelry piece. According to the legend, she owned a piece of land granted by the Swedish king. She tricked him into believing her, but she took a piece of the land and threw it into the sea. Today, people believe that the island Zaland in Denmark is that particular piece, as there is a Swedish lake Vanern with a similar shape.
Source: surflegacy.net
Final thoughts
Knowing all these stories, it’s really understandable why people love Viking jewelry and the symbolism behind it. So, if you appreciate the Viking culture, and were somehow attracted to it all the time, we hope that this article makes things clearer to you. All these legends and stories surely contribute to the jewelry’s value.
It’s up to you to find your favorite one and wear it proudly. Who knows, maybe there is something behind those popular legends and you’ll be protected by the Nordic gods themselves.
