The Viking Dragon Blog
Norse Gods
5 Common Viking Names & Their Meanings
The name a parent bestows on their child can be one of the most important early gifts they give. Names have power, as many folkloric and religious traditions will tell you, and deciding on a name h...
Asatru
5 Interesting Viking Rituals Explained
The world of the Vikings is often depicted in media as dangerous, violent, and uncultured; the Vikings are often the savage raiders who appear from the seas to attack the protagonists. The truth is...
Norse History
A Short History of the Vikings
There’s a common misconception that the term Viking refers to a particular ethnic group of people. This isn’t true; “Viking” was a profession and collective culture that encompassed people from acr...
Asatru
Viking Runes & Meanings Explained
You’ve probably seen Viking runes before - the strange, straight-lined symbols that populate Viking media and decorate shields and ships. While they may look confusing and mystical, the reality of ...
Norse History
Trade, Raids and Cultural Exchange: Vikings in the Mediterranean
If you asked a Northern European in the 11th century what they thought about the Vikings, you’d probably hear that they were violent, pagan raiders. However, travel further South and you might disc...
Norse History
Female Viking Warriors: Facts vs Fiction
Though the overwhelming majority of Viking warriors depicted in TV, movies and museums are men, in recent years pop culture has become increasingly fascinated with female Viking warriors. From Lege...
Norse History
Surviving and Thriving: How the Vikings Conquered the Cold
Living in Scandinavia and settling in some of the coldest habitable regions on Earth, the Vikings were masters at overcoming long, dark winters. But without electricity or central heating, how did ...
Norse History
Venturing West: The Vikings’ Route to America
We all know that the Vikings were some of the most skilled seafarers of their day. Medieval Norsemen ruled a vast network of trading outposts and settlements, as well as full-blown colonies far fro...
Norse History
The New Year’s Festival with Viking Roots
No one is quite sure how the Vikings welcomed in the New Year. In fact, there is a debate among historians as to exactly which month marked the beginning and end of the Viking calendar. But while w...