Viking Animal: Wolf, Bear, Dragon, Eagle, Cat, Etc. (Top #7)

Powerful, proud and legendary, the animal holds an essential place in Viking culture.

Many northerners were inspired by the qualities of courage and bravery demonstrated by some of these animals, and used their representations as powerful good luck charms.

The Viking animal is therefore a key subject for anyone interested in the history of this people.

Contents :

Introduction to Viking Animals

The wolf

The 8-legged horse

The Bear

The Dragon

Cat

The Eagle

The Bee

Introduction to Viking Animals

Symbol of protection, strength or courage, each of the Viking animals has its own particularities.

Sometimes Viking animals were not simply the "familiars" of the gods, but were independent deities themselves.

Others of these symbols were simply favored by the gods because of their characteristics and personality traits associated with them (much in the same way that many of us associate with certain animals).

Yes, we too can equip ourselves with a Viking lucky charm and feel the power of the animal that suits us best !

If you liked learning more about these animals, and the meaning of certain Viking symbols, don't hesitate to discover the rest of our site !

1st Viking animal: the Wolf

Uses of this Viking symbol as a lucky charm:

• Facilitate cohesion and teamwork
• Expressing pent-up resentment
• Increase the level of bravery

The wolf is a most enigmatic motif. As is often the case when we talk about a lucky Viking symbol, its meaning can be very different depending on the context.

Among the men of the North, the most famous of the wolves was called Fenrir, one of the most frightening monsters in Norse mythology.

He is the son of Loki and the giantess Angrboða, the brother of the great sea serpent Jormungand and of Hel, goddess of the underworld.

When the gods saw how fast Fenrir was growing and how voracious he was, they tried to hold him with chains... but the legendary Viking animal easily managed to break all the chains.

Finally, the blacksmith dwarves launched, with the support of the gods, an offensive of incredible power, thanks to which the gods managed to master the creature.

However, this had a cost: the hand of the god Tyr was torn off by the beast.

The gods placed a sword in Fenrir's mouth to prevent his jaws from closing for as long as possible.

From his open mouth, a river of slime would then flow which formed a river called Ván as long as Fenrir dreamed of his revenge.

Let us be careful: this mythological Viking animal is destined to escape one day, at the dawn of Ragnarok. In revenge, he will devour the sun and the moon, and may even kill Odin in this final battle. Not all wolves in Norse culture were evil (no Viking lucky charms would represent them if that were the case!)

Odin himself was accompanied by two wolves, named Geri and Frek i, who accompanied him in battle, on the hunt, and on his travels.

According to legend, it is this alliance between gods and wolves that allowed men and dogs to get along so well.

Many Viking symbols refer to combat and the art of war. The wolf does not fail to comply with this rule.

Perhaps the most famous type of Viking warrior is the berserker: a man "turned into a bear" and fighting in states of holy fury, with the aid and support of the spirit of Odin.

There was a similar type of warrior fighting among my Vikings called “ úlfheðnar ”.

This term actually means “wolf skin”. It is not entirely clear to historians whether this is a synonym or a separate category of berserker.

Some sources seem to suggest that the úlfheðnar fought more or less the same way, except that, unlike the berserker (who fought alone in front of opposing shield walls), the úlfheðnar preferred to fight in small groups (like of a wolf pack).

Let us point out, however, that we could never be certain on this subject.

Some say that it was these fierce warriors who were at the origin of the legend of the werewolf, and all the Viking symbols that resulted from it.

What we know with certainty, however, is that the wolf was sacred to Odin and that some Vikings said they could channel his spirit, to become “impervious to iron and fire”.

Whether this is true or not, there is no doubt that the Vikings demonstrated more than one prowess in battle, and that courage is no longer in doubt.

However, the wolf also has negative connotations in Nordic culture.

This Viking animal represents the destructive forces of time and nature, against which even the gods can do nothing.

Besides this, the wolf can also personify extremely important qualities, such as bravery and teamwork.

The wolf is therefore a complex symbol, each Viking lucky charm representing it can bring out the worst as well as the best in men.

Let us all note that it remains an extremely appreciated symbol of protection!

2nd Viking animal: the 8-legged horse

Uses of this Viking symbol as a lucky charm:

• Protection for travelers
• Improve communication
• Achieve what seems impossible to others

Sleipnir is an eight-legged horse associated with Odin.

It is considered by all skalds to be "the best of horses", and one of the most powerful Viking animals.

This qualifier is not surprising: Sleipnir would have the ability to cross the gates of Hel, cross the Bifrost bridge to Asgard, and travel the entirety of Yggdrasil and the Nine Worlds.

And he can do all this at incredible speed.

While most other gods ride in chariots, Odin rides Sleipnir. This mythological Viking animal has a very strange family.

It was conceived when the god Loki transformed himself into a mare to seduce the giant stallion, Svaðilfari. According to Viking mythology, Loki did this to blackmail the owner of Svaðilfari.

Therefore, Sleipnir is actually the brother of Jörmungandr, the serpent that coils the world, and the giant wolf Fenrir. Some researchers have hypothesized that the Viking symbol of Sleipnir was actually inspired by the “tolt” (a very particular way of walking that Icelandic horses have, which makes them very easy to ride).

Whether this is true or not is of little importance, the fact is that the legendary Viking animal of the eight-legged horse is a very ancient image, and deeply anchored in the imagination of the entire North.

This Viking symbol, or at least others very close to it, appear in the shamanic traditions of Korea, Mongolia, Russia and the Baltic countries.

As in Norse mythology, these eight-legged horses each provide a means of transporting souls across the worlds (that is, roughly, from life to the afterlife).

This Viking symbol has deep and mysterious roots. Indeed, archaeological discoveries date these representations to at least a thousand years before the appearance of Sleiplnir in mythology.

Sleipnir is therefore a legendary Viking animal symbolizing speed, security, perception, luck in travel, eternal life and transcendence.

It combines the attributes of the real horse (one of the most beneficial animals for human development) and the spirit of Odin's companion.

Logically, a Viking lucky charm representing this horse will provide us with some protection during our travels.

This type of object also has a special meaning for athletes and riders.

3rd Viking animal: the Bear

Uses of this Viking symbol as a lucky charm:

• Develop combativeness
• Courage in the face of the most difficult challenges
• Be a role model for others

The bear is a Viking animal that has left its mark on this culture forever.

Until the late medieval period, for example, the inhabitants of Greenland specialized in the export of polar bears and their fur to continental European cities.

Impressive in both its physique and its attitude, the bear was one of the most ferocious and powerful Viking animals.

The very sight of a bear in the wild easily makes the bravest of men recoil.

They are massive, fast and deadly. Their skin and fur are resistant to most weapons. It is easy to understand why the men of the North were fascinated by this legendary Viking animal and, throughout their history, sought to imitate them. Viking kings liked to surround themselves with symbols showing their power. Owning such a legendary animal was certainly the assurance of impressing other men.

Saxo Grammaticus (a lesser Danish historian of the Middle Ages) tells us, Lagertha, the shield-bearer, had a pet bear which she released one day on Ragnar Lothbrok when he came to court her.

The Bear was a sacred animal to Odin, and this connection inspired the most legendary type of Viking warrior of all time: the berserker.

Berserkers were true heroes who fought in a state of almost mystical frenzy.

This type of warrior has therefore been assimilated to the essence and spirit of this mythological Viking animal which is the great bear of Scandinavia.

The word berserker comes from two lots of Old Norse. One could be translated as “bear shirt” or “bear skin,” and the other means “to go wild.”

Combat experts, these men were inspired by all the ferocity, courage, strength and indestructibility of this Viking symbol.

The “bear skin” also teaches us an interesting historical fact: some Vikings used a bear skin as armor.

More than any other animal, the bear is therefore a symbol of Viking protection.

Regardless of his combat attire, the berserker was an exceptional fighter, who entered battles with a fury inspired by Odin himself. Instead of fighting in a line, as other Vikings did, the berserker sometimes moved to the front.

This almost crazy attitude which would have led any other fighter to certain death had a double interest.

His vision allowed all his comrades to remember that they were protected by the Viking symbol of the bear.

On top of that, by attacking enemy lines alone (often with gigantic and powerful punches), he displayed an absolutely impressive courage that terrorized enemies, and disrupted their cohesion. We therefore easily understand why the skalds sang the praises of these warriors, and described each of them as protected by the spirit of a legendary Viking animal.

Powerful, fierce, and inspiring men to courage, Viking animals like the bear were used to decorate houses, weapons and shields in Nordic culture.

After the description of the bear that we have just read, there is probably no need to add anything so that we understand the power and the interest of wearing a Viking lucky charm associated with this animal.

If this tickles your curiosity, you might be interested in this type of pendant (here, it is an ax blade) symbolizing strength and courage.

4th Viking animal: the Dragon

Uses of this Viking symbol as a lucky charm:

• Opportunities in risk
• Keeping treasures (knowing how to save )
• In some cases, symbolizing peace

The Norse have many stories of dragons and giant serpents to tell us. They also left numerous representations of this type of mythological Viking animal in their art.

The famous longships, comparable to the heart and soul of the Viking people, were even nicknamed “dragon boats”. This is undoubtedly explained by their elegant curves and their prows often decorated with a dragon's head.

These sculptures were sometimes removed to announce that the Vikings had come in peace. This is even recorded in some old Icelandic laws.

The images we have of this legendary Viking animal are most often taken from fantasy films. They are then represented with thick bodies and heavy legs.

Viking animals did not really have this appearance, which came more from a medieval heritage inspired by Welsh (Celtic) legends.

The first Norse dragons had a more serpent-like appearance, with long, coiled bodies. They sometimes have no wings, and only a few breathe fire. Some dragons weren't just mythological Viking animals: they were truly cosmic forces in their own right.

It wraps itself around the roots of Yggdrasil (the world tree), slowly gnawing away at them as it dreams of Ragnarok, the final battle that will take place at the end of time.

Jörmungandr (also called "the serpent of Midgard" or "the serpent that coils the world") is a mythological Viking animal so large that it is found in every sea in the world, and thus holds the oceans together by its mere presence.

Jörmungandr is Thor's archenemy, and they are destined to kill each other at Ragnarok. Fortunately, not all dragons were as big as the Viking symbol we just described.

Heroes like Beowulf faced the greatest challenges of their lives while battling such creatures.

Ragnar Lothbrok earned his name, his favorite wife (Thora), and accelerated his destiny by killing a giant venomous snake.

Fáfnir was one of the most interesting Viking animals, and his story will interest you.

Fáfnir was originally a dwarf, but through his greed and arrogance he was transformed into a fearsome, almost indestructible monster, who was plunged into an eternal sleep, and placed on a mountain of gold... until unless a too daring adventurer comes to wake him up.

This Viking symbol features one of the most frightening characteristics of dragons. He is not only big, powerful and difficult to kill: he also exhibits rare intelligence and unfailing cunning.

A true predatory animal from Viking mythology, the dragon presents both great strength and great danger.

However, its association with incredible treasures, or its role as princess kidnappers, make this legendary Viking animal a challenge to overcome to achieve certain objectives.

The dragon therefore becomes an allegory reminding us that all real opportunities are synonymous with risks. It is therefore ideally suited to serve as a good luck charm to anyone who needs the protection of this Viking symbol.

5th Viking animal: the Cat

Uses of this Viking symbol as a lucky charm:

• Attract and retain love
• Awaken desire
• Creativity in music and poetry

The Vikings believed that cats were the “flygjur” (this can be translated as pets) of the goddess Freyja.

Freyja (also spelled, Freyja) was one of the most fascinating and revered goddesses of Norse mythology. It is therefore not surprising to find so many Viking lucky charms referring to him.

Goddess of love, sex and romantic desire, Freyja is not just a Nordic version of Venus, far from it.

She is also a fearsome warrior, fighting with the wild boar Hildisvini, another mythological Viking animal.

Like Odin, Freyja has the power to choose which slain warriors were brave enough to return to Valhalla after their death.

Freyja had another thing in common with Odin: her association with magic and knowledge of the arcane. Freyja is said to have taught Odin much of what he knows of the secret arts.

She is also a lover of poetry, music and philosophical reflection.

Freyja is also a Viking symbol evoking prosperity and wealth.

Her tears turn into precious gold or amber. The very names of his two daughters recall splendor: one is called Hnoss (Precious), and the other Gersimi (Treasure). This Viking deity is also a symbol of fertility. Skaldic poetry also describes his sexuality as particularly unbridled.

She is often described as an object of desire not only for gods, but also for giants, elves, and men. When she's not riding Hildisvini into the heat of battle or transforming into a bird of prey herself, Freyja travels in a chariot pulled by cats.

This is one of the places of this Viking animal in mythology !

Some historians believe that the image of the goddess being served by such Viking animals represents the power of female influence, a recurring theme in Viking sagas.

We also think that the cat was associated with Freyja thanks to the character traits that they often demonstrate: cats are independent but also often affectionate, fierce fighters and deadly hunters but lovers of luxury and fun.

This Viking animal's relationship with the goddess of magic may be one reason why cats were associated with witches in the late Middle Ages.

As a Viking lucky charm, the symbol of the cat is supposed to attract Freyja, and remind us of the astonishing character of this goddess.

6th Viking animal: the Eagle

Uses of this Viking symbol as a lucky charm:

• Maximize your leadership abilities
• Clarify your vision of the future
• Find concrete goals

In Nordic mythology, Odin's famous ravens are not the only winged animals to populate the sky: the eagle also occupies a central place in boreal tradition.

In fact, it is even to him that the title of king of heaven would most likely go!

The most famous eagle in Viking mythology is undoubtedly Veðrfölnir. Let's clarify this to make things clear: in some legends, Vedrfolnir was not an eagle, but rather a "hawk standing between the eagle's eyes."

In short, this legendary Viking animal is presented to us as living at the top of the tree of life of Yggdrasil, flying above the worlds and observing everything that happens with a sense of pride and power.

Each of the animals that we have presented to you here try in their own way to express a facet of the wild spirit of the Viking people. It is the same with the eagle.

With its ability to soar above the lakes, forests and valleys of Scandinavia, this Viking animal was an inspiration. He taught men great lessons about the need to observe and step back.

The eagle is undoubtedly the animal which has the broadest and most encompassing vision of life. It's no wonder he hovers with such serenity.

In addition, this animal served as a Viking symbol for seers and shamans. For them, he represented a superior vision to which everyday men did not have access.

Anyone who enters into communion with one of these birds would therefore have access to visualization and projection capacities well above the average. ..

However, no one knows exactly where the eagles live. Hidden at the top of rocky peaks, their entire life is marked with the seal of mystery. Connecting with this type of being is therefore a challenge in itself.

For some of our elders, the eagle was also a symbol of inspiration and the desire to rise to new heights.

You will never know how powerful you are until you step out of your comfort zone. The image of the eaglet jumping from its nest into the unknown void is a perfect example.

With all the symbolism associated with it, the eagle became one of the most respected Viking animals. It also inspired the creation of numerous Nordic-inspired jewelry.

Most often, wearing a lucky charm in the shape of an eagle's head will be synonymous with a broader vision, a clarity in understanding the trials that life can throw our way.

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7th Viking animal: the Bee

Uses of this Viking symbol as a lucky charm:

• Connect with essential telluric energies
• Develop artistic qualities
• Simply get lucky

Like many other peoples of Antiquity and the Middle Ages, the Vikings used honey and beeswax for the precious virtues they possess.

The bee produces these two substances, they necessarily considered this little flying insect as very sacred.

Bees, true Viking animals, and their honey appear in many sagas, notably in the poetic eddas, where they are associated with Yggdrasil, the world tree.

The Vikings actually used honey as food but also as medicine. Long before modern science, the people of Northern Europe had already discovered the antiseptic and disinfectant properties of this almost divine substance.

In Viking oral tradition, it was also said that a bee landing on your hand was a lucky sign that good things were going to happen to you that day.

We also couldn't talk about the symbol of the bee among the Vikings without mentioning their famous mead!

An alcoholic drink made from honey, this drink was very popular among farmers, warriors and navigators of the North.

Many Viking myths teach us how, by offering enchanted mead to its targets, this or that deity was able to lower the defenses of its victim in order to seduce them.

In fact, the powers of this drink that bees offer us go well beyond simple intoxication: certain wise men of yesteryear readily attributed magical properties to it.

There is indeed a legend where Odin, the king of the Norse gods, offered a particular mead known as “ poetic mead ” to his fellows, but also to a few hand-picked men.

Known under the name of “poets”, these individuals would have obtained great powers, notably of metamorphosis, as well as a life extended by several centuries…

Another deity linked to this Viking animal that is the bee, Beyla is one of the servants of the goddess Freyja. Strongly linked to the land and crops, Beyla is sometimes known as the “goddess of bees”, due to her connection with these insects.

In short, when you see a bee flying near you, don't chase it and instead meditate on the meaning this animal may have had for the ancient Vikings!