However, Regin’s stepson was also ensnared by the ring, and ended up killing his stepfather, allowing the curse to continue. Heidmar became obsessed with the ring, and tried to keep it from his sons, but they had also heard the call of the magic, and eventually Fafnir murdered his father to take the treasure, before transforming himself into a dragon to protect the trinket.įafnir was eventually murdered by his brother Regin’s stepson, who he ordered to kill the dragon and steal its treasure. One of the items given was a gold ring, cursed to bring its owner death and misery. To compensate Heidmar for his loss, Loki gave him a treasure stolen from a dwarf named Andvari. The Norse god Loki killed one son, Otr, when he was disguised as an otter, to take his pelt. In this tale, a wealthy dwarf king named Heidmar had three sons with the power of shapeshifting. For instance, the dragon “Fafnir” slain by Sigurd was introduced in a story about the power of greed. Often, the presence of dragons in Norse mythology was used to teach a valuable lesson. One of the oldest and well-known poems written in Old Norse, Völuspá, includes a tale of a dragon. Stories of dragons appear in various legends, chronicles, sagas, and skaldic poems from throughout the Middle Ages in both Denmark, and Iceland. Perhaps the biggest link between Dragons and Vikings comes from a selection of tales from Norse mythology. Dragons in Norse mythology: The tales of Nordic Dragons What’s more, some customs dictated the dragon head be removed when Vikings were returning home from a voyage, so as not to disturb or anger any spiritual entities at home. Some experts believe Vikings even removed the dragon’s head from their ships during times when they planned to travel peacefully to other regions, as a way of putting others at ease. This image would announce the arrival of a tribe to a distant shore, and warn viewers of their destructive, and violent intentions. Viking vessels belonging to the highest-ranking Jarls in a Viking community were often distinguished with the use of a dragon’s head carving on the prow. While Vikings might not have believed dragons were a current threat to their communities, they did embrace the symbolism of the dragon, and the lessons taught by common myths and legends.įor Vikings, dragons were a badge of honor in some regards. However, one of the most common reasons archeologists and scientists connect Vikings with dragons, is because of the carvings found from the Viking era.Īrcheological discoveries of dragons on ships, staffs, and other decorated accessories from the Viking age demonstrate a clear connection between the Vikings and this ancient, magical creature. The presence of countless dragons in Norse mythology has inspired countless tales and popular media depictions over the years. There are a number of reasons why historians, academics, and experts often associate Vikings with dragons. Here’s everything you need to know about the history of Nordic dragons. As a result, many Vikings decorated their longships, shields, and other accessories with images of dragons to strike fear into the hearts of their enemies. Norse mythology dragons are powerful, magical creatures, seen to embody the concepts of chaos and destruction. So, did Vikings believe in dragons, and were Nordic dragons something the average Viking feared when planning for an adventure or journey? It’s difficult to say for sure. Countless dragons were depicted in Viking tales and Scandinavian folklore over the years, and some even helped to inspire some of the most popular works of fiction of all time. The presence of dragons in Norse mythology has shaped a lot of how we view these magical creatures today.
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