I have always been interested in Norse mythology and the Viking Age, mainly because of my maiden last name, Norris. My name is derived from the Norman-French pre-10th century word “Norries”, which refers to the Norsemen or Vikings. Long before the epic shows came on the History Channel or streaming services, Viking Lore has been an interesting topic; plot twist, not every Viking wore helmets with horns. Logically, they would probably get in the way on the tight ships and in battle if everyone was wearing them.

Many people dismiss the Vikings and what they stood for because they were pagans and were assumed to have brought nothing to our table in modern times; however, this is incorrect. Yes, they were pagans, but they were much more than that, and they have a lot more in common with us today than you would think.

The Vikings may have had a lot of customs we would not practice in modern times, but when they merged with the Christians and converted, they did not leave everything behind. In fact, a lot of what we celebrate during the winter and Christmastime actually came from the Viking culture.

Here are 5 things we celebrate at Christmas that came from the Vikings:

Santa/Father Christmas

Okay, hear me out. I am not saying that St. Nicholas, who gave to the poor during the 3rd century was not a great influence, but the magic of Santa can be seen in the stories of Norse mythology and how we perceive the original Santa to be. 

Odin was considered to be the “All Father”. He was the Big Daddy of Norse Mythology and was described as an old man with a beard, dressed in a hat and a cloak. It was said that he would often ride through the winter night sky on his eight-legged horse named Sleipnir while dropping gifts to good people below. If you were bad, well, you did not get coal, you got Odin's wrath. He was also known to have a sleigh instead of a chariot like other gods. 

Did I mention that Odin also had magical dwarves who could make amazing gifts, Mjolnir being one of them? Many historians even give credit to Odin as being the first Santa or Father Christmas, sounds about right.

Jul (Yuletide)

Long before Christianity made its way to the Vikings and their Nordic regions, people celebrated the winter solstice each December when the days were short, and the nights were long. They would get together with friends and family to share in this 12-day festival called the “Jul” or what we know it now as “Yuletide”. This celebration was fun, food and drinking, of course.

Christmas Elves

According to Nordic folklore, the “Nisse” is a mythological creature associated with the winter solstice. They pretty much look like your average garden gnome, equipped with the little hat and all. They live in the stables and barns of the family homestead and watch over and protect those who live there. Be nice to them and they will have your back and be nice to you. Be a jerk, and they will wreak havoc. Elf on a Shelf perhaps?

Christmas Trees

The Vikings were lovers of nature. They worshipped trees; in fact, the Scandinavian evergreens were believed to be a special plant from Baldr, which was a promise of new life. In old Norse tradition, the evergreens were often decorated with runes, food, little carved statues, and other gifts. It was believed that the spirits who lived in the trees left during the winter, so these gifts were offerings to get the spirits to come back.

Mistletoe

The legend of mistletoe is a fun one. According to Norse mythology, Odin and Frigg had the most beautiful child, Baldr, the god of light, goodness, and the summer sun. Baldr had a dream that we would die and Frigg was desperate. She visited Air, Fire, Water, and Earth to secure an oath from each one that nothing that grew in earth would bring harm to her son. She was too specific though, and mistletoe was missed because it does not grow from the ground (“in earth”) but on a tree. 

So, Loki, being the kind of god he was, took it upon himself to fashion an arrow out of it. While the other gods were having fun throwing things at Baldr (since he could not be harmed), Loki gave the arrow to the blind god of winter, Hoder, who shot Baldr with it, and killed him. 

Frigg was devastated and the skies went pale and all things in earth wept for days. Frigg’s tears of sorrow fell on the red mistletoe berries, turning them white, which resurrected her son. In her joy, she kissed all who passed under the mistletoe.

There are many other Winter customs from the Vikings that are still celebrated at Christmastime today, but these were some of my favorites. As an added bonus, I have given you the days of the week, just in case you did not know they were also inspired by the Norse, you’re welcome:

Sunday:          Sol, goddess of the sun; Sol’s day.

Monday:        Mani, goddess of the moon; Mani’s day.

Tuesday:        Tyr, god of war and justice; Tyr’s day.

Wednesday:   Odin, the Raven God, also known as Woden; Woden’s day.

Thursday:      Thor, god of strength and storms; Thor’s day.

Friday:            Frigg, goddess of marriage and family bliss; Frigg’s day.

Saturday:       Okay, not Norse, this was for the Ancient Romans; Saturn’s day.

Hopefully this gave you some fun insight on how the Viking culture still lives on in our modern times. God Jul (Happy Yuletide)!