Vikings Cultural Traditions

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Viking Culture The Vikings’ culture had many traditions that formed to create a collective identity that, in turn, served to shape individual identities. Some cultural influences came from the roles of family members, religion, ceremonies, language and different animal symbols. There was also beautiful craftsmanship that was able to survive centuries for the modern world to see. Though the Vikings culture evolved with every time they plundered a new country, they kept many old traditions. The transition from boy to man never really changed and neither did the viking spirit to raid, find riches and accumulate territory. These cultural traditions helped to strengthen and unify many communities. The Vikings came from three countries of Scandinavia: Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The name Viking comes from a language called Old Norse and means “a pirate raid”. People who went off raiding in ships were said to be “going Viking”. The Viking age in European history was about AD 700 to 1100. …show more content…
Norse paganism was a folk religion (as opposed to an organized religion), and its main purpose was the survival and regeneration of society. Therefore, the faith was decentralized and tied to the village and the family, although evidence exists of great national religious festivals. Some Aesir (principle god's) include: Odin, Frigga, Thor, Loki, Baldr and Tyr. Some secondary gods are the Vanir: Njord, Freyr and Freyja. Odin lives in Valhalla (Hall of the slain), and he invites those who have died in battle; Freyja also invites those who have died in combat to her fields Folkvangr. Frigga is Odin's