This paper will cover the Vikings’ religion, from being thought of as Pagans, to converting to Christianity, it will also include their deities and other beliefs. The Vikings, also referred to as the Norse, were thought of being Pagans because of their traditions but they then slowly converted to Christianity after being introduced to it. Even though they were thought of as either Pagans or Christians, they still had their own gods and goddesses and mythology, which is what makes Viking religion really riveting. They have a somewhat complicated and misunderstood religion, although, like most religions, it just changed over time.
Vikings as Pagans
Not much is known about pagan religious practices in the Viking Age
What is known comes from their stories and the references to Pagan gods
The Edda was a collection of two literary works (title page photo)
Stories have survived because they were passed off as just myths
Traditions and practices were similar to those of the Pagans
Like Pagans, they had human and animal sacrifices as part of their practice
Volva, women who had prophetic gifts (similar to the “witches”)
Converting to Christianity
Vikings came in contact with it …show more content…
I think they had an extremely rich history and intriguing topics that I had never know about. The Edda seemed very interesting, where metaphor, parable and allegory was used and was essential. What was really alluring was that it referred to many mythical characters and places in riddles, the whole poem may even have been written like a riddle. Norse religion is one of the most interesting type of mythology and could be compared to Greek and Roman mythology. Thor and his hammer, Mjölnir, is one of the Norse stories is told over and over again for centuries, just like the stories of the Greek, for example, Zeus. The human and animal sacrifices may have been a bit too much, but otherwise, their religion and beliefs seem to be
Vikings as Pagans
Not much is known about pagan religious practices in the Viking Age
What is known comes from their stories and the references to Pagan gods
The Edda was a collection of two literary works (title page photo)
Stories have survived because they were passed off as just myths
Traditions and practices were similar to those of the Pagans
Like Pagans, they had human and animal sacrifices as part of their practice
Volva, women who had prophetic gifts (similar to the “witches”)
Converting to Christianity
Vikings came in contact with it …show more content…
I think they had an extremely rich history and intriguing topics that I had never know about. The Edda seemed very interesting, where metaphor, parable and allegory was used and was essential. What was really alluring was that it referred to many mythical characters and places in riddles, the whole poem may even have been written like a riddle. Norse religion is one of the most interesting type of mythology and could be compared to Greek and Roman mythology. Thor and his hammer, Mjölnir, is one of the Norse stories is told over and over again for centuries, just like the stories of the Greek, for example, Zeus. The human and animal sacrifices may have been a bit too much, but otherwise, their religion and beliefs seem to be