Odin's Rune Blog - Learn more about Old Norse Culture

The brief history of the Ansuz Rune

The brief history of the Ansuz Rune

The Ansuz rune, also known as the A-rune, is part of the runic alphabet used by ancient Germanic and Norse people. In Norse mythology, Ansuz repre...

Why was Odin afraid of Fenrir?

Odin, the chief god in Norse mythology, was afraid of Fenrir, the monstrous wolf, because of a prophecy that foretold Fenrir's role in Ragnarok, th...

What were Shield Maidens in the Viking era?

A shield maiden was a woman who chose to fight as a warrior alongside Viking men during the Viking Age (approximately 793 to 1066 AD). While the c...

Did Vikings really Burn their Boats?

There is no historical evidence to suggest that Vikings routinely burned their boats as a strategic tactic, similar to the legend associated with ...

The story of the Vegvísir

Long ago, in the mystical lands of Scandinavia, there lived a humble but wise Viking named Erik. Erik was known throughout the villag...

What does the Word Pagan mean and where did come from?

The word "pagan" has its origins in Late Latin, where "paganus" originally meant "villager" or "country dweller." Over time, the term took on relig...

Where did the word Viking come from?

The word "Viking" is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "víkingr," which referred to a seafaring pirate or raider. The exact etymo...

The Meaning Behind the Uruz Rune

Uruz is commonly associated with the aurochs, a now-extinct species of wild cattle that once roamed Europe, Asia, and North Africa.

Explaining Bind Runes

A bind rune is a combination of two or more runic symbols (characters from runic alphabets) that are merged or "bound" together to form a s...

The Goddess Freya

Freya is a prominent goddess in Norse mythology, known for her beauty, love, and fertility. She is a member of the Vanir, one of the two main famil...

The Legend of Fenrir

In Norse mythology, Fenrir (also spelled as "Fenrisúlfr") was a monstrous wolf, and one of the most fearsome creatures in the Norse pan...

Who was the greatest Viking King?

Determining the "greatest" Viking king can be subjective and dependent on various criteria such as military conquests, political influence, cultura...