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

What were Shield Maidens in the Viking era?

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...

Who were the Valkyries in Old Norse Culture?

Valkyries are mythical female figures from Norse mythology, specifically associated with the Scandinavian and Germanic cultures of the V...

What is the meaning behind the Gebo Rune?

The Gebo rune, also known as Gyfu or Gifu, is one of the characters in the runic alphabets used by the ancient Germanic peoples, including the Nors...