The Norse pagan gods and belief system, also known as Norse paganism, were predominant in the Scandinavian regions during the Viking Age. This ancient belief system included a pantheon of gods and goddesses, as well as various mythological creatures and spirits. In Norse paganism, the gods played a significant role in the lives of the people. They were divided into two main groups, the Æsir and the Vanir, with the Æsir being the principal group of gods. Some of the most well-known Norse gods include Odin, Thor, Loki, and Freya. Odin, also known as the Allfather, was considered the chief god and the ruler of Asgard, the realm of the gods.
Both of the sets of beads above were from Birka 508. What is critical in this grave is the context. I had a total of 306 beads but ONLY 77 of them were worn near the brooches, the remainder were found near the feet. Photo credit to Historiska museet. Eventually, I will recalculate the totals with that type of context in mind.
Realistically, I think the answer should be Whatever they had that worked, but of course I always want further evidence to something less on the speculative side. Anglo Saxon beads from Sarre - there is symmetry in terms of shape attempted in some of these, but others are just glorious representations of lives lived.
Odin, also known as the Allfather, was considered the chief god and the ruler of Asgard, the realm of the gods. He was associated with war, wisdom, and knowledge. Thor, the god of thunder, was known for his immense strength and was often depicted wielding his hammer, Mjölnir.
Norse pagaj boiks
If you are wanting to upgrade parts of your early period kit, I cannot recommend enough that you consider trying something beyond "absolute" symmetry in your strands of beads for certain times and places. Why? Because often what we see is not a grouping of beads where the left and right sides of the strand can mirror each other identically. Frequently the beads in a single find are a scattering of types and styles.
Celtic finds, Migration Period, Viking Age. so many periods were the beads seem to be valued for their uniqueness, rather than "matching" in a mirroring sort of way. In some collections we see a possibility for balance in the stringing (we often do not know exactly how they were strung during life, and many reconstructions opt for at least balance in the overall look if exact symmetry is not possible), but not that mirroring effect.
I know that my first Viking strands were always painfully symmetrical, and they never really looked "right" to me. I was definitely over engineering. I am happier with the things that I make now, where I let different beads speak to me and get included for what each one brings to my mind.
Below are some examples of extant groupings of beads that show off balance (with out absolute symmetry) and and some collections that really are a delightfully chaotic mix of things that seem to speak more to me of the people and places from which these items came.
Many museums have beads online and its sometimes worth it to just spend hours surfing until inspiration hits (unimus.no, National Museum of Denmark, Saxon beads are also easy to track down. heck, this is the one time I am actually going to recommend surfing the hated Pinterest for inspiration).
Honestly? I would LOVE to see more of this type of work, these things that make the piece unique, in the modern world as well.
Birka 971. definitely balance was sought after here, but the beads themselves do not show absolute symmetry in size or type from left to right. Also, this one does something else I love, which a large grouping of a single color of bead and a few in the center that really are shown well because of the arrangment.
Eidem, Norway. Again, we have attempts at balance in that the largest are in the center and similar shapes go up the sides, but absolute symmetry is lacking. I find that this type of necklace invites me in to a try to learn more about it.
12th Century Novgorod - I love this. LOVE this. This could well have been a valued collection where each piece perhaps represented a milestone or precious gift to the wearer. The is beautiful as it is, even with its colorful chaos.
Pagal Lady of Peel necklace - Viking Age. This one is very famous and is absolutely not symmetrical. There is everything to love about it.
Anglo Saxon beads from Sarre - there is symmetry in terms of shape attempted in some of these, but others are just glorious representations of lives lived. Several have balance in the arrangement, but a couple are just wonderfully random.
This is a necklace I made for myself that is comprised of early Celtic types of beads. I did not attempt symmetry and honestly, could not love this more than I already do. It is completely unique.
Loki, on the other hand, was a mischievous trickster god who often found himself causing trouble for the other gods. Despite his mischievous nature, Loki was also considered a complex character and played a crucial role in many Norse myths and legends. Freya was a goddess associated with love, beauty, and fertility, and was often depicted with her chariot pulled by two large cats. She was also believed to have the power to choose half of the warriors who died in battle to reside in her realm, Folkvangr. Norse paganism also involved various rituals and practices. One such practice was the offering of sacrifices to the gods, which often included animals and sometimes even humans. These sacrifices were seen as a way to gain favor from the gods and ensure their protection and blessings. Norse paganism also involved belief in various mythological creatures and spirits, such as trolls, elves, and dwarves. These creatures were believed to inhabit the natural world and interact with humans, sometimes in helpful ways and other times in mischievous or malevolent ways. Overall, Norse paganism was a complex and rich belief system that shaped the lives and worldview of the ancient Norse people. Today, it survives in various forms, including in modern-day Norse reconstructionist movements and in popular culture through works such as the Marvel comics and movies featuring Thor and Loki..
Reviews for "Norse Pagan Influences in Modern Pop Culture"
1. John - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Norse pagaj boiks". The writing was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to follow the plot. The characters were also uninteresting and lacked depth, making it hard to feel invested in their stories. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious read that I couldn't wait to finish.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Norse pagaj boiks" based on the positive reviews I had read, but unfortunately, it fell way short of my expectations. The pacing was incredibly slow, and it felt like nothing of importance happened throughout the entire book. The author's writing style also didn't resonate with me, as it felt overly descriptive and lacked any real emotion. I struggled to connect with the story and found myself disinterested in the outcome.
3. Michael - 1 star
"Norse pagaj boiks" was a complete waste of time for me. The plot was incredibly predictable, and I was able to guess the ending within the first few chapters. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me confused and struggling to understand the setting. The characters were poorly developed, with most of them feeling like clichés and stereotypes. Overall, I found the book to be unoriginal and unengaging.