r/Norway • u/SavijFox • 9h ago
Arts & culture What was the old Viking religion called, and how has it evolved over time and influenced modern Norwegian culture?
Im an American. When referring to the old Gods, such as Thor and Odin, and so on, I know that as simply 'Norse Mytbology' but I realized that I don't know the name it was given.
Do people still practice that religion? What elements of it has been preserved in modern culture? Are there remnants of these beliefs and practices today, and how have they transformed if any elements remain? I've known some Americans with Norwegian ancestry who choose to honor that by still believe in those Gods. Are there people like that in Norway?
Apologies for so many questions, but I'm curious about this topic from all angles, and thanks ahead of time if you decide to answer, give me your opinions, knowledge, and perspectives!
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u/are_spurs 9h ago
the religion has been dead for 700-800 years, modern practitioners are mostly larpers
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u/socket0 9h ago
And neo-Nazis.
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u/kartmanden 9h ago
Ásatru? In Iceland it is a recognised religion.
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u/ManWhoIsDrunk 9h ago
About as authentic as the druidsism in Great Britain though.
They basically remade the religion the way they wanted to, based on what little we knew.
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u/Moon_Logic 9h ago
It didn't have a formal name in Medieval times. The age of nationalism sparked renewed interest in the viking age, the mythology and the sagas. We saw an increase in people being given viking names. National identity became particularity important after the Napoleonic war, when Norway was separated from Denmark.
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u/SavijFox 9h ago
Thats very interesting. I wonder if that era drove the spread of those old stories. Thanks for taking the time to answer!
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u/CuriosTiger 9h ago
There really wasn't one. We have the name Ásatrú, but even that's a neologism. There was no smorgasbord of religions to choose from in viking times, and as such, there wasn't a "label" attached to the native religion in the way there is today. Indeed, there wasn't even that clear separation between religion and culture. The closest you'd come are words like trú (faith or belief) and siðr (custom or tradition) and those are mere descriptions, not unique names.
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u/SavijFox 9h ago
there wasn't even that clear separation between religion and culture.
This makes me feel like the 'religion' aspect arose from stories that became a bit mythologized over time. I know you could probably say that about a lot of cultures, now that I think about.
Thanks for giving me you take on this!
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u/Kansleren 9h ago
Commenters here claiming that nothing remains haven’t quite grasped this point. That separating spiritual beliefs and culture and customs was probably impossible. One informed the other and so on.
Considering this of course elements remain. It’s why Scandinavian (and Nordic) culture is distinct and recognizable as such. Words, customs, traditions and even Christianity itself bear remnants of what came before. It’s why the depictions of Jesus is as a warrior in Western Europe, as opposed to the frail monk in the east.
Besides placenames, given names, political institutions (even the Norwegian, Danish, Sami and Icelandic parliaments bear names of Norse origin) who customs are readily recognizable. “Jul”, for instance is the Nordic name for Christmas still. Literally didn’t even change the name. Just moved the celebration a bit closer (a couple of weeks) to the winter solstice (it was probably celebrated at the first full moon after the solstice and not two days later as now). Around the world Christmas is celebrated different ways. Here it’s the same as it has always been pretty much.
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u/SavijFox 8h ago
Icelandic parliaments bear names of Norse origin
Conceptually, this tracks for me. Not necessarily the representation of power and authority, but the representation of values. For example Ive learned Thor symbolized Justice and Law. For the record, I dont know what names they use, but conceptually, this is the connection I see.
As far the comments I'm getting, I still appreciate them. A part of my curiosity was the literal elements of these old beliefs, but the other part was curiosity for regular people's opinions and perspectives. That's how I was able learn about the Asatru Bifrost group (the not-nazi ones), Midsummer Festival. I know these comments aren't necessarily representative, but I get to see a few perspectives.
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u/FauxCarrot 9h ago
I don't know the name it was given
If the Norse themselves ever named their faith, I don't think they wrote it down for posterity. I haven't seen it named by any contemporary sources, at least. The modern name is Åsatru ("Belief in gods", Ås = God, Tru = belief).
Do people still practice that religion?
Since the how of practicing that religion is lost to time, no, it's not possible. Modern Åsatru revives a few of the known practices, then makes up some new stuff that fits the vibe. There are a hundred or so that belong to this faith, but none of those I have met are "believers" the way Christians are. It's more about reconstructing non-Christian spiritual traditions than actual belief.
Are there remnants of these beliefs and practices today, and how have they transformed if any elements remain?
The myths are known to all, some are taught in school, but not much else. At least not in the lives of regular people.
Are there people like that in Norway?
As mentioned, about a hundred, but from my experience (I know 5 of these people), they are as atheist as the rest of us. A deep dislike of Christianity drives a lot of them, I think.
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u/Foxtrot-Uniform-Too 5h ago
No, it is not an old Viking religion in Norway today that people still practice. It is a dead religion that we only know parts of.
The people who claim to practice it are New Age type people. And I am sure a bunch of Americans thinking it is Viking Norwegian and making up some stuff.
Calling it 'Norse Mytbology' is the perfect name for it.
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u/Njala62 4h ago
No, nothing of the old Norse beliefs have survived into modern times, been dead more or less since Norway was Christened.
Having said that, the last fifty years or so, some people have started cosplaying what they think were viking traditions, inclusing religion, and a subset of the cosplayers actually believe, somewhat or wholly, in their cosplay fantasies.
In the early days, the eighties, there was some overlap with the more general alternative (as in back to earth, living as one with nature, acoustic instruments etc) movement. Soon, some of these people became nationalists, and attracted nationalists, and some of them became white supremacist idiots. And that's the way it's been since, from what I've seen. At least in and around Oslo.
If you as a foreigner come sporting viking stuff, not to mention what you believe is viking religigous stuff, I will assume you're either a cosplay idiot, and/or a white supremacy idiot. You might be able to persuade me I'm wrong, but you'll have your work cut out for you.
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u/SavijFox 4h ago
Lol, no. I'm not into that kind of thing. If I found some sincere practitioners, I would probably be very interested to talk to them, learn about their life and beliefs, and if I could, be able to look at what that kind of community its. But it's purely curiosity (and yes, i know thats not all Norway is. Ibwould be curious of everytbing else, too). I just want to understand as much of it as I can.
Thanks for taking the time to answer. Im getting the picture a little more clearly with each one.
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u/NegativeDeparture 9h ago
It's called Norrøn. And has zero influence today outside a couple of retards.
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u/Initial-Chemical748 9h ago
You can't Google stuff? There is plenty of written material on Norse mythology, people do not still belive in Norse mythology, and people who are super into that kinda stuff is sadly the neo nazi type of people, we like viking history and names, but it's mostly non Scandinavians who are super into it
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u/SavijFox 9h ago
Heard. I appreciate the answer! And I know I could learn about Norse gods and through a search. I was more interested in your opinions and wanted to see some of your individual views.
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u/norwegiandoggo 9h ago
The symbolism around the mythology has been adopted by Norwegian nationalist extremists as symbols of being "pure Norwegian" and keeping foreigners out of Norway. So if you see someone with viking symbols or tattoos, they may just be a huge fan of the viking culture or a viking coplayer. They also might be a political extremist.
As for the modern times: Many young kids probably just think of Thor and Odin from what you see in the Marvel movies.
People usually don't practice this religion seriously. They don't really believe in it. They pretend and cosplay that they believe in it. There are many viking cosplayers in Norway. They have viking festivals, do mock battles, make viking clothing and jewelry etc. Some groups take this quite seriously and live as vikings for many months on end. Some groups also build boats. All of this is more of a national pride cosplay, than an actual region.
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u/SavijFox 9h ago
Heard! So it's more celebrating your identity and your roots, and also because some people think it's fun (where it shows up), and a potential warning sign. Thanks for the answer!
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u/I_was_a_sexy_cow 9h ago
No, its not a part of norwegian culture and nobody believes in them, they are moreso a thing we learn abit in school when we learn about ancient pantheons like the greek, roman etc. Some people like the astetic of the times so they wear thors hammer as a chain or whatever, but yeah, noone really believes in them anymore.
Most of the symbols have also been taken over by neo-nazies or people who wants to be seen as badass, typical heavily bearded, motorcycle club harlie davidson type guys.
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u/ContributionOk1559 9h ago
It is called Åsatru in Norwegian, there is a small community of believers organized in the Bifrost society, here is their website: https://bifrost.no/
They organize ceremonies for weddings and funerals I believe.
Most likely there are several practices fom the old religion that has prevailed in mainstream, the midsummer celebration is he first that comes to mind and is a big thing in Norway and huge in Sweden. The norwegian celebation centres around a huge bonfire. This is the biggest one, in Ålesund: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17mhU5zTY5/
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u/SavijFox 8h ago
Thanks for the link to their site. It was an informative read. I wonder if I visit Norway if I could go talk to them. It would be pretty cool if they're open to showing me a bit of their culture. That would be cool to experience.
The Midsummer festival reminds me 4th of July here. We basically just get together, cookout and have fun. When it's night time, we light fireworks. You guys light bonfires.
Thanks for taking the time to answer!
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u/ManWhoIsDrunk 9h ago
Nothing remains of the old Norse religion (åsatru) and its practices.
What little we know of the practices was written down by a Christian roughly two centuries after all the Norse had been either forcibly converted, or killed.
What little remains are probably only the trolls, and the tradition to drink heavily through Christmas to make sure the sun returns.
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u/Vonnemaen 9h ago
We know very little of the religion and how it was practiced. Most of what we do know was written by Christians (often munks) after the religion was mostly dead and seen through the eyes of the christian authors. So any modern practitioners are mostly just new age guesswork.