Vikings Cared About Personal Hygiene
If someone asked you to picture a Viking, what would come to mind? Probably someone who doesn’t… bathe regularly? Who always looked neglected and dirty? Vikings typically had longer hair and beards, but they were rather clean people who took measures to take care of their appearance. There was no personal hygiene neglect going on back then.
Grooming tools and equipment have been uncovered over the years to prove this. Combs, brushes, razors, and even ear swabs were discovered, and they were used by both men and women. Having poor personal hygiene is just one of many myths about Vikings.
They Never Wore Horned Helmets
There has never been any evidence discovered by archaeologists that would prove the Vikings wore horned helmets. This might have come to life through someone's wild imagination. An imagination that has constructed the Viking's appearance forever. Anyway, they did wear skullcaps, which were obviously intended to protect their skulls from any impact.
The idea of the horned helmet came about during the 19th century; however, it was Richard Wagner’s (yes, the German composer) cycle of four operas that implanted the horned helmet image into our imaginations. The Vikings will forever be related to these horns, something that might have never existed.
Weekdays Are Named After Viking Gods
With the exception of Sunday and Monday, the names for the days of the week came from the Norse gods. Tuesday comes from Tiu or Tiw, which is the Anglo-Saxon name for Tyr. Tyr, the god of war. He was one of the sons of Odin, or Woden. This is where Wednesday came from.
A name we are all probably most familiar with is Thor, the God of Thunder, which is how Thursday came to be. Friday derives from Frigga, Odin’s wife, which represents love and beauty. Saturday comes from Saturn, who was the ancient Roman god of fun and feasting.
Vikings Weren’t as Big as They are Portrayed
Most of us think that Vikings were all very large and tall. In images or TV shows, they always appear to be bigger, bulkier, or fatter than average. However, according to historical records, the average Viking man only stood at about 5’7. The Vikings bleached their hair with a special soap, seeing as this color seemed to be ideal within the Viking culture.
The short summers are to blame for their somewhat short stature. This is because, with shorter summers, they had fewer resources and not as much food. Many raids would follow so the Vikings could obtain more resources.
Death in Viking Culture
When the Vikings passed away, they believed they would go to Valhalla. Before Christianity came to be, Valhalla was considered to be the Vikings' eternal paradise. The belief was that there were warrior-women goddesses who would search battlefields after wars for fallen heroes. Warriors who were considered to have died bravely would be carried by these women to Valhalla.
Another place they believe people would go to is Helgafjell. This is where people would go if they lived a very fulfilling life. Lastly, someone who died dishonorably or in an inappropriate way would go to a place called Helheim, similar to hell.