/r/Norse

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r/Norse is a subreddit dedicated to the academic discussion of Norse and Viking history, mythology, language, art and culture.

Heil ok sæl!

/r/Norse is a subreddit for academic discussion of Norse and Viking history, mythology, language, art and culture.

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Verið velkomin!


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Sidebar last updated on August 22nd, 2023. Rules are subject to change at the mod team's discretion.

/r/Norse

141,728 Subscribers

5

What does Njord being "marked for odin" when he dies mean?

Reading about Njörðr's death and I have no idea what being marked for odin means

"Njord died on a bed of sickness, and before he died made himself be marked for Odin with the spear-point"

What is this mark supposed to be?

2 Comments
2024/11/02
22:44 UTC

20

Proto-Norse: "Death of the Year-king"

5 Comments
2024/11/01
19:54 UTC

13

Call for content: Join the first issue of the Norse digital zine!

We're excited to announce the launch of the first-ever rNorse digital community zine, and we need YOU to make it happen.

Whether you're an artist, writer, poet, photographer, or creator of any kind, we want your work featured in this inaugural issue! Here's your chance to showcase your talents and be part of something special in the rNorse community.

What we're looking for:

  • Period appropriate art & illustrations
  • Articles
  • Translated poetry
  • Photography
  • Reenactment show & tell
  • Anything else that fits the spirit of our community!

Submission guidelines:

  • Written pieces: 500–3,000 words
  • Poetry: One stanza minimum
  • Artwork & photography: High-resolution images
  • Citations and references: For any factual claims, data, or quotes, please include appropriate citations and references. This is not an academic journal, but we expect sources to be credited properly for accuracy and integrity.
  • Subreddit rules apply.

How to submit:

Don't miss out on this chance to contribute to our first-ever digital zine! Whether you're a seasoned creator, translator, academic or just want to share something new, we welcome all submissions.

3 Comments
2024/11/01
09:08 UTC

9

Translations, runes and simple questions

#What is this thread?

Please ask questions regarding translations of Old Norse, runes, tattoos of runes etc. here. Or do you have a really simple question that you didn't want to create an entire thread for it? Or did you want to ask something, but were afraid to do it because it seemed silly to you? This is the thread for you!


Did you know?

We have a large collection of free resources on language, runes, history and religion here.


Posts regarding translations outside of this thread will be removed.

5 Comments
2024/11/01
07:01 UTC

13

Leg wraps and baggy pants

If this is the wrong sub. Please send me a DM with the correct one to direct me to.

I have a question.

In the video from Mike Everest regarding leg wraps and how to apply them. He mentions that those with baggy pants use a tubing system to wrap the wool cloth on.

I haven't found anything that shows that. Or I'm looking in the wrong parts of the 'net.

I did get rusvik baggy pants since I like the style.

10 Comments
2024/10/30
21:49 UTC

5

Prose and poetic eddas

Longtime fan of Norse mythology and Viking culture, what are the best translations of the eddas you can recommend and are there ones that have some vintage illustrations?

6 Comments
2024/10/30
18:18 UTC

3

Sources for learning about the usage of runes

What are some sources for learning about how runes were used in Norse society? Yes, I know, broad question but I didn't choose it! :) I suppose generally it's use and spread as a basic alphabet, but also it's use in artwork, and - by the suggestion of my supervisor - if the Norse attached any spiritual or magical significance to it. The last part I've heard skepticism towards before, but I obviously can't claim that I'm up to date on the field.

If anyone has any sources on rune-using remnants in isolated communities after the decline of its use in general Scandinavian society, that would also be hugely helpful. I know it survived on Gotland until the 16th century, and in the Dalarna region as far as the 19th, but can't find anything in detail.

7 Comments
2024/10/30
14:45 UTC

15

A new interpretation, of Rök runestone

In this link I have posted my paper on a new interpretation, of Rök runestone.

https://independent.academia.edu/TomDukefoss

I have focused on the stone as an eulogy, and reinterpreted some word splits, sentence break and phonetical equivalent, while retaining the original established Runes.

But the actual process of releasing a paper properly, I found to be just too arduous, and the quality isn't scholarly enough. However I hope this can inspire other to reinterpret, or make an improved version.

I am especially proud of the new coherent story and its improved poetic meter. And the format is clearly laid out so you can compare every rune to its phonetical and English equivalent, and color coded the difference from standard translation. This makes it easier to critique the translation, so bring out your torches 🔥😅

11 Comments
2024/10/30
12:31 UTC

4

Contemporary prose fiction writer and or poets deeply influenced and indebted to old Norse poetry?

Any help with this?

4 Comments
2024/10/30
11:41 UTC

16

Norse Farmer Best Clothes

I am building a persona for my re-enactment group of a Norse Farmer. I want to create an outfit that has a farmer would wear on his best day. I know there is several differenet types of Norse/vikings Styles but I am looking for a very generic type a average farmer would use for his best day(such as maybe a wedding or ceremony).

Also what would be typical colors a farmer would wear, especially travling to the market? I know that every farmer would not have access to dyes due to lack of finances.

What would be the most common jewelry a farmer would wear(if anyone) and what design a farmer(not viking) would use?

Lastly, can anyone suggest what would a average defensive weapon(especially traveling the woods) a farmer would wear?

5 Comments
2024/10/29
23:49 UTC

73

A question about the Shetland Islands

I'm reading about Jarl Einarr Rognvaldsson (Torf-Einarr) and I have some doubts about the Shetland (Hjaltland in old norse) archipelago. Did Einarr, the lord of Orkney, really conquer the northernmost islands, or did they remain free for a while longer? Before becoming part of ancient Norway were they an independent kingdom or jarldom, or were they a land of many chiefs? Is there, or was there, any saga or chronicle that tells the story of the Norse specifically of Shetland? Any records of any badass Vikings who came from these islands?

1 Comment
2024/10/29
09:34 UTC

0

Where did Norsemen learn interlace? Who taught them?

Same as the title.

13 Comments
2024/10/29
00:17 UTC

14

Are there digital cookbooks that display Viking and medieval recipes?

Hello everyone,

I am interrested by the viking age and medieval times (north western of europe), so mutch so I am reconsidering to get into the world of reenactment and am researching music instruments, clothes, etc from that age. One of the topics I wish I knew more of is food from that time. Like what did they cultivate, what dishes did they make, are there any cultural relevance of some of the dishes etc.

There might be physical cookbooks that gives recipes and what not, but due to a visual impairment it is hard for me to read books. Are there any sites, yuoutube channels or digital cookbooks I could consult?

Thank you all in advance!

7 Comments
2024/10/28
20:57 UTC

19

Call for papers: 14th Háskóli Íslands Student Conference on the Medieval North

Greetings everyone!

The Háskóli Íslands Student Conference on the Medieval North is accepting abstract submissions from current postgraduate students (masters and doctoral level) and early career researchers working in the broad field of medieval north studies.

The conference will be hybrid, hosted online via Zoom and in person at the Edda Auditorium at Háskóli Íslands, Reykjavík, Iceland.

This year, we focus on the theme of OTHER THINGS.

Please submit abstracts of 250-300 words to histudentconference@gmail.com by December 2nd, 2024. If you have any questions, feel free to send us an email. :)

For more information:
https://histudentconference.wordpress.com/2024/09/23/2025-call-for-papers-and-posters/

0 Comments
2024/10/28
18:30 UTC

58

New Carver - Used Iron Ore And Linseed

I just got into wood carving and I’m hooked! I like hand carving for the historical aspects of it so decided to finish one of my first carvings here in iron ore and linseed. Nothing else. I read an academic report that this would have been a common “stain.”

3 Comments
2024/10/27
22:14 UTC

37

What species of domestic animals did the viking age Norse people keep? What would they have looked like?

The question is basically the title. Is this even possible to know?

41 Comments
2024/10/27
00:27 UTC

6

Pronounciation of ⟨v⟩

Hi all!

I just had a question about how ⟨v⟩ — or ⟨ᚢ⟩ when in those positions — may have been pronounced. Wikis phonologically write it as /w/, whilst most people, including Jackson Crawford (I know he has an accent so it's not 100%), pronounce it as [v].

For the past while I've been thinking that it might be the labio-dental approximant [ʋ].

So, is there a scholastic consensus on how this may have been pronounced? I know there's no certainty, but I'm curious if there's an estimate established and if I was close with my [ʋ] guess.

Thanks!

12 Comments
2024/10/26
20:44 UTC

1 Comment
2024/10/26
02:29 UTC

110

Dan Carlin’s Twiligjt of the Aesir is a great listen on the Viking era if anyone is interested!

Half way through the first 6 hour episode.

20 Comments
2024/10/25
18:12 UTC

13

did the old norse use makeup?

and if so, how did they make it?

16 Comments
2024/10/24
23:39 UTC

38

Was Hel a pleasant place for those who did not die in battle?

I keep running into texts that use Hel and Niflheim interchangeably, but is Hel a dark cold place too?

33 Comments
2024/10/24
21:07 UTC

8

Was angroboda blue?

Pretty much title.

29 Comments
2024/10/24
17:07 UTC

23

Sources for accurate information about Norse runes and symbols?

I'm tired of the insane amount of false information and need help finding good sources. Is there a good book for this stuff? The internet seems to consist of nothing but lies and mixing things up.

Help is greatly appreciated.

9 Comments
2024/10/23
22:34 UTC

31

Call for content: Join the first issue of the Norse zine!

We're excited to announce the launch of the first-ever rNorse community zine, and we need YOU to make it happen.

https://preview.redd.it/h3x57ziavgwd1.png?width=470&format=png&auto=webp&s=7b0a0fb1185586c84dbe9afe56d0f1157589998b

Whether you're an artist, writer, poet, photographer, or creator of any kind, we want your work featured in this inaugural issue! Here's your chance to showcase your talents and be part of something special in the rNorse community.

What we're looking for:

  • Period appropriate art & illustrations
  • Articles
  • Translated poetry
  • Photography
  • Reenactment show & tell
  • Anything else that fits the spirit of our community!

Submission guidelines:

  • Written pieces: 500–3,000 words
  • Poetry: One stanza minimum
  • Artwork & photography: High-resolution images
  • Citations and references: For any factual claims, data, or quotes, please include appropriate citations and references. This is not an academic journal, but we expect sources to be credited properly for accuracy and integrity.
  • Subreddit rules apply.

The theme for this issue is Yule and winter but don’t worry—this isn’t a strict requirement :-)

How to submit:

Don't miss out on this chance to contribute to our first-ever zine! Whether you're a seasoned creator, translator, academic or just want to share something new, we welcome all submissions.

0 Comments
2024/10/23
08:31 UTC

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