Nordic arm tattoos stretch beyond designs featuring bearded and helmeted warriors armed to the teeth and spoiling for a fight.
The seafaring Scandinavians travelled so widely that their diaspora has had a huge influence on tattoo traditions and themes over much of Europe.
Nordic folklore and mythology continues to be popular as a base for literature, film, and body art; from the tree Yggdrasil to the giant wolf Fenrir, and even the mighty Thor, Nordic tattoo resonates for many people.
The following collection of Nordic arm tattoos showcases killer design ideas and ink application with a tremendous range of symbolic meaning that you can apply to your next tattoo idea.
1. Fenrir Tattoo Ideas
2. Forearm Tattoo Ideas
3. Full Sleeve Tattoo Ideas
4. Half Sleeve Tattoo Ideas
5. Tattoo Ideas for the Shoulder
6. Simple Tattoo Art
7. Upper Arm Tattoos
8. Viking Tattoo Ideas
FAQs
What symbols and themes are popular for Nordic arm tattoos?
With a focus on tradition, martial prowess, and the Norse Gods there are a range of awesome tattoo designs you can apply to your body art apart from viking warriors. These include:
- The Valknut. A Valknut tattoo is three interconnected triangles, whose name was coined by the Old Norse word valr , meaning ‘slain warriors’, and knut , meaning ‘knot’. It is assumed the Valknut is associated with death and the afterlife.
- Rune and Wyrd lettering. A Viking rune tattoo today refers to the Norse tradition of symbols that many believe held magical powers, which is corroborated by archaeological and anecdotal evidence.
- Viking Longship. Viking Longships navigated the fierce waters. When they rolled up on your shoreline with a crew of bloodthirsty warriors, you knew you were in for a bad time.
- Norse God Designs. A Norse God or mythology makes for great tattoo design. Odin and his raven flock, Thor’s hammer Mjolnir, Loki the trickster, beautiful Freya or the host of Valkyrie set to help a viking warrior to Valhalla. They’re rich characters filled with the attributes of the best and worst of humanity.
- Yggdrasil. Yggdrasil is an immense mythical tree that plays a central role in Norse cosmology, where it connects the Nine Worlds. It is similar in symbolic meaning to the tree of life, or the world tree.
- Vegvisir. Combining the Old Norse words vegur (way or road) and visir (pointer), the literal meaning of Vegvisir is to point the way. If carried, the Vegvisir would keep a person on track through storms and all types of bad weather, even if they didn’t know where they were going
What does a Fenrir tattoo symbolize?
Fenrir was the son of the trickster Loki and Giantess Angrboda. He was the giant wolf chained by the Aesir but fated to break free for Ragnarok and devour Odin.
According to writer Daniel McCoy, “Perhaps the Vikings thought that it is ultimately Fenrir who, in addition to killing Odin and destroying much of the world, will eat the sun and the moon during Ragnarok.”
McCoy also believes that many other mythological wolves such as Garm and Skoll were different reflections of the Fenrir legend.
Many Viking tattoo depictions of Fenrir include realistic or Norse traditional breaking free from his chains to wreak havoc.
What does a Mjolnir tattoo symbolize?
Thor, with his mighty hammer Mjolnir, was the patron God of thunder and war. He prized strength, honor and valor in battle above all else.
The Norsemen would invoke his name in prayers for the strength to cleave their enemies, as well as for protection: for themselves, and for their loved ones back home.
The Vikings observed all deities in their proper rituals and festivals, but Thor was one of the most popular.
Much of the Norse way of life revolved heavily around Thor’s area of influence over the natural world.
He was believed to grant victory to the brave and the strong, and to welcome them to his side in Valhalla after they’d fought their last battle.