Vikings COSTUME Inspo: Animals

BIRDS & FEATHERS

Today we continue our raid of the Viking wardrobe, and celebrate both the spiritual and sartorial significance of birds, and feathers.

The raven was Odin’s bird; he had two (Hugin and Munin) on his shoulders who would occasionally fly down to be his eyes on earth. The Norse considered Raven feathers to be magical, & believed they could pick any lock, and perhaps even the lock to someone’s heart.

Odin could also turn himself into an eagle and fly to earth to drink the elixir of life, keeping him immortal and forever young.

Become a mighty bird!

SKULLS & BONES

Today we celebrate those other symmetrical animal inventions & awesome Viking accoutrements: skulls, & their attendant bones.

As the Buddhists remind us, mindfulness of death practices deepens our appreciation of our mortality - and paradoxically lessens death anxiety, and enhances our zest for living.

We also celebrate the way the Vikings sported the faces that once wrapped those skulls… whether fox or wolf, bird or bear…

FUR & HIDES
Last week we explored the ways Vikings adorned their flash with animal skins & leather. Today we love the way they so beautifully used the fur that protected it.

More images at https://www.pinterest.co.uk/foxandbadge/fb-202303-vikings/fur/ 

The word “fur” derives from the Old French forrer, meaning ‘to line, sheathe’.

Know what other word derives from the word to sheathe? https://www.etymonline.com/word/vagina