Did you ever study the Vikings at school? Nazi Germany maybe? The Middle Ages? These areas of history are, on the surface, pretty distinct. However, they are, in some ways, much more connected than you may think. The Vikings were a Norse people from Scandinavia who were around from 800 CE to the 11th century. Over time, a very clear image of the Viking warrior has been created in film, TV, videos games and many other types of media. However, this classic image of a strong warrior with a horned helmet is not an accurate depiction. In fact, many ideas about Viking culture are misconceptions. These sorts of inaccuracies happen all the time as figures from history get distorted and move further away from the truth. But in this case, the distortion of the truth is rather more disturbing. Throughout the 19th and 20th century, extremist groups began to use historical narratives, such as the idea of a strong warrior Viking race, to bolster their nationalist beliefs. In Germany, some believed that Germans were descended from this strong Viking race and that socialism and Jewish people were polluting this heritage. This idea fuelled Adolf Hitler's belief in a 'perfect aryan race' and anti-Semitism in Nazi Germany. This spinning of history is sickening and wrong but has unfortunately continued. Today neo-Nazis and other extremists' groups continue to co-opt Norse symbolism and culture. This phenomenon is deeply disturbing, and ultimately dangerous therefore it is essential that we reacquaint ourselves with the hate symbols used by hate groups and Viking history so we can look at this phenomenon more critically.

On January 6th, 2021 a group of insurrectionists stormed the Capitol building in Washington D.C. In 2017 a Unite the Right rally took place in Charlottesville, Virginia. A year later, another Unite the Right rally took place which soon turned violent. At these events Norse symbols were everywhere. Tattooed on bodies and held on flags Norse symbols have been used to represent the white supremist values of those taking part. As more traditional hate symbols such as the Swastika have become recognisable as a hate symbol, these far- right extremists have been forced to find new ways of identifying themselves. The sonnenrad or sunwheel is a lesser known symbol used by the Nazis but that appeared first in many other cultures, including Old Norse culture. The symbol, two concentric circles with crooked rays emanating from the inner circle to the outer circle, sometimes appears with a swastika in the centre but often the centre is filled in and therefore may be less immediately recognisable as a hate symbol. This is just one example of how the far-right has, and continues, to co-opt symbols used by other cultures. The Nazis often used runes to represent things such as the SS (a paramilitary organisation in Nazi Germany). Some of these runes are still used today by neo-Nazis as they are less recognisable as hate symbols. Neo-Nazis even use numbers as 'coded' symbols. For example, the numbers 88 stand for "Heil Hitler" as the later H is 8th in the alphabet. These, perhaps, less well known symbols are being seen more often and increasingly, alongside other symbols from Norse culture. The Norse symbol Valknot is often linked to the god Odin and the glory of death in battle however it is often used by white supremacists as a sign that they are willing to give their life to Odin. 

Furthermore, Norse culture has been used and referenced by many far-right extremists. The perpetrator of a mass shooting in Norway in 2011 named his guns after the weapons of Norse Gods. The mass shooter responsible for the Christchurch, New Zealand shooting in 2019 where 49 people were killed, drew many allusions to Valhalla and other elements of Norse culture. Clearly, this goes much deeper than just 'borrowing' a few symbols. Norse culture is being stolen, misrepresented and then used to justify repulsive acts of violence. However, what makes this 'trend' more repellent and frustrating is how false it is. As I mentioned, far-right extremists have distorted the truth and they have distorted it a lot. The Vikings were definitely were not 'racial pure' or cultural extremists.

Racially, the Vikings were an amalgamation of many different groups of people. They came from across Scandinavia and other areas such as Scotland and Ireland. Their society was based around equality and their polytheistic beliefs exemplified this as they had many Gods, all worthy of the same worship. While the Vikings were often raiders and warriors (more on that later) they were also farmers. Iceland was settled by the Vikings in the 800s CE with the first major settlement appearing in 874 CE in what is now modern day Reykjavík. People moved there from all over the Nordic world and the subsequent community was a mishmash of fascinating people. By around 930 CE Iceland had developed into a commonwealth of 36 principalities with each principality having a chieftain who represented them at the Althing (the assembly of free men). Iceland was clearly a developed, well organised and civilised society. In fact, many great works of Norse literature came out of this Icelandic settlement. The Prose Edda was compiled in cerca 1220 CE by Snorri Sturluson and is an incredible record of Norse mythology. The Prose Edda is just one example of the amazing literature being produced at the time. If you want to find out more about the Prose Edda and other Norse literature you should listen to this amazing podcast which was actually the inspiration for this whole article! Alongside producing great works of literature, the Vikings were well travelled. They went to the edges of the Americas and all the way down to Constantinople. Vikings are vastly more complex than we give them credit for!

However, they were warriors too. The Viking raid on the island of Lindisfarne, just off the Northumbria coast, in 793 CE sent shock waves through Europe as the Vikings attacked the sacred heart of the Northumbria Kingdom and desecrated the 'very place where Christian religion began in our nation'. This attack was the beginning of England's very difficult relationship with the Vikings who continued to plunder their coast for years. However, it is important to remember that this was only one side of Viking culture. Furthermore, some symbols synonymous with the Viking warrior are also not as they seem. For example, the classic horned helmet worn at every Halloween party and at the January storming of the Capitol, is a fabrication. In fact, there is no evidence that the Vikings ever wore horned helmets. The story goes that a costume designer for a theatre production was worried that the helmets worn by the actors weren't visible from the back of the theatre so they added horns! I could sit here all day and debunk myths about the Vikings and tell you all about how they had female warriors too and all sorts of other fascinating things! But I won't. 

Instead I will encourage you to go out and rediscover the Vikings and their fascinating history. We cannot sit by and let far-right extremists and white supremacists rework history. It's imperative that we look at the full picture not the distorted one given to us by Hitler and others seeking the rewrite history for their own benefit. Hopefully, the next time you happen across these hateful symbols and the horrendous rhetoric and story attached to them, you will understand the context and you will be armed with one of the most powerful tools against hate - truth.