The Viking Horned Helmet
The modern image of a Viking can be described as a large and buffed man with
battle gears complete with a horned helmet. The horned helmet is a popular icon
related to Vikings. It has been a symbol for power although it is believed to
be mainly used as a head protection during a battle. The horns that in Viking
helmets are basically considered as an adornment. During 789 A.D., horns are
considered as a decoration in most part of Western Europe. Horns are believed
to be as symbol virility, potency and masculinity of the bull.
Horned helmets are actually of Celtic influence. Some bronzed helmet buried
in Visko, Denmark in 1976 where related to Vikings and shows a pair of curved
horn adornments. This particular relic may have been used in ceremonial offerings.
The actual evidences of the existence of horned helmets are often related to
ceremonial events and not during the Viking's actual warfare. There are no exact
proofs and evidences that horned helmets are used by Vikings during their raids
and battles.
A typical helmet used during battles is a simple hemispherical headgear with
a face guard. To date, actual Viking horned helmets are yet to be discovered.
Helmets are believed to be used by Viking chieftains who also wore armors. Other
historians also suggest that chieftains wear horned helmets as a symbol of their
rank.
During the Bronze Age, there were evidences of the existence of horned helmets.
A cauldron was discovered in Zealand, Denmark that shows an image of a helmet
with stag antlers as horns. This relic is also believed to be related to ceremonial
sacrifices.
A portrayal of a Viking with a horned helmet and spears was illustrated a 5th
AD metalwork which originated from the Swedish coast. The image was thought
to be a Viking complete with battle gears with a horned helmet who worshipped
their god in a ceremonial dance.
Figures of horned helmets continue to appear in a lot of relics that are mostly
found in regions of England. Proofs and figures of the existence of horned helmets
are commonly discovered in burial sites, cauldrons, decorative plates, tapestries
and amulets.
Original Authors:
Jennifer Tumanda
Edit Update Authors: None
Updated On: 05/12/2006
