Viking Tattoo Ideas and Designs

Author:: Olga Zitner

Olga is an avid tattoo enthusiast. She has been an online writer for over nine years.

The Basics of Viking Tattoos

If you are at all familiar with Celtic and Scandinavian heritage, then you know that the Vikings were fierce and mighty warriors, who commonly sported long-braided beards, corneal helmets and… some wicked tattoos as well.

That makes a Viking tattoo a great choice for those who want to depict the virtues of courage, heroism, strength, and loyalty.

Common Colors

Most of those who get Viking tattoos get them in black or in dark shades. It's not the kind of design that would look good in hot pink.

One other option would be to use a brown-rad palette scale of hues for this kind of tattoo. That might give it the "mud and blood" look that Vikings were often known for.

Colorful tattoos of that kind tend to be a bit unusual. I'll show you some examples below, so you can make up your own mind about what you prefer.

Common Locations for Viking Tattoos

The #1 spot for having a Viking tattoo is the arm, and the upper arm specifically.

There is nothing more intimidating than seeing a vicious-looking Viking tattoo across a 28" bicep or a well-developed shoulder.

Other possible locations include the back—which is a wide space and so could fit a larger and more detailed tattoo—and the leg, which is where women tend to get Viking tattoos if they get them.

A Viking tattoo will often be adorned by symbolism related to the Viking heritage such as a wooden longboat, a skull, dragons, a helmet, shields, and the Viking weaponry of choice: axes, swords, and hammers.