The reality of the horns in the Viking helmet

The reality of the horns in the Viking helmet

In most of the modern paintings, documentaries or films we have seen, our ferocious Nordic warriors are portrayed armed to the teeth and well protected with armor and their famous helmets.... With horns?

The truth is that these so-called helmets have never been found in the Viking sites. The reality is that it was an invention to exaggerate the violent and cruel image that these great warriors projected on their enemies.

Achievements and skills

So much so that we have idealized an image very different from what our Nordic ancestors really were. For example, we thought they were dirty and filthy, but they were just the opposite. They liked to wash and bathe, took great care of their appearance and both the hair and beard were well trimmed, in addition to carrying tattoos.

There is also the false myth of being illiterate. However, they developed their own art and a refined literature that is still kept today.

The Vikings had many achievements. Both for his great ability to build boats, the drakkar, and when sailing, something that fascinated the whole world. The trade routes of these navigators were opening up very fast thanks to their great expeditions.

The myth of the helmet with horns

The truth is that no sites have ever been found where there was a trace of these famous helmets with horns. With their armour, they sought to protect themselves as well as to be light when fighting. Are horns on the helmet useful? Not at all, I'd just get in the way of the fight.

That's why we have to eliminate this false myth about these warriors. More specifically, Viking helmets were usually made of iron joined with leather and their original shape was conical or rounded. Even more sophisticated ones partially protected the face.

The most common, made of leather and furs, were typical of Viking warriors who could not afford a metal helmet as each warrior maintained himself.

In reality, these helmets with horns were taken from a legendary work by Gustav Malstrom, in order to give a terrifying and violent image of the Nordic warriors. Thus reaching popularity with the premiere of works of opera in which their Viking characters were wearing these helmets. That's why with time this armor has been linked to the Nordics in films, theatre or other diverse performances.

Who knows, maybe some warrior whose name we don't know was able to carry two fascinating horns in his helmet, but what we are sure of is that his mead was tasted in large horns where it was kept cold.

And you? Do you prefer the horned helmet or the mead drinking horn?

Tell us about it!