10 real Norse references hidden in Vikings you probably overlooked

If you’ve watched Vikings—the History Channel’s hit show that ran from 2013 to 2020—you know it’s way more than just sword fights, ship raids, and intense stares across longhouses. Created by Michael Hirst, Vikings became a global phenomenon not just because of its drama and action, but because it managed to pull us deep into the world of the Norse—into their beliefs, their stories, their gods, and the way they saw the world.

Over the course of six seasons, we watched the ascension (and frequently gory descent) of figures such as Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons. But what set the show apart wasn't so much the combat—it was how it incorporated actual history with Norse sagas and myth. It dropped in allusions to gods, rituals, and legends in ways that were so understated, in fact, that even hardcore fans may've overlooked a couple of them.

Now, to be fair, Vikings is not a documentary. It takes artistic liberties. But what is amazing is the fact that the show did not simply make stuff up—it actually collaborated with historians and archaeologists in order to remain rooted in actual research. Thus, though we had plenty of amusement, we had a glimpse of what life might very well have been like during the Viking Age—how people lived, what they believed, the way they felt about death, destiny, and the divine.

The team behind the show pulled from a ton of sources—from the Icelandic sagas and the Poetic Edda to newer archaeological finds. And what modern scholars are telling us now is that Norse mythology wasn’t one-size-fits-all. It varied across regions, clans, and even individual beliefs. And Vikings captures that sense of mystery and complexity—faith, myth, and daily life all blurred together in ways that feel both ancient and surprisingly relatable.

So let's get to it: we're exploring ten actual Norse allusions that are secret (in some cases, hiding in plain view) across the series. If you're a fan of mythology, a second screener, or just a viewer who gets excited about a good behind-the-scenes glimpse, these scenes are worth recognizing. They may even alter the way you perceive the show.

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10 times the Vikings honored Norse mythology

Odin as the Wanderer: Harbard's enigmatic arrival

Remember Harbard? That strange, almost magical man who shows up in Kattegat in Season 3? He’s not just some random wanderer. In fact, his arrival, strange demeanor, and that air of mystery about him are all nods to Odin, the Allfather himself.

In Norse mythology, Odin is known for taking on many forms, especially that of “the Wanderer,” a cloaked figure who roams the world seeking wisdom, often unrecognized.

Harbard's healing abilities, enigmatic speech patterns, and questionable morals all fit with the depiction of Odin in the ancient tales. He's not a straightforward hero or an outright villain—just incredibly complicated.

Vikings does not ever just straight-out declare Harbard to be Odin, but his behavior, particularly toward Aslaug and Siggy, reinforces strongly the mythological stories in which Odin seduces women who are mortal or acts in the life of warriors and kings.

It's that kind of moment where, if you're familiar with the myths, it all makes sense.

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Ragnar's Raven: Symbolism and divine descent

In Vikings, there's one symbol that just keeps following Ragnar everywhere—ravens. They're not mere creepy birds for dramatic purposes. In Norse legend, ravens are holy to Odin, who has two of them constantly by his side: Huginn (Thought) and Muninn (Memory). They fly off to explore the world and bring him news of what they find.

So when we glimpse ravens appearing here and there about Ragnar during pivotal scenes, particularly prior to fights or dramatic plot turns, it's not accidental. It's an understated but effective means of reminding us of Ragnar's alleged godly heritage.

He's portrayed in myth as being in line with Odin, and the ravens act as a sort of mythic endorsement—or perhaps even an omen that Odin himself is paying attention.

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The Seer: Reflections of Norse prophecy and shamanism

The Seer of Kattegat is most likely the most quotable character in the series. With his spectral appearance, cryptic messages, and strange rituals, he's basically the Nordic version of a prophet, drawing from something very real during that time period: seiðr.

Seiðr was a form of Norse magic and prophecy practiced by seers, men and women alike, although commonly associated with the völva, or the wise woman. The Seer’s blindness, his ritual tattoos, and the manner in which people approach him in reverence and awe all lead one to think of that very strong Norse belief in destiny and things not from here.

His prophecies are never definite, like in the old sagas; they're deep, symbolic, and frequently not realized until after the fact has passed. It's a beautiful—and somewhat disquieting—homage to the way the Norse thought about time, destiny, and the future.

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Sacrifice at Uppsala: Ritual and controversy

Season 1's visit to Uppsala is one of the most emotionally charged and memorable scenes of Vikings. The scene of human sacrifice is jarring, but it's not done strictly for dramatics. This is modeled on an actual (albeit disputed) historical report from a Christian author named Adam of Bremen, who alleged that mass sacrifices, including human and animal ones, were conducted at the Uppsala temple for the gods' worship.

Now, historians argue about how true Adam's account actually is. Some theorize that he overstated to portray the Norse as savage. But whether or not it is all fact, the series employs it as a means of examining how religion and ritual were embedded in the Norse lifestyle.

The Uppsala scene is an example, not only of the violence, but of the profound religious gravity behind the act. It indicates how far individuals would go to appease the gods and request their benevolence, even if it meant sacrificing something, or someone, precious.

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Yggdrasil and the vision of the world tree

At a few points in Vikings, particularly during visions or dream sequences, we catch a glimpse of a huge tree that appears to bind everything together. That's not only lovely set decoration—it's Yggdrasil, the Norse World Tree. It's the axis binding all nine realms of the Norse universe together and is at the center of their concept of existence.

One of the most obvious references to this is when Ragnar has a vision of himself suspended from a tree. That's an explicit reference to Odin, who, by myth, hung himself on Yggdrasil for nine days and nights to acquire the knowledge of the runes. It's gory, but richly symbolic.

Ragnar's vision indicates how far he's willing to go to endure in his quest for significance, understanding, and truth, just like Odin.

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Rune and the writing

Runes appear everywhere Vikings are—from weapons to rocks to talismans—and they don't exist merely to be cool. In Norse society, runes were not only an alphabet. They were said to possess magical energy, utilized for blessings, curses, and rituals.

And this is where it all comes back to Odin once more: it was he who found the runes, following his hanging from Yggdrasil and his immense suffering. So whenever we look at someone in Vikings inscribe runes or read them, it is not merely writing—it is accessing something holy. It illustrates how knowledge and magic were really inseparable in the Norse psyche.

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Shieldmaidens: Lagertha and the warrior women of the sagas

Lagertha is a favorite among fans, and it's easy to see why. She's tough, intelligent, and absolutely fearless. But she's more than a fictional creation—she's actually rooted in a legendary character from the sagas. It seems, according to those ancient tales, she was a battle-hardened warrior and former wife of Ragnar himself.

Whether or not shieldmaidens existed is still debated, but newer archaeological finds, such as the infamous Birka grave, in which a female warrior was interred with weapons, hint that they might have.

Vikings' presentation of Lagertha and other warrior women defies contemporary ideas about gender roles and indicates the sort of freedom and respect some women might have enjoyed in Norse society. It's mythology and (perhaps) history combined.

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The Thing: Norse law and assembly

You may recall images where the people come together to deal with problems, resolve conflicts, or elect leaders. That's the Thing—a genuine institution in Viking society. It wasn't exclusive to elites, either. Free men could voice their opinions, cast votes, and make their arguments.

The application of the Thing in the show points out how Norse communities weren't primarily all about raids and warfare. They had sophisticated systems of law, negotiation, and decision-making by consensus. It serves as a reminder that Vikings weren't unregulated; they simply had their own laws.

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Valkyries and the afterlife

In some of the fight scenes, particularly when characters are about to die, you may glimpse mysterious, ethereal women gliding through the mayhem. Those aren't dream sequences—they're supposed to be Valkyries.

Valkyries are also supernatural in Norse mythology and decide which warriors die and who is eligible to go to Valhalla. These subtle, haunting images are a gentle manner of bringing that faith to the surface. They turn the border between myth and reality around, much in the way that the Vikings did. For them, the supernatural wasn't somewhere far away—it was right here, inextricably woven in.

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Burial rituals and ship graves

Vikings did not take death lightly. The series does this lovely justice with its elaborate burial sequences, particularly the ship burials. These are not special effects. They're taken straight from genuine archaeological discoveries, such as the Oseberg and Gokstad ships, which contained the corpses of high-ranking people amongst grave goods.

The premise behind these tombs was that the deceased were embarking on a journey to the next world, and they had to be outfitted properly. Vikings doesn't merely emulate this; it respects it. From the music to the rituals, these moments illustrate how deeply the Norse respected death, remembrance, and heritage.