Inside: The coolest Viking tattoos and the meanings behind getting Norse themed ink.
I recently took a 23 & Me test and discovered I have some Viking lineage! Barely any, but it did get me looking into the history of Vikings. During my search, I learned how important tattoos were to these ancient warriors.
People with larger percentages of Viking blood must be very proud of it. They should be; it’s so cool! One of the best ways to honor your ancestors past is to get a tattoo. Since Vikings were all about tattooing… this makes getting a Viking tattoo all the more perfect.
So today, I have compiled the master list of Viking tattoos. Depending on the size and detail, these tattoos can cost anywhere from $50 to $3000 or more.
$3000 or more refers to someone who gets a full back piece or body tattoo. That is dedication.
But before we get into the tattoo ideas, let’s go over some of the meanings behind them.
Viking Tattoo Meaning
In Viking culture, getting a tattoo was often a symbol of strength. They would get tattoos dedicated to their gods, their families, and anything important to them. There are many more specific meanings for different kinds of Viking tattoos, but today I wanted you to get a general sense of their symbolism.
In today’s age, tattooing is still a very important way to honor your ancestors, so when you see someone with a Viking tattoo, know that is what they are doing. Every person has a unique connection to their Viking family, so you can ask them why they chose their specific design and what it means to them.
Without further ado, let’s jump in!
Viking Tattoo Ideas
First, I thought I would start you off with a good mix of different styles and ideas. These all fall under the Viking theme, but each brings something unique to the table.
1. Forearm Tattoo in Black and White
6. Red Ink with Detailed Knots
13. Nordic Knot
14. Family Tree
16. Odin in Black
17. Quarter Sleeve with Wolf and People
20. Realistic Viking Portraits
22. 40-Hour Sleeve
23. Leg Sleeve
26. Full Back Tattoo
27. Big Viking Leg
29. Viking Chest Piece Concept
30. Colorful Sketch of Compass
Black and White Viking Designs
I mainly see Viking Tattoos in black and white, but the list below is some of my favorite designs that I have seen so far. Take a look through these and see if there are any you like.
32. Cool Knot Tattoo Landscape
34. Simple Rune
36. Viking Boat
37. Dark Viking
38. Cute Compass Ink
39. Viking Woman
43. Viking Dragon
44. Dark Viking Boat
48. Viking Warrior
49. Viking Symbols
52. Holding Mjölnir
55. Cool Viking Ink
57. Gold Dragon
59. Dotwork Tattoo
Viking Compass Tattoo
Viking compass tattoos are one of my favorite designs. I have even written a whole article about this one specific theme, so check that out for more information.
61. Simple Rune Compass with Twisted Knot
63. Sharp Compass
70. Compass Sleeve
73. Simple Lines
75. 3 Lined Compass
77. Calf Compass
79. Full Compass
80. Lots of Roots
86. Stone Compass
88. Crow Cawing
90. Rune With Geometric Background
Nordic Viking Designs and Ideas
Continue the fun with these designs. I am obsessed with number 97. The line work and the detail…I love it! When looking through these, take your time to find the styles you prefer.
92. Man with Animal
93. Snake & Hatchet
94. Red Wolf
95. Large Back Sword
96. Matching Viking
97. Healed Viking
98. Viking Plant
100. Big Nordic Bird
101. Realistic Viking
102. Detailed Viking
103. Compass with Quote
104. Viking Back Style
105. Hand Runes
106. Arm with Viking
108. Viking Skull
109. Skull with Linework
110. Room Band
Awesome Viking Tattoo
Next up, we have some of the most awesome Viking designs you will ever see! They are not only unique, but they are full of raw emotion.
111. Rune Compass on Leg
112. Blue Eyes
113. Themed Sleeve
114. Three Triangles
115. Neck to Arm Tattoo
116. Powerful Viking
117. Viking with Birds
119. Creepy Realistic Man
120. Wolf in Light & Dark
121. Bird with Compass
122. Braided Beard
123. Matching Tattoos
124. Detailed Rune
125. Angry Wolf
126. Artistic Woman
127. Fish Ink
129. Compass Eye
130. Strong Woman
131. Scary Fish
132. Bear Hat
134. Celtic Knots
135. Tattoo for Woman
136. Lightning Viking
137. Quarter Knots
138. Scalp Tattoo
139. Yelling Viking
140. Upper Sleeve
Viking Designs for Men
Next up, we have some tattoo designs that are more geared toward our male audiences. Take a look at these ideas and decide which ones suit you best.
141. Dark Tree Ink
142. Negative Space
143. Tri horn
144. Manly Sleeve
145. Plotting Man
146. Dark Warrior
147. Skeleton Woman
148. Soft Woman
149. Compass with Grey
150. Full Colorful Woman
151. Family Tree Ink
152. Strong Woman
153. Viking Art Work
155. Chest Tattoo
156. Dragon Circle
157. Viking in Battle
158. Dotwork with Color
158. Viking Boat
159. Full Back Tattoo
160. Icy Stair
161. Beard Design
162. Dark Tree
163. Tiger in Thick Line
164. Simple Words
165. Stoic Woman
166. Viking Bird in Black
167. Viking in Hands
168. Sun in Runes
169. Compass with Runes
170. Detailed Compass
Best Viking Designs
One of my favorite things about Viking Tattoos is the raw emotion you feel from even the simplest of designs. These tattoos below are no exception to that rule.
172. Funky Wolf
173. Dark Compass
174. Bird on Man’s Head
175. Clean Runes
176. Scalp Designs
179. Breathtaking Strong Woman
180. Rune Sketch
182. Red and Grey Ink
183. Wolf with Knot
184. Rune Magic
185. Real Viking
186. Dark Bear Ink
187. Beautiful Woman
188. White Eyes
189. Realistic Viking with Shade
190. Bird on Scalp
194. Clean Hand Tattoo
195. Man Crying
196. Odin in Style
197. Battle Seen
198. Compass, Viking
199. Hatchet
200. Viking Fox
Epic Viking Tattoo Ideas
Now…this list is one of the best in this article. It is full of some of the most epic Viking tattoo ideas that you will ever see. What are you waiting for? Look!
201. Hooded Odin
202. Interesting Odin
203. White and Black
204. Rune
207. White Wolf with Blue Eyes
208. Heart Tattoo
209. Big Rune Ink
210. The Rune Tree
211. Compass with Birds
212. Red with Snakes
213. Beautiful Rune Woman
214. Big Thigh Piece
215. Skull Rune Design
216. Snowy Neck Tattoo
217. Sketched Compass
219. Viking Show Actor
220. Dark Viking Sleeve
221. Cool Rune Tattoo
222. 2 Hand Tattoos
223. Absent Space Sleeve
224. Detailed Beard
225. Buff Viking
226. Shoulder Tattoo
227. Rough Rune Stone
228. Dotted Ink
230. Little Guiding Rune
Dark Viking Designs
These are some of the darkest designs I have seen, not only in theme but in color as well. Notice how they use light and dark to bring their image to you!
231. Owl with Rune
232. Bird with Wings
233. Dark Runes
234. Half Man Face
235. Epic Half Sleeve
237. Simple Art Style
239. Viking Staff
240. Delicate Dark Little Tree
241. Smirking Viking
242. Negative Space Face
243. Woman Warrior
244. Twisted Soft Beard
245. Brooding Lady
246. Rune Sun Compass
247. Sharp Toothed Skull
248. Triangle Horns
249. Battle Ship
250. Dark Yelling Viking
252. Horned Helmet
253. Viking Child
254. Double Sleeves
255. Blue Shield
256. Thor Odinson
257. Sea Serpent
258. Tattooed Warrior
260. Beautiful Man
Must See Viking Ideas
Lastly, we have some of the most must-see Viking tattoos on this list. From beginning to end, these are my absolute favorites. Check them out!
261. Tiger Wearing Viking
262. Army of Vikings
263. Runic Tattoo
264. Full Pant Sleeve
265. Light Dotwork Rune
266. Bear Odin
267. Wolf with Rune
269. Light Runes
270. Dragon Circle with Triangles
271. Flying Bird Tattoo
272. Unique Viking Ink
273. Rune with Circle
275. Braided Beard
276. Valhalla’s Door
277. Bull’s Skull
278. Rune Stripe
279. Viking Palm
280. Two-Headed Raven
281. Viking Triangles
And there you have it! I hope you loved learning a little bit about Viking tattoos and that you found some designs that you really loved. Remember that this is just a broad article about this kind of tattoo.
Each different design can have its own symbolism that is important to the person who got it.
If you are interested in looking through some more tattoo ideas, I have you covered… Covered in tattoos! Ha! Okay sorry. I just crack myself up. Happy tattoo hunting.
I'm Victoria Hudgins, a seasoned professional in the field of home decor, which seamlessly complements my artistic passion for tattoos. With nearly a decade of experience as a tattoo stylist, having designed at some of the world's top tattoo studios, my dual expertise helps to fuel my creative inspiration.