Top 10 Viking Tattoo Ideas: Best Ideas For Viking Tattoos 

The fabled northmen, admired and feared by all they encountered. They lived to die, Valhalla was only reachable for a Viking who lost their life in battle. Honor and valor and discovery were the only values of these seafaring tattooed barbarians.

That is why we put together our list of the 10 Best Viking Tattoo Ideas, so you can tattoo your body with the same tattoos that these Vikings had years ago. Some tattoo designs remain the same while others have a modern twist that any Viking would drink to.

So, warm yourself in the longhouse, drink some mead, and thank Odin as you check out the 10 Best Viking Tattoo Ideas.

#10: Valknut Viking Tattoo

The Valknut, also known as Odin's Knot is a very popular viking tattoo. It is thought to be a symbol of the transition between life and death, which was basically where vikings lived the majority of their lives, on the edge between life and death.  A Valknut tattoo fits good in large spaces like the chest, or smaller places like the finger in the tattoo below.

Tattoo done by Ryan

#9: Viking Runes Tattoo

Viking Rune tattoos just look cool. Plus, most people don't know how to read them so you can get any word or phrase tattooed no matter how offensive or silly. The Rune tattoo below however has a very viking phrase tattooed, "Till Valhalla", because while most everybody is 'working for the weekend', Viking are working for the endless weekend.... the cold forever embrace of death.

Tattoo done by Ryan

#8: Thor's Hammer Hand Viking Tattoo

No item in Viking mythology is quite as famous as Thor's hammer. Wielded by Odin's strongest son, Thor's hammer is a classic Viking tattoo that even the average mortal will be sure to recognize. Bonus of having the hammer tattooed, is you never have to pick it up, which I've heard can be quite a godlike task...

Tattoo artist unknown, let us know so we can link

#7: Vegvisir (Viking Compass) Tattoo

Nothing matters more to a Viking than being able to navigate the seas... Well maybe fighting... Oh, and dying in battle.... Oh yeah, and getting drunk... Wait, of course honor... And, whatever, I guess the Viking liked a lot of sh@t. Point is they also needed to be able to navigate, how else would they find places to pillage to be able to do all that other stuff they like... maybe nothing was more important..? Either way, the Vegvisir (Viking Compass) is a great viking tattoo.

Tattoo done by Devon

#6: Viking Dragon Tattoo

Vikings believed life followed a circular pattern, destruction and rebirth, the dragon represented the destruction part of this cycle. And we all know how much Vikings love destruction, making this a perfect tattoo to honor histories human wrecking balls.

Tattoo done by AI

#5: Viking Berserker Symbol Tattoo

Berserkers were Viking warriors who would enter the battlefield in a state of ecstatic fury and rage. Believing they were empowered by the spirit of Odin, they brought joy to hearts of vikings and terror to their enemies.  They were known for "becoming the bear" and fighting alone ahead of the Viking shield walls. This Viking tattoo is cooler than a berserker's toenails, and their icy, cold, drug and rage filled hearts

Tattoo done by CC

#4: Odin's Viking Longship Ship Tattoo

The man, the myth, the legend.. (Holy sh@t, that actually works for this guy and isn't just straight hyperbole!) Odin himself. He gave his eye for knowledge, and he knows Odin is a kick ass Viking tattoo idea. His Viking longship traverses the sea assumingely on the way to pillage the crap out of some small seaside town... 

Tattoo done by Ryan

#3: Viking cover Up Tattoo

Don't like your current tattoo? Then, cover it up with a Viking tattoo!  The old Vikings used to cover their body in tattoos, so why shouldn't you? The viking cover up tattoo below shows just how great a viking cover up tattoo can look. So, Pillage your own coffers, and get covered in Vikings tats.

Tattoo done by Ryan

#2: Viking Back Piece Tattoo

What do the Viking swords, viking axes, and the Helm of Awe, have in common? They are all part of this bad ass Viking back-piece tattoo! Again, combining cool Viking tattoo ideas turns into another cool tattoo. Back tattoos can also be seen by your victims as they lie bloody and beaten on the floor, while you walk away with their treasure, their women, and their dignity... Viking AF.

Tattoo done by Ryan

#1: Valkyrie Viking Tattoo

The "Chooser of the slain", The Valkyrie combines all we love about vikings into one: Battle, death, Valhalla, and magic. And then adds something no Viking could resist, a strong, beautiful woman. Making the Valkyrie one of our favorite Viking tattoo ideas.

Tattoo done by Kenny

We hope you enjoyed our list of the 10 Best Viking Tattoo Ideas. What were some of your favorite Viking tattoo ideas? Any Viking tattoo ideas you think should have also been on the list? Let us know in the comments below.

Did one of these Viking tattoos inspire you to decorate your flesh like a Norseman? If so make sure to book your tattoo at Mr. Inkwells, where one of our amazing artists can design a tattoo that even the dwarves of Svartalfheim would be jealous of.

See you soon!