Viking bangle and Viking bracelet

Viking bangle and Viking bracelet

Bangles and bracelets, like rings, necklaces and earrings, are pieces of jewelry that have accompanied people for a long time. Earlier, arm ornaments were made of twigs or grasses, and later they were made of leather and metal.

Vikings often wore jewelry in the form of religious symbols, which had a personal meaning for them. Arm ornaments used to serve both decorative and practical purposes. Viking warriors used wide bracelets to protect their arms, while others wore them to protect themselves from evil spirits.

What materials were used for a Viking bangle and Viking bracelet?

- leather
- Silver
- bronze
- Brass
- copper
- Gold
- Lead tin alloy

What did the Viking bangles and Viking bracelets look like?

Although there are many examples, Thor's hammer Mjölnir was by far the most popular Viking symbol. In the Viking archaeological record, there are more than twice as many Mjölnir symbols as all other symbols combined. Thor was a symbol of protection, as he was considered a protector, and also of a warrior's strength, as he was considered the strongest and best warrior. Besides Thor's hammer, other symbols were also embossed in the arm ornaments. Animal images such as dragons or ravens (Hugin and Munin) were also popular.

Why were leather bracelets so popular with the Vikings?

Leather was once a commonly used material for making jewelry. It could be easily shaped, bent, and molded to fit the body. It was also possible to emboss patterns on it. Larger pieces of leather were often used to make bracelets, while smaller scraps were used to make leather straps to which pendants could be attached and thus worn as necklaces.

Which Vikings wore bracelets and bracelets made of metal?

During the Viking Age, men and women often wore jewelry, mainly made of bronze and silver. Very wealthy Vikings also wore jewelry made of gold. Men wore leather bracelets as well as arm rings. This was an important symbol of social status. Bangles were exchanged between allies and wealthy lords gave such a bangle to their warriors to win their loyalty.

Vikings rarely wore jewelry with embedded stones or gems, although some pieces were made from these materials. Metals such as bronze, copper, silver, brass, and gold were also used to make bangles or torques, along with leather. Although metal was not as flexible as leather, findings from modern times are evidence that it was more durable. The poorer folk usually owned arm jewelry made of a lead-tin alloy, as it was cheap to mass produce.

Who still wears a Viking bangle and Viking bracelet today?

Even though today's social status is not measured by a Viking arm ornament, the Vikings are still so popular that many people revive the Viking era through reenactment and larp events. Even at carnival, Halloween or other costume parties you can see one or the other Viking. On such occasions, the arm ornaments simply belong. But also in everyday life simple leather bracelets are just as popular with men and women today as at that time.