Viking hair beads, beard beads

One of the standout features of Viking style is Viking hair! Neighboring Europeans often commented on the impressive locks and beards sported by the Vikings, and how well-kept they were. It was usual for Vikings to carry a small comb with them at all times to care for their hair.

Another trend among the Vikings was hair beads, examples of which survive in the archaeological record. These have inspired our collection of Viking beads ideal to wear in your hair, beard, on a necklace, or to enhance any element of your Viking look.

We have a varied collection, with dainty hair twists worth of Freyja, the goddess of love and beauty, and Thor’s hammer beads for warriors.

Many of our beads also feature the Futhark Runes. The Vikings believed that their runes were more than just an alphabet, but also had magical properties that could be used to shape the world.

We know that Viking rune masters used the runes to cast spells, and that they were probably used in divination practices. The runes have also been coopted for modern divination.

Below is a list of the Viking runes that you will find on our beads and their meanings.

• Fé (cattle) – F – Wealth
• Ur (drizzle/slurry) – U – Strength of Will
• Thurs (giant) – Th – Danger, Suffering
• Óss (god/mouth) – O – Inspiration, Wisdom
• Raeidh (riding) – R – Movement, Work, Growth
• Kaun (wound) – K – Mortality, Pain
• Hagall (hail) – H – Destruction, Chaos
• Naudhr (need) – N – Need, Unfulfilled Desire
• Is (ice) – I – Destruction
• Ar (a good year) – A – Plenty, Good Harvest
• Sól (sun) – S – Solace
• Tyr (the god Tyr) – T – Victory, Honor
• Bjarkan (birch twig) – B – Fertility, Growth, Sustenance
• Madhr (man) – M – Augmentation, Support
• Logr (power of water) – L – Formlessness, Chaos
• Yr (yew tree bow) – Z – Endurance

Other symbols you will find on our Viking hair beads include:

Viking beard bead Vegvisir – One of the magical runic staves from the Icelandic grimoires, the Norse compass ensures that you never lose your way, even if you don’t know where you are going. While a symbol like this probably would have been used by Viking explorers and sailors, it has become a symbol of spiritual guidance in modern Asatru.

Viking beard bead Helm of Awe – Another magical runic symbol, draw it on your forehead before battle to ensure the favor of the gods. Ask the gods to help you defeat your enemies and fight bravely enough to earn a place in Valhalla.

Viking beard bead Ravens – Ravens are sacred to Odin. He had two raven familiars, Huginn (thought) and Muninn (memory), that flew out into the world each day and told the god everything they saw and heard. It was a good omen to see ravens circling a battlefield, as it means Odin is present to choose the bravest fallen dead for Valhalla.

Viking beard bead Yggdrasil – The World Tree that sits at the center of the Norse cosmos; the nine worlds are ticked among her roots and branches. The tree represents the interconnectedness of all things and also the vital importance of nature.

Viking beard bead Triquetra – A symbol of witchcraft and nature-based magic. Linked with Viking Seidr magic, which both Odin and Freyja were expert in.

Viking beard bead Mjolnir – Thor’s mighty hammer that he uses to protect Midgard from the giants. In the Viking age, it was worn as a symbol of protection. It continued to be worn well into the Christian period as a symbol of continued allegiance to the old gods.

Viking beard bead Valknut – Symbol of Valhalla, Odin’s great hall in Asgard. He invites the bravest fallen warriors to dwell there. At Ragnarok, they will fight alongside the gods; there is no greater honor. A warrior must face all life’s challenges with bravery to earn a place in Valhalla, and the Valknut also represents that philosophy.