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Norse religion was at no time homogeneous, but was a conglomerate of related customs and beliefs. These could be inherited or borrowed, [2] and although the great geographical distances of Scandinavia led to a variety of cultural differences, people understood each other's customs, poetic traditions and myths. [3]
Haakon Sigurdsson (c. 937 – 995), de facto ruler of Norway from about 975 to 995 who was in favor of Norse paganism; Palnetoke, legendary pagan foster-father of Sweyn's; Peada of Mercia (died 656), son of Penda and a pagan until his conversion; Penda of Mercia (died 655), one of the last pagan Anglo-Saxon rulers of England; Radagaisus, pagan ...
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. ( March 2016 ) Norse mythology includes a diverse array of people, places, creatures, and other mythical elements.
Old Norse religion, also known as Norse paganism, is a branch of Germanic religion which developed during the Proto-Norse period, when the North Germanic peoples separated into a distinct branch of the Germanic peoples. It was replaced by Christianity and forgotten during the Christianisation of Scandinavia.
In modern Nordic culture, runes continue to hold symbolic and cultural significance. [16] While the runic alphabet is no longer in common use for writing, it has become a popular element in art, jewelry, and tattoos, often serving as a connection to Norse heritage and a way to express cultural pride. [17]
Most Norse texts dealing with fate are heroic, which probably influences their portrayal of fate. [87] In Norse myth, fate was created by supernatural female beings called Norns, who appear either individually or as a collective and who give people their fate at birth and are somehow involved in their deaths. [88]
The most important Norse colony was the settlement in Iceland, which became a haven for Scandinavians who sought to preserve their traditional way of life and independence of central authority. [91] The literary heritage of the Icelanders is indispensable for the modern understanding of early North Germanic history and culture. [92]
Vigrid has also influenced Norway's view on pagan symbols, causing many Norwegians to believe that the symbols are racist in nature. [ citation needed ] Researcher Egil Astrem suggests that a "moral panic" arose regarding paganism being viewed as linked to Satanism within broader Norwegian society, and viewed as a threat to the stability of ...