Viking hairstyles are another layer of culture, using which you can get additional information about the life of the Scandinavians, their customs and features of life. Hairstyles have always reflected social processes and changes in society. This means that the lifestyle of the warriors inevitably left an imprint on the way they styled and braided their hair.
Viking hairstyles: why they were the way they were
Vikings are an association of groups of warriors, led by a leader. Many are mistaken, considering them a separate nation. The Viking troops included Swedes, Norwegians, Danes and representatives of other peoples who joined them on campaigns. The Vikings gathered in an army to capture the western lands.
The Vikings had a rule: bathe every Saturday and thoroughly comb their hair and beard every day. In England, for their love of cleanliness and neatness in clothes, they were called tidies. Such cleanliness was due to quite practical goals, since the tribes were at enmity with each other, it was impossible to allowsettlements were easily located, including by the smell of unwashed bodies. The British, during the first conflicts and clashes with the northerners, were surprised how they found their camps so quickly. The answer was simple - by smell.
Historical confirmation of the cleanliness of the Scandinavians
I would like to pay special attention to Viking hairstyles. To do this, it was not enough to wash and comb your hair or grease it, as the French and British did at that time. A neat and correct styling is required - this is the main rule of Viking hairstyles. The second distinctive feature is multiple braids and bouffants. Slavic and Scandinavian hairstyles are similar due to the mixing of cultures as a result of numerous trade and military contacts between these peoples. History confirms the cleanliness of the Vikings with the following facts recorded in the annals:
- A three-dimensional drawing of a Viking head was found on the ship "Iceberg", sunk in Norway in 834. The hair is parted and braided, the neck and back of the head are shaved, and the long beard is also carefully and neatly braided.
- In an old letter from England, the author claims that his brother will only follow the Anglo-Saxon fashion, and not repeat the Viking hairstyles with their long hair on top and beard.
Thus, men's Viking hairstyles also included weaving and implied the presence of long hair. In many ways, this was a tribute to ancient traditions and mythological beliefs.
Scandinavians believed thatit is in the hair that the strength of a person lies and the biggest insult is to cut the hair of a prisoner of war.
Everything new is well forgotten old
Currently, ancient warrior hairstyles are very popular among young people. After watching the Vikings series, many guys and girls decided to change their hairstyles, imitating the heroes of the film.
The most popular hairstyle among young guys is Ragnar Lothbrok. Throughout the film, the main character appears before the viewer in different images. In some series it is a very short haircut, while in others it is a thick long braid. Looking closer, we see, in principle, a similar style. Viking hairstyles for men are very reminiscent of a modern haircut - an undercut. Hair grows from the crown of the head and forward to the forehead.
The back of the head and whiskey are shaved daily. Many women who dream of long hair would envy the Vikings. Men's hairstyles of ancient warriors included the obligatory weaving of long strands. The braid started from the top of the head, and the back of the head remained bare.
So there is nothing difficult in doing Viking hairstyles, except for the problem of growing hair from childhood.
What age - such a hairstyle
The film features other Viking hairstyles. Photos of the actors of the series show that the writers seriously approached the issue of historical accuracy. So, the son of the protagonist in childhood wears a very unusual hairstyle. From childhood, the back of the child's head is shaved, while the front part grows freely. Andthey cut it obliquely from the crown of the head to the temple, and the hairline itself passed over the ear. Later, when the hair on the crown and fontanel grew to a certain length, they were collected in a bun, and the temples and the back of the head were still shaved. Modern young people are happy to wear such bunches on their heads and believe that it is stylish, fashionable and modern. They don't even know they're copying thousands of years old Viking hairstyles.
And what about the fair sex?
What were Viking women like? They were also warriors, and, along with men, participated in military campaigns. After examining many artifacts, including female skeletons, scientists concluded that women were also strong and hardy.
Some of the women's skulls look very masculine, confirming earlier theories that Scandinavians fought alongside men. Therefore, the hairstyles of Viking women also had certain features.
Women's hairstyles: ribbons, braids and scarves
Viking hairstyles for women necessarily suggest the presence of long hair. The strands are divided into two parts and tied at the back of the head into a knot. The hairstyle is decorated with multi-colored ribbons woven into it.
Brightly colored scarves and hats could be used as decorations, but this refers to a much later period. In the early Middle Ages, Viking girls' hairstyles included various braids and ribbons. So, girls and girls braided their long hair into braids, and tied a ribbon around their foreheads. marriedwomen braided their hair and covered their heads with scarves.
Creating a northern warrior hairstyle
Judging by historical sources and drawings in chronicles, Viking women's hairstyles are distinguished by complexity and accuracy of execution. Do not think that these secrets are lost. Luckily, hairdressers today know how to do women's Viking hairstyles as well. Let's consider one of the options. All hair on the head is divided into four parts equal in volume: the occipital, two temporal and parietal. Hair should be long, just below the level of the shoulder line. The temporal parts are carefully braided vertically with French braids. This creates the effect of shaved temples. The parietal part is divided in half: the top is unraveled and combed, creating volume, and several braids are woven from the lower strands towards the back of the head. Clearly in the region of the crown of the head, part of the hair is collected in a neat bun, and the braids are wrapped around the hairstyle. With woven ribbons, all this is fixed, while the back of the head remains free. The hairstyle is ready and looks really royal!
From all of the above, we can conclude that even now you can use ancient Viking hairstyles to create your own image. Until our time, they are both fashionable and relevant not only for young people.