These Face Tattoos are NOT Viking

Chin stripe tattoos and "warpaint" eye stripes have been coming up with a #viking hashtag on social media recently, and let me tell you there is nothing Old Norse or Viking whatsoever about either of them. They just happen to appear in that TV show (yes I know in the show it's blood on Lagertha's chin, but let's not pretend).

They are, however, an integral part of the tattooing and body painting traditions of many living cultures, and have been for centuries, with complex and fascinating meanings behind them that have been passed on for generations.

Many cultures around the world have seen a resurgence in their tattoo culture in recent decades, often following many years of suppression, oppression, and legal moves against their traditions, clothing, and even spiritual practices.

So is there any evidence for Viking body or face paint? Is there any evidence for Old Norse tattoos? Is describing these designs as "viking" insensitive? Should they be left to those who have a legitimate cultural claim to them? Is describing these and other designs as "viking warpaint" inappropriate?

Am I exhausted, jet lagged, and sick of searching "viking war paint" at one in the morning?

Let's have a little look!

Some reading: https://kuaainaassociates.com/tattoo-...

https://thebolditalic.com/please-don-...

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/rise-in...

   • Why Getting Her First Tattoo at 74 is...  

https://canadiangeographic.ca/article...

https://www.vogue.com/article/in-alas...

https://dirtyeyeballart.com/blog/appr...

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