Horned helmets have been used from the bronze age and throughout the Viking age. Their primary purpose is ceremonial, as such helmets were generally unsuitable for combat.

CEREMONIAL HORNED HELMETS

Horned helmets were in fact used by Vikings and their ancestors for ceremonial purposes and rituals.

VEKSØ HORNED HELMETS

The best known ceremonial helmets are the Veksø horned helmets, from Veksø in Zealand, Denmark. Their primary material is a high tin bronze and they were made in Scandinavia using European bronze working techniques of the time.

The helmets are currently at Nationalmuseet (National Museum of Denmark).

OSEBERG SHIP TAPESTRY

A tapestry found in the Oseberg ship burial, and dated around the 9th century (at the height of the Viking age), shows a man wearing a horned helmet.

DENMARK ÓÐINN FIGURINE

More recently, a 5cm figurine of Óðinn wearing horns again was also found in a field near Mesinge in Hindsholm, on the island of Fyn in Denmark. Some controversy has surrounded the findings, with some arguing whether the horns are meant to represent bull horns, ravens or even … dragons. The discussion within the purpose of horned helmet is however irrelevant. Whatever the symbolism may be, they remain horns.

The artifact is currently on permanent display at Nationalmuseet (National Museum of Denmark).

TORSLUNDA BRONZE PLATE

More significant is the Vendal period Torslunda bronze plate (late 6th to early 9th century) from Öland, Sweden, which depicts an Úlfheðinn wearing a wolf pelt, together with Óðinn, who also happens to be wearing a horned helmet. The Torslunda plate, also know as the Öland plate, is on display at Statens historiska museum (Swedish History Museum) in Stockholm.

SKJǪLDRINN

Horned helmet have also been in use for oathing rituals within Skjǫldrinn since 748 BCE. Current induction ceremonies within the ancestral military order still involve the use of horned helmets.

Horned Helmets