By D.W. Roach
The word “Viking” carries a powerful mystique today. It conjures images of longships cutting through icy seas, warriors with shields raised, and a culture steeped in myth and legend. But in the modern world, the term is often misunderstood. Many people take DNA tests, find even a fraction of Scandinavian ancestry, and proudly declare themselves a Viking. Yet the truth is, you can’t be a Viking (at least not in technical terms…-stick with me fellow Berserker’s). What you can do is embrace the cultural heritage, traditions, and spirit that the Viking Age left behind.
Who Were the Vikings Really?
The first thing to understand is that the term “Viking” didn’t refer to an ethnicity or nationality—it referred to an activity. To “go a-Viking” meant to raid, trade, or explore by sea. It was a role or occupation, not an identity in the way we think of nationalities or ethnic groups today.
Most Vikings were not kings or noble warriors. Many were the younger sons of farmers—those who stood to inherit nothing of their father’s land under primogeniture traditions. Without wealth or land at home, they sought fortune abroad through raiding, trading, and mercenary work. In that sense, “Viking” was more akin to being a pirate or privateer than a permanent identity.
The Viking Age Was a Moment in Time
The Viking Age stretched from roughly 793 to 1066 CE, beginning with the raid on Lindisfarne and ending with the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Once that era closed, so did the Viking way of life. Scandinavians continued on, of course, but by the 12th century, they were no longer called Vikings. They had become part of the broader medieval Christian kingdoms of Europe.
To call oneself a Viking today is a bit like calling oneself a Roman legionnaire—it was a specific role within a specific period of history. The men and women who lived in Scandinavia after the Viking Age were no longer “Vikings,” even though they were descendants of them.
Ethnicity, Nationality, and Occupation
Here’s where much of the modern confusion lies:
- Ethnicity: Having Scandinavian DNA doesn’t make someone a Viking. It means you may have ancestors from the regions where Vikings once lived, but not that they themselves went a-Viking.
- Nationality: Being Norwegian, Danish, or Swedish today connects you to the lands of the Vikings, but not to the Viking occupation itself.
- Occupation: Viking was a job, a lifestyle, and often a dangerous gamble. It involved raiding, trading, and exploring during a very specific period of history.
Understanding these distinctions matters. The Viking label cannot be applied based on DNA alone—it requires a recognition of the role, culture, and time in which the term was relevant.
Embracing Viking Heritage Today
Though you can’t be a Viking, you can certainly honor the traditions and values of Norse culture. This might include:
- Studying the sagas and Eddas that preserve the myths and legends of the Norse gods.
- Exploring traditional crafts such as woodcarving, weaving, or runic inscriptions.
- Practicing values admired in Viking society, such as courage, resilience, loyalty, and honor.
- Engaging with living history groups or Viking reenactments that celebrate the lifestyle and traditions of the Viking Age.
Conclusion
The Viking Age has ended, but its spirit remains. To call yourself a Viking today isn’t historically accurate (and that’s ok, call yourself a Viking if you want!) —but to embrace Viking heritage is both authentic and meaningful. By learning the true history and honoring the cultural traditions of the Norse, we keep alive the stories, values, and memory of a people whose influence still echoes across the world.
D.W. Roach is a historical fiction author exploring the myths, legends, and cultural heritage of the Norse world.
D.W. Roach "Marauder" 