My son recently returned from IRAQ, and we were going to celebrate by going for a quick scuba dive. Unfortunately, we never made it into the water.
Turns out he had a Viking tattoo inked on his shoulder that day. The Helm of Awe, a Viking warrior symbol, was worn between the eyes of warriors as a magical symbol of protection.
The Helm of Awe was thought to bring invincibility in the wearer and instill fear in one’s enemies. Today, it’s used for protection by Asatru believers.
Viking Warrior Symbols Make Awesome Tattoos
I’m The Helm of Awe and I’ll make you cry
So instead we partied like it was Cinco de Mayo and cooked on the BBQ.
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{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Very intricate.
I just don’t have the “nerve” to do it!
But, that’s a nice tat!
UP
.-= UP´s last blog ..The $33,000 Oil Change. =-.
Well, I Wish I understood the symbolism better! BUT! If it helps to keep him SAFE, I’m all for it!! Bless his heart! Damn wars!!
Bless Both of you…Tell him how loved he is for me…Without him, and the brave soldiers Like him, I don’t know What we’d do…
hughugs
.-= Donna (Texas)´s last blog ..Clorox vs Peroxide =-.
That’s one freaking awesome tattoo – and I spent last weekend in a tattoo parlour, so I’ve recently seen my fair share.
Very nice. I like tattoos but I only have and will only ever have one. A kokopelli on my lower back. Never regretted it for a second.
Nice tatt. I maybe should have considered appropriating artwork from a defunct culture for my own tattoos, and then I wouldn’t keep offending Japanese people.
That is an awesome tat!! I have one (turquoise butterfly) on my ankle and have an artist drawing my second for me. It is a cancer ribbon in memory of my dad and in honor of my grandma. My dad died of throat cancer on 12/24/08 and my MeeMaw is a 2 time survivor of breast cancer. It will fade from ivory with three burgandy lines for my dad into pink for my MeeMaw. It will have a few other things on it also. I’ll definitely blog about it when I have it done…
Please let your son know that I too am proud of him for serving our Country! If it were not for men and women like him, we would be worse off…
.-= Kari Anne´s last blog ..It Takes… =-.
All ~ That was after sitting down for 3.5 hours. He has a couple more visits for additions and coloring.
christina ~ kokopelli’s are way cool…that’s what’s on my header
Kari Anne ~ Very cool of you to do a tribute. I have a tribal butterfly on my chest that I need “re-worked”
That is an awesome looking tattoo. After my son joined the army he got several tattoos. Four that I can think of. I would bet that he would love this one.
Not a big fan of tattoos – must be a generational thing–but I have to admit that looks like it was really well done. I tease my Ranger son that he is going to be ready for the circus when he’s through serving. He’s into Celtic symbols.
What an awesome tattoo! Too bad that you guys couldn’t go scuba diving, but I bet you had a blast still! Both my brothers are marines, and just got warrior tattoos as well! You must be so proud of your son!
.-= jennifer´s last blog ..Free Full size bottle of Suave Professionals Shampoo! =-.
I do not own a tattoo, but Ive dated several men who had several… I think they can be very hotttt. And ones with meaning are even hotter.
PS: Thanks for visiting my little chaotic blog. Hope you come again…
.-= Martie´s last blog ..How I Met Sweets… =-.
regardless of what I think of tattoos, I am just glad that he is back safe from Iraq!
.-= otin´s last blog ..Flash 1478 (Intruder) =-.
That is an awesome arm.
Maybe scuba another time.
.-= Ocean Girl´s last blog ..We Dance. We Sing. We.. =-.
Now THAT’S a tattoo! LOVE it!
.-= Felicitas´s last blog ..Moving On =-.
My little rock in the North Sea is covered in Viking burial sites. I truly hope your son is protected and watched over, it’s the least a hero like him should have. Give him a hug from me?
.-= Shrinky´s last blog ..Veronica =-.
ann ~ Yea ann, my son has a sleeve on his other arm of Egyptian and Greek scenes.
Polly ~ Haha, yes…symbols actually do mean a lot to our fighting men.
jennifer ~ Yes, I really need to get some diving out of my system soon. I am, as I know you are proud of your brothers.
Marti ~ I agree, as long as they aren’t like bombshell what’s her name’s.
otin ~ Thanks, me too!
Ocean Girl ~ Yea, I was really looking forward to doing some diving.
Felicitas ~ Yea, it’s not even half done to boot.
Shrinky ~ That sounds like a way cool place, and thanks.
–>I like when there is some thought put into tattoes and they have a good meaning. I see a lot of stupid ones all the time.
.-= WebSavvyMom´s last blog ..Share the Road =-.
You have a tattoo? You should share it with us, now I’m intrigued!
Love this tat! And thanks for visiting my site! Come again:)
.-= Candyland´s last blog ..When your heart tears down the middle, think of robots =-.
dude, thats a pretty cool tat…even more so for the symbolism behind it…
.-= brian´s last blog ..160 – for love & a good book =-.
@All ~ I thought it was right on also…but I was a little po’d about not being able to go for a dive…oh well, next time for sure.
@Megan ~ Maybe in a future post
that is amazing! and please say thanks to your son. my nephew is in iraq now – just a baby boy. all that they do for us, so far away.
Your son is back from Iraq… so glad.
@MommaKiss ~ It really is amazing what our “boys” are doing for all of us. Sending out some Cowboy Mojo to your nephew!
@Agnes ~ Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you for the history lesson behind the tattoo. It is nice when it stands for something even if I’m not a fan of them. My daughter has 7.
That is some amazing art… and even more that he put some thought into it. I am tired of seeing kanji on people. (no offense to anyone that has some, just my opinion… which means nothing.) I am glad you are not like my dad who would freak out.
Hail Odin…
Hail to the Aesir…
Hail? to the Folk and those who follow the old paths…
Hail to the Fallen Warriors in Valhalla!
And…Hail to ya, for stoppin by!
Man that looks great I just got my back inked with norse runes spelling my name. I have 8 tattoos and all are derived from the Aesir I love the culuture and history behind everything they have. Your sons arm looks fantastic what part of Iraq was he in if I may I just got back from mosul. But god bless him and hope he is kept safe with his tat.