Are Viking Braids Accurate?

If you’ve watched either Vikings or The Last Kingdom anytime recently, you’ve probably found a whole new appreciation for the rich and exciting world of Nordic Scandinavia and the Viking culture overall.

One thing that has been picking up particular steam in gaining popularity is the show’s intricately designed Viking hairstyle braids or Viking look. In these shows and other Viking age or Viking era representations, the Nordic people, men and women alike are seen wearing these braids from regular home life to right as they head off to war.

However, with this rise in interest, many people ask the question, exactly how accurate are Viking hairstyle braids? Did men wear them as well as women? Were they as intricate as they are presented? Or is most of it mostly meant for the tv screen? Well, in this article breakdown, we are going to go over precisely that. Are Viking hair braids indeed an authentic piece of Norse history, or are they as fictional as many of the shows’ storylines?

What is Viking Braid?

Firstly, it’s essential to know what constitutes a Viking braid or Viking haircut. Does it have to sport the incredibly detailed setup shown on tv, or were there simpler versions in use?

While we will get to the Vikings’ truth and their widespread use of braiding, most media representations are that Viking braids or Viking haircut consisted of at least two or smaller braids on either side of the head and a larger french braid that ran down the middle.

If you were looking to braid your hair in a similar style, consider holding off on washing your hair for at least three to four days prior.

The Truth of Viking Braids

Though many of the styles seem very interesting and even appear as potentially period-accurate, the question remains whether they were true to the times?

Unfortunately, while it does look great on tv, it isn’t likely that they appeared nearly as accurate in real life. Men are known to have shorter hair which is difficult to braid. Women generally braid their hair at the top of their head and with a ribbon.

Did Men Ever Exhibit Viking Braids?

But surely there must have been male Viking braids that you might be saying right now. After all, the shows and media portrayals go to great lengths of showing men with long hair in varying different braids and styles.

Unfortunately, the evidence does not seem to back that up. While there were men with long hair, they were rarely, if ever, a Viking warrior. As a matter of practicality, men would have relatively short hair in the back of their heads while longer bangs in the front. This made helmet use easier overall while also ensuring that they wouldn’t worry about having it grabbed by an enemy from behind.

Nordic society did portray men with longer styles and lengths of hair outside combat, though generally just shoulder-length. Still, Viking style braids weren’t quite a thing for the vast majority, even in these cases. As a means of keeping it out of the way, most men with longer hair would secure it with a ponytail made from silk, gold, or silver.

What about Viking Women?

Even in this, things are unfortunately not so strongly in the Viking style braids’ favor. Though Norse women or Viking women did have their hair long enough to braid, the amount was much less than one would think, only occasionally being done. Unmarried girls, in particular, had their hair either loose or braided as a showcasing of their single status and eligibility for marriage. Some women grew their hair so long that it would have to be tucked into their belts so that they could avoid tripping over it.

However, this was not the case for married Norse women who often than not wore their hair coiled in a bun or a ponytail.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while we certainly would like to believe that Viking Braids are historically accurate and based on time, unfortunately, it is less the case than the tv producers would believe. While it was certainly an option for both men and women at the time, history shows that neither gender considered it a mainstay of the culture, with women primarily only doing it during their unwed years.

Still, this doesn’t make these shows or their other aspects any less enjoyable. Similarly, if you wish to get Viking braids for your hair, go right ahead. Just know that you are doing it for the style and not as an accurate historical reenactment.