This kind of reassurance that Thor provided gave rise to his popular cult. Very little is known of the specifics of Thor's worship owing to the nature of Norse religion which had no written scripture or formal liturgy but, as noted, his popularity is evidenced by the number of amulets, engravings, and other allusions to him. Sørensen comments on Thor's cult, and Norse religious practices generally, writing: It’s important to bear in mind that the meaning of a tattoo is inherently subjective and can differ greatly from person to person. Amulets depicting Thor's hammer vied with those of Christian crosses as the Norse religion struggled to maintain itself against the encroachment of the new faith which seemed antithetical to every value Thor embodied. The very characteristics which made Thor such a popular god were denigrated by the new religion which, in theory at least, promoted peaceful resolutions to conflicts and deliberation before action. Thor sat in the middle. He was the most highly honored. He was huge and all adorned with gold and silver. Thor was arranged to sit in a chariot; he was very splendid. There were goats, two of them, harnessed in front of him, very well wrought. Both car and goats ran on wheels. The rope round the horns of the goats was of twisted silver and the whole was worked with extremely fine craftsmanship. (76)

Spiritual Allure: Norse mythology teems with gods, goddesses, and mystical creatures. Tattoos featuring these divine figures can reflect a deep-seated spiritual or religious belief, or they might merely signify a fascination with ancient mythologies and cultures. Viking tattoos and Norse mythology imagery have had a resurgence in the mainstream after 2013’s Vikings, and 4 stunning movies in the Thor franchise.

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These temples were all destroyed once Christianity triumphed over the pagan Norse beliefs. Davidson relates the story of the infamous Norwegian king Olaf Tryggvason (r. 995-1000), who forcibly converted his kingdom to Christianity through violence and torture, destroying a temple after he was shown how a statue of Thor operated (it moved). Davidson quotes a description of the statue from the Icelandic manuscript Flateyjarbók (c. 1394), a compilation of earlier writings on Norse leaders, which emphasizes the grandeur of Thor's statue: This statue seems to have moved when one pulled on the rope around the horns and, when it did, would make a sound like thunder. Davidson continues: The figure of the god with his hammer is said to have stood in many temples at the close of the heathen period. We hear more of the images of Thor than of those of the other gods, and when he shared a temple with other deities, he is usually said to have occupied the place of honor. Rich robes are mentioned, and sacrifices of meat and bread are said to have been made to him in his temples in Norway. His worshippers would look for guidance from the image of Thor when the time came to make some difficult decision (75) Is it because you love the adventurous spirit of Norse mythology and want to express some of that for yourself?

There is no written record of the reason for Viking tooth modification, but historians assume it was to look discouraging.

Viking mythology tattoos are a captivating form of body art that delves into the rich tapestry of the Viking and Norse cultures. Another remixed appearance that looked different on first blush but revealed familiar elements upon closer examination, the Unworthy Uniform reflected then thunderless god’s state of mind. In place of the red cape was a damaged red cloak. The light blue tunic echoed the color of his brittle bones-era armor. His belt featured those familiar silver epaulets. It incorporated nearly every classic Thor element in a less flashy, more world-weary style, and ended up being an impressively subtle bit of costume commentary. Thor (Old Norse: Þórr) is the Norse god of thunder, the sky, and agriculture. He is the son of Odin, chief of the gods, and Odin's consort Jord (Earth) and husband of the fertility goddess Sif, who is the mother of his son Modi and daughter Thrud; his other son, Magni, may be from a union with the giantess Jarnsaxa. Personal Significance: Ultimately, the true meaning of a Viking tattoo is a deeply personal one. Each design, symbol, or motif can hold a unique significance for the wearer, often connected to a personal experience, aspiration, or journey. Seeing as they were such great travelers, they likely came across the art form on one island or another. Viking Tattoo Meanings