Whether you’re Pagan-leaning or just a big Marvel fan, chances are you know something about the rich world of Norse mythology!

From gods and goddesses to sacred symbols and apocalyptic imagery, here are just a few of our favourite Norse tattoos created by our incredible sponsored artists!

Josh Ian Wilson & Mumia - Norse Mythology Tattoo Sleeves

One of the best things about designing a tattoo around a rich and storied culture is that there’s plenty of inspiration for bigger pieces like tattoo sleeves!

Josh Ian Wilson from Abrakadavra took the story of Ragnarök as inspiration for this black and grey sleeve. What we can see here is a roaring Fenrir breaking out of the chains that keep him contained and bearing down on Odin who’s easily spotted by his single eye and crow familiars. Beneath them, Fenrir’s brother Jörmungandr the World Serpent has released his tail and is preparing to fight Thor to their mutual deaths!

Rather than recreating a specific section of Norse mythology, Mumia’s tattoo sleeve incorporates multiple elements into this incredibly ornamental black and grey sleeve that includes Odin at the top, Fenrir and Thor at the bottom, as well as Viking runes and a Norse compass.

Void Vitriol & Skezy Tattoos - Mjölnir Tattoos

Thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a huge number of people are able to identify and even name this mythical weapon. Crafted by blacksmiths Brokkr and Sindri - with no help from our boy Loki - this hammer would never miss its mark and always return to its owner.

In Void Vitriol’s epic brutal medieval piece, the Pagan symbol for the weapon is used, surrounded by runes. Void’s work is characterised by his etching-style black and red work, and we love how the central rune - Thurisaz, for protection - is red and also appears to splatter out into the rest of the design.

Skezy Tattoos went for a slightly more recognisable version - yep, it’s Marvel’s Thor’s hammer! The design is iconic at this point, and it’s joined by the Asgardian hero’s other weapon, Stormbreaker. These neo-traditional pieces are framed by Thor’s signature blue thunder bolts.

Alex Underwood & Moriel Seror - Viking Raven Tattoos

Ravens are a pretty common theme in Norse mythology as creatures that can move between life and death, but they’re particularly associated with Odin - especially these two, Huginn and Muninn, which loosely translates to Thought and Memory. He uses them as messengers and spies to gather information from the human world.

Alex Underwood’s symmetrical chest piece features large black and grey representations of the ravens, with Pagan knots along the wings and their names etched in Younger Futhark on banners beneath them.

Moriel Seror’s piece could easily be mistaken for simply two fighting ravens, but this huge colour realism piece is incredibly dramatic - the contrast and colour for the crows is remarkable, with flaming feathers and even spots of bokeh giving depth to the scene.

Sampaguita Jay & Adrian Hidalgo - Tattoos of Valkyries

Valkyries are the mythological women who have appeared throughout Norse stories as winged or horseback creatures who take those rightfully slain in battle to the halls of Valhalla. Usually described as beautiful beings associated with horses and swans, they can be merciful but also cruel!

Adrian Hidalgo’s black and grey realism portrait of a Valkyrie looks similar to a classic Viking woman, with leaves in her hair and an axe in her hand. She also has warrior paint and a rune drawing on her chest, as well as a Norse compass on her shoulder.

Sampaguita Jay has made a career out of creating portraits of beautiful women, and alongside Amazons, Valkyries seem to be one of her favourite motifs! This fairly simple but incredibly dramatic Valkyrie portrait features an abstract wing-like outer shape in vibrant colours, centred around a woman with runic symbols drawn on her face.

Adrian de Largue & Alex Fraser - Odin Tattoo Designs

Although he’s already appeared in a few, we had to have a section dedicated to the All-father himself! Father of all the gods, Odin’s most noticeable characteristic is his single eye - the other one was plucked out as a sacrifice to gain wisdom, and divine perspective over the world.

Adrian De Largue’s blackwork Odin is notably lacking one eye, but otherwise looks like your average Viking warrior - complete with horned helmet and braided beard. The rune on his helmet means “journey” - take from that what you will!

Alex Fraser’s black and grey Odin has a few more characteristics worked in - in this realism piece, the Norse compass is projected over Odin’s face. In one rune-etched hand he holds a sword topped with a raven’s head, and to his side another raven is holding onto his sacrificed eye.

Kati Berinkey & Hokowhitu Sciascia - Goddesses and Giants

The Norse pantheon of gods is huge, and its cast of background characters come from a number of mythological races, including giants, dwarves and elves.

Kati Berinkey brought the goddess Freya to life in this black and grey piece that is unmistakably her style. Freya is the goddess associated with love, war, beauty and death - she wears a cloak made of falcon feathers, and rides a chariot drawn by cats, which she refers to in this stunning piece.

Hokowhitu Sciascia made a metal album cover looking upper arm sleeve of Surtr, the greatest of the Fire Giant. Surtr plays a huge role in Ragnarök - while he usually stands guard over Muspellsheim with his fire sword, Ragnarök will see him taking an army of fire to the battle, where he’ll destroy the god Freyr and consume all Nine Worlds in primordial fire!

Josh Hurrell & David Roduit - Fenrir Tattoos

And finally, we’re back with our boy Fenrir! Child of Loki and the giantess Angrboda, he was locked up in dwarf-forged chains for the safety of the Nine Worlds, but is destined to break out during Ragnarök, when he’ll devour everything in his path and take down Odin himself.

Josh Hurrell’s Fenrir piece is thankfully still chained, and we love the extreme use of contrast in Josh’s work that makes it so noticeable and unique! Chains cane surprisingly difficult to tattoo, but these wrap around the beast’s mouth perfectly.

Unfortunately for all of us, in David Roduit’s piece the wolf is well and truly loose! This black and grey realism piece could be seen as just a wolf, if it weren’t for the broken chains and runes above.

If you’ve loved this collection of Norse tattoos, let us know! Comment on our Instagram or Facebook with your favourite tattoo design, and share any Norse or Viking tattoos you have yourself!