nordics & werewolves

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/hidden-history-viking-wolf-warrior-werewolf

The story of Sigmundr and Sinfjötli is one of the Viking world’s oldest and most popular tales, passed down orally for centuries before being written down in the Vǫlsunga Saga around 1270. It turns out the Vikings were a bit obsessed with wolves and the people who become them. There are upwards of 50 different werewolf stories Vikings would tell around roaring fires to help pass long, dark Scandinavian winters.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werewolf

The 1928 novel The Wolf's Bride: A Tale from Estonia, written by the Finnish author Aino Kallas, tells story of the forester Priidik's wife Aalo living in Hiiumaa in the 17th century, who became a werewolf under the influence of a malevolent forest spirit, also known as Diabolus Sylvarum.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werewolf_fiction

Aarne-Thompson-Uther Index tale type ATU 409, "The Girl as Wolf" [et]: a tale type more commonly found in the folklore of Estonia and Finland, a human hunter finds a woman in the woods and hides her animal (wolf) skin. Years later, after the wolf-maiden has given birth to children, one of them finds her wolf skin and returns it to her. She puts it back and disappears, never to return.

https://mythologyinquirer.com/werewolves-in-norse-mythology-fact-or-fiction/

Werewolves hold a special place in Norse mythology, with numerous tales and legends featuring these shapeshifting creatures. The stories range from the ancient tale of Sigmundr and Sinfjötli, who don wolf skins and undergo a transformation, to the more symbolic representation of wolves in Norse mythology, such as Fenrir, the son of Loki who plays a pivotal role in Ragnarok. These myths and legends reflect the Vikings’ fascination with wolves and the concept of transformation.

Key Takeaways:

• Werewolves are prominent in Norse mythology, featuring in various tales and legends.
• Sigmundr and Sinfjötli’s story showcases the concept of werewolves in Norse mythology.
• The Vikings had a deep fascination with wolves, evident in their stories and artifacts.
• Wolves held both admiration and fear in Viking society, symbolizing strength and destruction.
• Fenrir, son of Loki, and Odin’s wolves are well-known wolf figures in Norse mythology.

During the Viking Age, European civilizations targeted by Viking raids often portrayed the Vikings as “sea-wolves” or “ware-wolves” in their historical records. These metaphors were used to equate the Vikings with the savage and destructive nature of wolves, depicting them as fearsome warriors and formidable foes.

This association of the Vikings with werewolves served to further demonize their image and emphasize their brutality in the eyes of the Europeans. The Viking raids were seen as wolf-like attacks, characterized by swift and devastating strikes that left a lasting impact on the affected regions.

The European perception of the Vikings as werewolves not only reflected the terror and fear evoked by their raids but also highlighted the Viking warriors’ formidable reputation. The Vikings’ relentless onslaught and their unwavering determination to conquer and pillage were likened to the primal instincts and ferocity of the wolf. This portrayal reinforced the notion that the Vikings were a force to be reckoned with, capable of wreaking havoc and instilling fear in the hearts of their enemies.

However, it is important to note that these European perceptions were largely influenced by the accounts of the victims of Viking raids and were fueled by the desire to vilify and dehumanize the Vikings. The Viking raids, although ruthless and destructive, were driven by various factors, including political and economic motivations, rather than a literal association with werewolves. Nevertheless, the European perception of Vikings as werewolves played a significant role in shaping their overall image and reputation.