Both Viking men and women are thought to have worn dreads. Vikings women wore their female Viking dreadlocks differently before and after marriage. Then, she braided in the rest of her hair, forming one long braid. Theres also the common-sense presumption that the cavemen likely were not paying close attention to their hair, and that matted hair was a style long before hair was intentionally styled at all. Forest Vikings blond set of DE dreadlocks. There is no clear timeline for when the Vikings embraced specific hairstyles. When children used to wake up with tangled hair, mothers would tell them about the tale. The Vikings were known to place great importance on personal hygiene, and that even extended to their hairstyles. That is, historical evidence suggests that younger Viking women may have worn braids. The vikings were known for keeping their beard and hair tidy, not exactly what you acccociate with dreadlocks. A popular male Viking dreadlocks style was a shaved head with a long plait of dreads that ran from the top of their head down to the back. If youre interested in trying Norse dreadlocks, these four steps will help: This will determine the dread style that best suits you and how long it will take you to create it. Dreadlocks have a long history, mainly because many cultures that lived generations before us adapted this 100% natural hairstyle. Of all the cultures and people that make up the rich tapestry that is human history, the Vikings are in a class all by themselves in terms of recognition, popularity, and perhaps even infamy. Scandification explores and celebrates the magic of Scandinavia. However, many historians agree that they more than likely did. Add a fun and flirty vibe to your hair by working your dreads into curls. Those who are looking for Female Viking Dreadlocks can make any of the above-given hairstyles. She gathered her hair in her hand to form a low ponytail. to learn what scientists believe about their faces, hairstyles, clothing, skin color, and more. People from all over the globe experienced hair matting, so its impossible to attribute the style to any one group. They likely used combs to do this, which were later found by archeologists in Viking burial sites. While the hair is wrapped around your finger, use braids to secure the ends of the hair. Where Viking dreads for females, too? As Viking culture is largely centered on voyaging and exploring, there is no reason to believe that Vikings didnt have significant interactions with Celtic peoples. In the Middle Ages, the Vikings occupied northern Europe, the region known today as Scandinavia. Below you will find some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Viking hairstyles and dreadlocks. Dreadlocks last much longer and are more difficult to remove than braids. However, historical evidence supports the idea that Celts likely wore their hair long or in braids rather than having dreadlocks. These braids are then secured using a long length of suede or wool cord. 4.5 out of 5 stars (293) We are sharing some of the sample pictures on the below side and you can make any of the variations with your dreads. Five of the traditional female Viking hairstyles include: According to archaeological evidence, Viking women often wore their hair in protective styles, although younger females wore their hair more loosely than married women as a symbol of their virginity. Using a fine-toothed comb, backcomb your hair wrapping them around your finger in sections. Recent depictions of Viking women often portray them with elaborately braided hair, mohawks, dreadlocks, and partially shaved heads. Hairstyles were used a sign of status for men too slaves often had their hair tightly cropped or their heads shaved completely to show loyalty to their owner. He is a serial hair blogger that has been writing about hair care since 2008, when he co-founded Curl Centric and Natural Hair Box. The men who spent much of their time in battle and traveling needed to keep their long hair from getting in the way during their raids. Dreads UK: The Concise History of Dreadlocks. Many Viking men sported a hairstyle known today as a "reverse mullet," whereby hair was allowed to grow long in the front but was cut short or even shaved in the back of the head. That longer hair may have been coiled into dreadlocks by Vikings to make it easier to keep off the face while not wearing a helmet. However, long hair was fashionable and highly valued. There is no irrefutable evidence to suggest that Celtic hairstyles influenced Scandinavian hairstyles. Dreadlocks, commonly known as locs or dreads are ropelike hairs. The Celts were the Vikings neighbors to the south, and being in close geographical proximity, they influenced each other in different ways. Traditional locs Dreadlocks that range in size from thin to thick. Ancient India: The Vedas, the scriptures of Hinduism that date back to 1500 BC, describe the Hindu God Shiva as wearing jata, which means dreadlocks in Sanskrit. Vikings (vkingr in Old Norse) are well-known for being fierce Scandanavian warriors, but what were their haircare routines like? This was a formidable sight to people who grew up hearing stories of mythical snake-haired monsters like Medusa. Some styles for men have a completely shaved head with a long plait of dreads running from the top of the head down the back. In Viking fiction movies, you may have seen Vikings in dreadlocks or dreads but it is still a myth whether they really wore dreadlocks? While many of the men and women living in Scandinavia during. Caring for their hair was part of their hygiene routine. Many historians believe this caused their hair to become matted and form dreads. Dreadlocks, or dreads, is a hairstyle thats been around since early civilization. Wise Geek: What is the Difference Between Dreads and Braids? Other descriptions sound more like braids than dreadlocks, and mention accessories worn in the hair along with the special style. Keep reading to discover what hairstyles the Vikings had and how hairstyle affected a Vikings standing in their local community. Although, it is the same like side shaved Viking dreadlock you can make a side bang and can dye it into your favorite color. We exists to inform people about the people, culture, and history of Northern Europe. As some women love to make buns with their hair and if they have dreadlocks then they can make Viking dreadlock buns. Having lived and traveled in different parts of Scandinavia, Seline has a fondness for all things Nordic. Consequently, they took great pride in their hairstyles. As such, many hairstyles women wore in Viking communities were similar in style to masculine hairdos. Wavy dreadlocks are a simple way to change up your style, with a playful and romantic result. If you have naturally curly hair, you can choose to not comb it for a while, and your hair locks on its own without any effort. did participate in Viking activities, many also stayed at home to tend to farming, construction, and child-rearing duties. Also see Why Do Scandinavians Have Asian Eyes? These seafaring warriors were known to travel throughout Europe and beyond between the 9th and 11th century, and formed bands spurred on by strong leaders. The badass and sassy look can be obtained with this side-shaved Viking dreadlocks hairstyle. So, theres no excuse now not to get braiding and plaiting! Braids require much less maintenance compared to dreadlocks. to learn more. If youre wondering whether this could be true, youre in the right place. Both Viking men and women are thought to have worn dreads. The fact is the Vikings were one of several ancient people groups to have worn dreadlocks, along with the ancient Gauls, Celts, Indians, and many more. 14 Throwback Y2K Hairstyles Trending in 2023. Wearing their hair loose all the time would have been impractical, so dreads were used to keep their long hair from getting in the way as they fought. Wealthy individuals adorned their hairstyles with brightly colored ribbons and embellished caps. Once a Viking female was married, evidence supports the shift to wearing her hair in a twist or knot at the top of her head. Since they were close to the Vikings, they influenced them differently. 9. Check out our vikings dreads selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our hair extensions shops. Dreadlocks Were Practical Jewish priests in ancient Jerusalem were not permitted to shave or pass combs through their hair. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Then, the braids are laid over the head in opposite directions, with the ends falling to the nape of the neck. Some believe it has European origins, but others associate it with Rastafarian language and culture: Some authors have speculated that the dread component could refer to the reaction of British soldiers upon encountering Mau Mau fighters who had this hairstyle. The Scandinavian warriors known as Vikings were known to take to the seas to conquer, pillage, and plunder. To secure the cord, the wearer would have folded one cord over on itself once, then created a slipknot around the base of the braid. Viking culture was kept alive through its oral tradition, much of which has been lost over the centuries. Generally, Vikings wore their hair in one of the following styles: Long hair was the norm for most Viking communities, but it could also be a nuisance. link to What Did the Vikings Look Like? Also see What Color Eyes Did Vikings Have? The locking method is different for long hair, which is easier to grab and shape. The most popular of these caps was called the Jorvik (York) cap, a curved head covering that resembles a modern-day hood with a tie that would have secured it under the chin of the wearer. They noticed the locs on the warriors and called them dreadful, thus creating the term dreadlocks. Please see Were the Vikings Black? The ancient Greeks are also known to have worn their hair in dreads, as the Akrotiri Boxer Fresco found on the Greek island of Santorini shows two young boxers wearing braids. She would have used a bone darning needle and an extra piece of cord to whip stitch the braids to her head, working from the base of one braid to the other, forming a crown. All you need to choose your favorite side to shave your head and then make dreadlocks with your long or medium-length hair. In Celtic folklore, elves appear at night to tie knots in peoples hair; hence, the term elflocks. Celtic legend also said that combing out these knots brings bad luck. Did Vikings Have Dreads? This suggests that regular hygiene included cleaning and grooming hair. Either way, this is a great Viking themed hairstyle for men during summer! These rope-like strands of hair, created by braiding or locking hair, were worn by people of distinct origins around the world, including the Vikings. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. It was considered bad luck to try and brush out the elflocks. Thank you for visiting Scandinavia Facts. Some historians believe that unmarried Viking girls may have worn dreadlocks for special formal occasions or festivals. | Absolutely! The issue of who wore dreadlocks first has become something of a controversial subject. The 30 Most Popular Dread Styles for Women to Rock in 2023. It was a practical hairstyle Dreadlocks were seen as both fashionable and functional by the Vikings. To make it cooler, you can color some of the dreads and can use Viking rings and leather strips. Her hair was exceedingly long, with the entire length measuring just over 35 inches (90 cm). Their imposing looks reminded opponents of the mythical snake-haired creatures like Medusa, who was feared by many. There is an array of opinions about people wore dreadlocks. The etymology, or word history, of the term dreadlocks, is uncertain. Sometimes their hair was further accessorized with a decorative circlet that matched their clothing. While the Vikings didnt keep written historical records, the people they encountered often did. Others believe the hairstyle was practical and served to keep their long hair out of their faces when raiding. Despite their ancient association with power and spirituality, theyre often deemed unprofessional or unkempt, especially when worn by people of color. These protective coverings would have made married and unmarried Viking women easily identifiable. While it seems likely that some Vikings did indeed sport dreadlocks, they clearly werent the first race or culture to wear them. Many people associate dreadlocks with Afro culture, which is why some consider it cultural appropriation if people from other races wear them. The Elling Womans hairstyle was a simple one-braid protective style. All Home & Living. Many Viking men and women had dreadlocks. In this article, we will do a deep dive into the significance, history, methods and meaning of Viking dreadlocks. Since personal hygiene was known to be important to the Vikings, its likely that wearing braids and dreadlocks was a practical solution to keeping hair neat and in control. Ancient Greece has some of the earliest depictions of dreads in its artwork. Seline Shenoy is a journalist and podcaster. Even early Christians were believed to have worn their hair in dreadlocks as a tribute to Samson, who had seven locks of hair. However, the simplicity of the Irish ribbon knot would make it an easy-to-achieve style that took little effort and no cord, sticks, or needles to complete. While modern pop culture depictions of Vikings would have you believe they were unkempt and rather rough around the edges in appearance, the evidence supports the use of combs and a preference for well-groomed beards and hair.