Legacy
The Viking ship has become an internationally recognisable symbol of the Viking Age, and more broadly of Scandinavian culture. This gallery demonstrates just a handful of the many ways in which Viking Ships are used in branding, tourism and commerce in the present day, ranging from expressions of national and local identity, to more playful responses to a shared Viking past. Click on the image to go to the item and to find out more about it, or view items on the interactive map below.
Norway features the stem of the Oseberg ship on its coinage, demonstrating the importance of this period of history in national identity.
Branded sardines, the proceeds of which go to maintaining and crewing the Saga Oseberg Viking ship in Norway.
The Viking ship has become a recognisable symbol of Scandinavian identity, as a browse through any tourist shop makes clear
The Viking ship symbolism has travelled far, representing the enterprising spirit of the Vikings in this example of US Army insigina.
A number of companies, particularly in Scandinavia, have adopted the imagery and its accociations with internationalism and enterprise.
It is not only in Scandinavia that the Viking ship serves as a symbol of civic identity: Norse heritage is particularly prominent in the Scottish isles.
Sometimes the ship is part of a public commemoration of the Viking past, such as this controversial monument to the Wood Quay excavations in Dublin.
Sometimes Viking ships are put to ingenious use, as in Stamford Bridge, England, site of the famous battle at the close of the Viking Age
Interactive Map
You can view a wider selection of modern takes on Viking ships by clicking on the individual pins on the map below