Dragon Face Nordic Vikings Pin Pinback Badge Tie Tack

A Viking Dragon Pin Inspired by the Longships

This Viking dragon pin is a pewter dragon or serpent head set on a push pin clasp. It measures about 1 in by 1 in. A color description card comes with it.

Dragon heads once crowned the prows of Norse longships. This Nordic dragon head pin recalls that fearsome sight.

• Material: Pewter with a push pin clasp
• Dimensions: About 1 in x 1 in
• Includes: Color description card on the Vikings

Who Were the Vikings?

The word Viking comes from Old Norse, and the Vikings were seafarers from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The Viking Age ran from the late 8th to the mid-11th century. They raided, traded, and settled across Europe, including Britain and Ireland.

Masters of the Longship

Their wooden longships were long, narrow, and light. The hulls sat shallow in the water. A crew could row up a river or land straight on a beach. This speed and surprise made the Vikings so successful. The reverse of the card explains why.

The Dragon at the Prow

The finest ships carried a carved dragon or serpent head on the prow. The Oseberg ship, built around 820, had one. The head was meant to frighten enemies and guard the crew. It also helped identify a ship. A 12th-century Icelandic law told sailors to remove the head near home. Otherwise it might disturb the spirits of the land. This small pewter dragon head follows that carved prow.

Styling and Wearing the Viking Dragon Pin

Wear the Viking dragon pin on a jacket, shirt, tie, or hat. Some wearers pin one to a cap and a second as a Viking tie tack. It makes a fine gift for a student of the sagas or a Norse history fan. Browse related pieces in our Vikings and Norsemen collection.

Care Notes

Wipe the Nordic dragon head pin with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners. Store it flat to protect the finish.

For More Reading from the Web

• Learn how ship figureheads developed, from the menacing Oseberg dragon to later ships: Figurehead - Encyclopaedia Britannica
• See the carved serpent head from the Oseberg ship and the law about removing it near land: The Serpent from the Oseberg Viking Ship - ScienceNorway
• Find out how the longship's shallow hull let Vikings sail rivers and land on beaches: Longship - Wikipedia