Uploaded April 2016 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
The Avaldsnes Blessing: Launching a 115ft Dragon Ship with Traditional Norse Rituals #VikingHistory #NorseMythology #ExpeditionAmerica2016
On April 23, the crew gathered at Avaldsnes, Norwayโs oldest royal seat and the historic home of King Harald Fairhair, for a monumental milestone: the formal unveiling of Draken Harald Hรฅrfagre's dragon head. This sacred ceremony marked the official commencement of Expedition America 2016, invoking ancient traditions to wish the ship and its international crew safe passage across the North Atlantic Ocean. Please visit our website for more information: drakenhh.com
According to old Icelandic laws, dragon heads were removed when approaching friendly shores to avoid frightening local land spirits, but were mounted proudly before venturing out into the perilous open sea to ward off danger.
This footage documents the full resume of historical blessings and symbolic gifts presented to protect the vessel against extreme ocean forces. Project founder Sigurd Ase speaks on the advanced technology of ancient longships and the mental stamina required by our ancestors to lose sight of land, before the intricate, hand-carved dragon head is revealed to the public.
To aid in the voyage, the crew is presented with Hugin and Munin, wooden carvings of Odin's ravens symbolizing thought and memory, while protective runes are hand-carved directly into the bow. After Captain Bjรถrn Ahlander introduces his international crew and receives a traditional message stick to carry safely to New York, the hull is given a final blessing with mead and ale to honor centuries-old shipbuilding customs, bridging the gap between historical archaeology and real modern-day exploration.
๐๐๐จ๐ง'๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ.
youtube.com/@DrakenHH/?sub_confirmation=1
๐ Stay Connected With Us.
Facebook: facebook.com/DrakenHH
Instagram: instagram.com/DrakenHH
Website: drakenhh.com
Twitter (X): https://x.com/DrakenHH
๐ฉ For business inquiries:
=============================
๐ฌSuggested videos for you:
โถ๏ธyoutube.com/watch?v=6bTkmG5b-VQ
โถ๏ธyoutube.com/watch?v=RoVKFerl5iY
โถ๏ธyoutube.com/watch?v=2Poa_yTMJxE
โถ๏ธyoutube.com/watch?v=FnD8qIzgbvs
โถ๏ธyoutube.com/watch?v=qiT2DtDoozg
=================================
#drakenharaldharfagre #vikinghistory #norsemythology #historicvessel #traditionalcraftsmanship #expeditionamerica2016
The Avaldsnes Blessing: Launching a 115ft Dragon Ship with Traditional Norse Rituals
The Avaldsnes Blessing: Launching a 115ft Dragon Ship with Traditional Norse Rituals #VikingHistory #NorseMythology #ExpeditionAmerica2016
On April 23, the crew gathered at Avaldsnes, Norwayโs oldest royal seat and the historic home of King Harald Fairhair, for a monumental milestone: the formal unveiling of Draken Harald Hรฅrfagre's dragon head. This sacred ceremony marked the official commencement of Expedition America 2016, invoking ancient traditions to wish the ship and its international crew safe passage across the North Atlantic Ocean. Please visit our website for more information: drakenhh.com
According to old Icelandic laws, dragon heads were removed when approaching friendly shores to avoid frightening local land spirits, but were mounted proudly before venturing out into the perilous open sea to ward off danger.
This footage documents the full resume of historical blessings and symbolic gifts presented to protect the vessel against extreme ocean forces. Project founder Sigurd Ase speaks on the advanced technology of ancient longships and the mental stamina required by our ancestors to lose sight of land, before the intricate, hand-carved dragon head is revealed to the public.
To aid in the voyage, the crew is presented with Hugin and Munin, wooden carvings of Odin's ravens symbolizing thought and memory, while protective runes are hand-carved directly into the bow. After Captain Bjรถrn Ahlander introduces his international crew and receives a traditional message stick to carry safely to New York, the hull is given a final blessing with mead and ale to honor centuries-old shipbuilding customs, bridging the gap between historical archaeology and real modern-day exploration.
๐๐๐จ๐ง'๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ.
youtube.com/@DrakenHH/?sub_confirmation=1
๐ Stay Connected With Us.
Facebook: facebook.com/DrakenHH
Instagram: instagram.com/DrakenHH
Website: drakenhh.com
Twitter (X): https://x.com/DrakenHH
๐ฉ For business inquiries:
=============================
๐ฌSuggested videos for you:
โถ๏ธyoutube.com/watch?v=6bTkmG5b-VQ
โถ๏ธyoutube.com/watch?v=RoVKFerl5iY
โถ๏ธyoutube.com/watch?v=2Poa_yTMJxE
โถ๏ธyoutube.com/watch?v=FnD8qIzgbvs
โถ๏ธyoutube.com/watch?v=qiT2DtDoozg
=================================
#drakenharaldharfagre #vikinghistory #norsemythology #historicvessel #traditionalcraftsmanship #expeditionamerica2016
The Avaldsnes Blessing: Launching a 115ft Dragon Ship with Traditional Norse Rituals
