Uploaded December 2017 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
How did the Viking calendar work?
The Viking Age calendar was not based on the modern Gregorian system. Instead, Norse societies used a lunar or lunisolar calendar with only two seasons: winter and summer. Months were counted from moon to moon, and their names were closely tied to farming, weather, ritual feasts, and the gods.
In this video, I explain how the Viking calendar functioned, how the Old Norse months were named, and why dates could shift from year to year. You’ll learn about winter months like Ýlir (the Yule month), Þorri, and Gói, as well as summer months such as Harpa, Sólmánuður, and Heyannir.
I also walk through how the Vikings named the days of the week, many of which are still connected to Norse gods today—such as Odin (Wednesday), Thor (Thursday), Tyr (Tuesday), and Freyja or Frigg (Friday).
This calendar system reflects a society deeply connected to nature, agriculture, and seasonal rituals rather than fixed dates. If you’re interested in Norse mythology, Viking Age history, or how ancient cultures understood time, this video offers a clear and source-based overview.
Social:
Facebook: facebook.com/Skjaldenspage
Website: skjalden.com
#VikingCalendar #NorseMythology #VikingHistory #LunarCalendar #OldNorse #NorseReligion #VikingAge #NorseGods #Yule #Jul #NordicCulture #Skjalden
How did the Viking calendar work?
The Viking Age calendar was not based on the modern Gregorian system. Instead, Norse societies used a lunar or lunisolar calendar with only two seasons: winter and summer. Months were counted from moon to moon, and their names were closely tied to farming, weather, ritual feasts, and the gods.
In this video, I explain how the Viking calendar functioned, how the Old Norse months were named, and why dates could shift from year to year. You’ll learn about winter months like Ýlir (the Yule month), Þorri, and Gói, as well as summer months such as Harpa, Sólmánuður, and Heyannir.
I also walk through how the Vikings named the days of the week, many of which are still connected to Norse gods today—such as Odin (Wednesday), Thor (Thursday), Tyr (Tuesday), and Freyja or Frigg (Friday).
This calendar system reflects a society deeply connected to nature, agriculture, and seasonal rituals rather than fixed dates. If you’re interested in Norse mythology, Viking Age history, or how ancient cultures understood time, this video offers a clear and source-based overview.
Social:
Facebook: facebook.com/Skjaldenspage
Website: skjalden.com
#VikingCalendar #NorseMythology #VikingHistory #LunarCalendar #OldNorse #NorseReligion #VikingAge #NorseGods #Yule #Jul #NordicCulture #Skjalden
