How Nordics and Scandinavians see each other, an article where I go into detail about Viking traits and looks, which languages each Nordic nationality actually uses when communicating with fellow Nordics, how Vikings actually looked (how big they were, how they wore their hair, where they came from, their hair and eye color, etc. Savontaus, Marja-Liisa. Thanks Jonna for your comment, and Im happy to hear you enjoyed the article! While there are some that feature darker Mongoloid-like characteristics, there are others who display very light colored pigments in their skin and hair. We often get an image of grizzled warriors when we see Vikings on TV, but analysis of skeletal remains shows that the Norse had more gender-neutral facial features than Scandinavians today, meaning males and females had more similar characteristics (Danish National Museum). A few notable exceptions have been found on the Oseberg cart from around 800 CE, where shorter haircuts with shaved sides and backs are clearly engraved multiple times, though there are plenty of long-haired specimens as well. (Niskanen 126), [12] [5]. As regards the body, these ladies are usually tall and moderately curvy. This does not mean that all Scandinavians look like this, but it does mean that this is the common view that most people to this day hold on what it means to look Scandinavian, including in the Scandinavian countries. Data There have been multiple publications that have looked at how the Scandinavian Personality Traits are prevalent as much as the light hair and light eyes are prevalent in people with heritage in this region of Europe. Norway Scandinavian The same DNA study also found a higher proportion of dark eye colors in Vikings, than in modern-day Scandinavians, hinting that the Vikings were comprised of a more diverse group of people than the Nordic countries have today. Pale To elaborate on this, facial hair is included under the term androgenic hair, so based on data from the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, we see that over 70% of Nordic men (along with Mediterranean men) can grow a beard or mustache (which is well above the global average). [11], It has been established that the Smi were isolated for many years and come from European roots; however, at some point the Finns appeared. Genes and Languages in Europe: An Analysis of Mitochondrial Lineages. 1995. As recently as 1999, the Smi had not yet been placed on the language and gene map of Europe. The study of Y chromosomal polymorphisms also seems to support the theory of the Smis long isolation; however, it seems that they were not always living completely alone. Vikings were known as clean and hygienic compared to the Anglo-Saxons in England, but for the Muslim chronicler Ibn Fadlan, their way of cleaning themselves seemed disgusting. After all, there could be more reasons Ibn Fadlan described the group of Rus he encountered on the river Volga as tattooed from top to toe, as he mightve wanted them to appear more exotic and barbaric to the Muslim world. Read more about that in my article about Viking Looks! Finnish Genes. Virtual Finland. As a result, much of the Swedish population has similar light features. However, the lack of sunlight shouldnt be a big issue in most cases because Swedes with pale skin can absorb vitamin D faster than those with darker skin. Although it isnt exactly common with Epicanthic folds among the Swedish population, Swedes with Sami heritage (famous examples include Jens Byggmark, Anja Prson and Ingemar Stenmark), and from the northern parts in general, have higher rates of Epicanthic eye folds. [17] In this article, Ill use the terms interchangeably, because although the term Viking stems from the Old Norse word for pirate, it gradually came to encompass all Norse people who embarked upon elaborate naval expeditions from Scandinavia during the Viking Age. Besides their high noses, they have high cheekbones. The prevalence of this gene on the Norwegian west coast is thought to be linked to slaves from Ireland and Scotland being brought to Scandinavia. Iceland Another wave of migrants came into Scandinavia around 4800 years ago from the Russian steppes, originating from the northern shores of the Black sea and commonly called the Western Steppe Herders. All shades of blonde and light brown colors are standard in Sweden, and some Swedes even have red or ginger-colored hair. Symbolism While the Finns speak Finnish and the Smi speak many different languages among themselves, all of these variants of human speech belong to the Finno-Ugric or Uralic language group. I love this site, and I dont want to make sound as Im complaining now but I must say that I am very skeptical of the dark-skinned and blue-eyed people who are said to be the first Scandinavians. I never heard of a darker skin mixing and become as white as we are today. Gods As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. What is interesting here is that this particular hairstyle was so associated with the Vikings/Normans that this English man felt shame that his brothers would wear his hair like that. And despite my own hesitations, Short also believes that when the sagas describe feats of extraordinary strength they may not entirely be heroic exaggeration. As far as I know, the advanced DNA analysis of skeletal remains scientists can do today has proven to be very reliable (the same scientific method has been used to establish the physical traits of Vikings also, and they seem to agree with written records), and its not so hard to imagine Scandinavians skin adapting from dark to light over a long period of time due to changing sunlight exposure, as we are all descendants of dark-skinned Africans (if we go even further back in time) no matter how light our skin color is today. They are also known for having dark eyes. This idea was revolutionary. Vikings largely had similar genetic markers linked to eye color as modern-day Scandinavians according to a massive Viking DNA study published in 2020, meaning the vast majority (50-80+% depending on region) would have blue, green, or hazel eyes following the findings in Peter Frosts European hair and eye color. Scandinavians as a whole are part of a group of ethnicities (along with Finns, English, Irish, Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians, Polish, Hungarians, and Russians) where the Epicanthic fold is occurring more than in other European populations, but still at a much lower frequency than for example Asian ethnicities. This was used in their beards as well, and had the benefit of killing hair lice (a very common problem at the time). Editor's Choice Still this does not answer the underlying question of where the Smi originally came from. Most people from the Nordics have light eyes and hair, and are quite tall compared to other nationalities. (Sanjantila), [7] Ive written an analysis of The Last Kingdom if you want to find out if its worth watching or not. an average adjusted for the population of each country within the region), we can see that the Nordic and Baltic men are the tallest in the world, but as the Baltic ladies are slightly taller (0.5 cm / 0.2 in) than their Nordic sisters, the Baltics narrowly takes the prize as the tallest region in the World in front of the Nordics. Language So its not entirely out of this world to assume that they could also decorate their bodies by other means, just not very likely with the evidence we have available. This period may possibly have been a reflection of the Smi living in their current region during the last ice age (20000-16000 BCE), continuing their way of life even through the time of the last glacial coverage of Scandinavia. The Smi, as well of the Finns, are a very heterogeneous group of people who display a wide range of physical features. That said, it is assumed that having long hair was generally seen as more important the higher up on the social ladder one was, with the jarls having long and elaborate hairstyles, while they had their thralls (slaves, who made up around 20-30% of the population) cut their hair short. Nordic and Scandinavian Physical Traits Today. Viking Age Hairstyles: Historical Examples & Modern Takes, You mightve seen some very cool Norse hairstyles in one of the many Viking-inspired TV shows or movies lately, and thought to yourself are those elaborate picture-perfect haircuts really historically accurate?. They are not afraid to be late. Mythology Mediterranean Europeans The Mediterranean may be a region of Europe that features Spain, The other agents, Life The Scandinavians have high cheekbones, which makes them more likely to be a desirable type of person. Genome Research. How do the modern-day Scandinavians compare to their ancestors? Oslo The Swedish also tend to be very athletic. Scientists are now able to create eerily realistic facial reconstructions, getting us closer than ever to find out who they were and what the Vikings looked like. Lifestyle Niskanen, Markku. I would say 5050, there has always been mosty people with brown hair in Sweden, the vikings did dye their hair blonde. But most have blue eyes, no Thats a high amount, considering that only around 2% of the worlds population has blonde hair [7]. The dating site isnt active in Iceland so the Icelanders were not part of the survey. The colors of their eyes are typically light and are normally gray, brown or a mixture of both. Eyes are typically lighter when there is a lack of melanin in the iris [1]. Your email address will not be published. (Complete Guide), The Scandinavian physical stereotypes are as cliche as they are well-known the stereotypical Scandis are expected to be a bunch of tall, blonde-haired, and blue-eyed Vikings in most peoples minds but can those stereotypes actually be true in modern-day Scandinavia? Fairly recent mass-grave findings in Sweden show some Scandinavians from the Viking Age that were around 180-190 cm tall, and the largest Viking DNA study ever embarked upon shows that the Vikings were highly likely to be tall. So other than the color of the eyes, lets look at which other eye characteristics are unique or interesting in the Scandinavian region. http://virtual.finland.fi/finfo/english/geeneng.html (accessed February 26, 2005). As a native Swede with a Finnish mother, Karl identifies as both Nordic and Scandinavian. Streaming Tips Between 1-10% of the population of Scandinavia have red hair according to studies that have mapped out the so-called red hair genes. Fashion Movies 1. Some Swedes have dark hair, but its more common for them to have lighter hair. The recent rise of medieval fantasy and Viking-themed TV series (with the likes of Vikings, The Last Kingdom, and Game of Thrones) has spawned some Viking looks that are equally iconic as they are historically questionable. As such, it was common that people wanted to hide their Sami heritage, with some even being ashamed of typically Sami features such as high cheekbones and wider eyes (SvD 2012). Although blond hair and eyes are recessive genes, Swedes are more likely to receive these genes because they procreate with one another. Food With the help of modern DNA analysis of ancient Viking remains, we can also establish factors such as what hair color was most common among the Norse people, if they had a lot of body hair, and how likely it was that they had a beard (or at least could grow one). These features make them stand out among their Nordic neighbours. Extensive genetic testing has helped put an end to the false conclusions that came from biased studies, based on everything from tooth size to skull shape. Quiz Among the Sami people (hailing from Northern Scandinavia), high cheekbones are very common. Old Nordic Symbols: Norse Runes & Viking Ornaments (Meanings & Examples). Get in to the Scandinavian spirit at home with our premium museum-quality prints and original apparel sent right to your doorstep with free shipping worldwide. Ragnar & Uthred), it is of course possible that some Vikings styled their hair like that. There is no denying that Ragnar Lothbroks (Vikings) and Uthred of Bebbanburgs (The Last Kingdom) mohawk-ponytail hairstyle is really cool, and they have almost become synonymous with how Vikings should look for many people. The Scandinavian Hunter-Gatherers lived in the region between 8000 BCE and 2800 BCE, and have been found to have had mixed eye colors (ranging from blue to light-brown), mostly dark hair (with the odd blondes present), and intermediate skin color (somewhere in between dark and light) with the odd light-skinned individual also present. It is likely that people in the saga age routinely had strength capabilities greater than those typical of modern people. Another common facial (and body) feature of Swedes is their pale skin. How are Scandinavians (Swedes, Danes, Norwegians) so tall? As briefly mentioned earlier, light eyes are a common trait among Swedes. The Swedish have a blue eye and are taller Nordic Traits When it all comes down to it the classic Nordic/Scandinavian stereotype seems to hold true still. Gedde-Dahl, Issel-Tarver, DiRienzo, Pbo. Stereotypical Scandinavian traits and facial features have since the early 20th century included straight, blonde hair; blue eyes; tall figure; a straight nose; thin lips; and non-prominent cheekbones, according to Werner & Bjrks 2014 book Blond and Blue-eyed. Those with these facial features have high cheekbones, but they are not considered attractive. They have high cheekbones as a result of their heavy brows. Though differences in size are generally bigger between men and women than between different ethnicities. Science Swedes are not only known for having light eyes and pale skin but also for their fair hair. Music Finland She proffers it to her master, who washes his hands and face in it, as well as his hair. The idea that geographical location and genetics plays a huge role in how personality develops. Are Scandinavians seen as unusually attractive? This indicates that Vikings intermingled with people they met on their explorations, both on-location but also bringing them home to Scandinavia in some cases. Identifying the races of Europe and applying specific personality traits to the different regions is certainly not a new idea. The genetic origin of the Smi people is complex and difficult to trace. Keep reading to learn more! Also, many Swedes have light hair, but its not always blondesome may have light brown hair. When you couple this with the opportunity to spend time on athletic endeavors and have access to a protein-rich and generally plentiful diet it is easier to see why some Nordic people tend to generally do well in muscle competitions. Old Norse mythology is filled with fascinating symbolism, and the runic alphabets of Germanic Europe have told numerous tales of heroic deeds and tragic deaths over the years. Recommendations Are Scandinavians and Nordics especially strong? (Niskanen 148), [17] What are typical Swedish features? The Greeks or Hellenes are an ethnic group and nation indigenous to Greece, Cyprus, southern Albania, Anatolia, parts It merely appears this way due to the many generations that the Europeans have been farming, an activity that has caused physical features, such as high cheekbones that allow for bigger masseter muscles to chew tougher food, to reduce in size. Nordic Coffee Culture Explained: From Fika to Kask. Their eyes are light in many cases, including blue and green. Having worked with graphic design for most of my life, Im a huge fan of typography and symbolism, and also a huge history nerd. Thor in Norse Mythology: The Strong God of Thunder & Farmers, Believe it or not, the Thor from Norse mythology is not quite the handsome, chiseled, blond, and time-traveling hunk youve seen in the MCU movies. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification. Natural platinum blonde or near-white hair occurs occasionally among the population in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland, primarily among children (as hair tends to darken with age). Mythology General Smi Website. This ice age did not officially end until 9500 BCE with larger population growth not occurring until 8000 BCE. Please see the About page for details. The Swedish and Danish samples were similar with regard to age distribution, sample size, dental conditions and radiographic procedures. In fact, there isnt really a word for tattoo in Norse, which makes it even less likely to have been a common occurrence. Lifestyle I do believe that there is a typically Swedish face type you rarely see elsewhere. The main feature are large blue eyes that are unusually close to Norse 1999. A study by the National Library of Medicine concluded that its more challenging for skin with more pigmentation (i.e., darker skin) to absorb vitamin D [4]. Top Articles For example, many female skeletons from Viking graves generally had stronger jawlines than modern Scandinavian women, while many men generally had slimmer faces that the Scandinavian men of today. The DNA study of 442 Viking skeletons (published in Nature) reveals that while Viking bands were mostly sourced from Scandinavia, they could also be comprised of Picts and Britons, as well as people with Southern European and even Asian ancestry (sometimes mixed with Scandinavian). Pelvis width can be very useful in this respect., Your email address will not be published. Read Article Now. Finally, there are some written accounts as well that describe hairstyles in more or less detailed ways. Can you tell me which of the articles that refers to and on which page I can find that claim? Scandinavian countries have historically been no nonsense type countries throughout history. Photo International Features. [1] The face is narrow, with a fairly narrow forehead, narrow high-standing nose, and a narrow under jaw with an angularly-set, clear-cut chin. http://www.lysator.liu.se/nordic/scn/faq23.html (accessed February 26, 2005). We can see this more clearly in modern facial reconstructions produced by academics around the world based on skeletal and DNA analysis. A small percentage of Swedish adults may be below the national average. Scandinavians and other Europeans are tall on average primarily due to a vastly improved diet from the mid-1800s and onwards according to Lars Werdelin, a professor in paleozoology at the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Life Scandinavian people also have traditionally had a diet rich in protein, fat, and carbs (crucial for significant muscle growth). Iceland There are no scientific studies suggesting Scandinavians, or any other people for that matter, are considered more attractive than others. He describes them this way: I have seen the Rus as they came on their merchant journeys and encamped by the Volga. History The sagas reveal feats of great strength, and while that may be exaggerated, analysis of skeletal remains show larger-than-average muscle mass. Curious how Vikings actually looked like? Peter Frost also supports this in his study titled European hair and eye color; finding that at least 60% of Scandinavian people have a light head of hair, and at least 50% have light eyes. Even the Vikings were known for bleaching their hair, although the main reason to do so may have been primarily to kill hair lice. Blonde hair is highly prized in many parts of the world, but it is merely an everyday thing in Sweden. This is assuming Viking Age Scandinavians had a similar genetical makeup for certain markers related to beard growth, which the same study supports, mentioning that Vikings largely had similar genetic markers as modern-day Scandis when it comes to hair growth. Ive writtenan article where I go into detail about Viking traits and looks, so if you want to find out more about Vikings looks go take a look. The new theory, using mitochondrial DNA testing, states that the Finns did not arrive in Smiland only a short 3,000 years ago but rather came out of the Smi themselves. The Swedish have a blue eye and are taller than their Nordic neighbors. So the theory is that on top of any Vitamin D youd get from the sun, Scandinavians have also stocked up on it via their fish intake. A survey by Hotels.com and Match.com asked 5000 Nordic singles in 2014 which Nordic country has the most attractive people, and here are the results: Singles in Norway, Denmark, and Finland all voted for Swedes as the most attractive (you could not vote for your own country), while the Swedes overwhelmingly seem to prefer Norwegian women and men. Pale pink skin often with moles, blue eyes, thin to rounded lips, high not that sculptured cheekbones, a bit fat on cheeks(not visable chin/cheek m Denmark Chinese people tend to have wider faces, while Japanese people usually have narrower faces. (Niskanen 122), [15] They also have a rather rounded face and very delicate facial features. Light skinned, balanced facial features, blue eyed and topped with various shades of blond hair for the most part. Some very beautiful some not Western Norway has almost as many redheads as the British isles (who win the red hair race by a mile), whereas southern and northern Sweden barely has any. I have never seen more perfect physical specimens, tall as date palms, blonde and ruddy; they wear neither tunics nor caftans, but the men wear a garment which covers one side of the body and leaves a hand free. So what did the Vikings actually look like? Music Genetic testing has shown that the Finns and the Smi are phenotypically and genetically typical Europeans. [1] But it has so many exciting places that deciding which area to visit can be challenging. Whether the Scandinavian beauty myth is real or not is hard to say, but Nordic magazine The Local listed Beautiful Women and Handsome Men among the top 10 things US expats notice after theyve lived in Sweden for a while. [14] [13], The Finns and the Smi maintained their separate language identity even at a time when other Uralic speakers were losing their language to the Indo-Europeans. Design [6] 2. Shopping Only approximately 17% of the worlds population has blue eyes, a stark contrast with Swedens 78% [3]. [3] Third, Scandinavians do tend to tan and get olive-skinned in the summer, which is due to a mix of genetic makeup, unusually high UV exposure levels, and a diet generally high in Vitamin D. Scandinavians do not have particularly large noses, as Northern Europeans tend to have more narrow noses than people in warmer climates, as an adaptation to the cooler climate. Filed Under: Psychological Articles and Infographics, 2023 HealthResearchFunding.org - Privacy Policy, 14 Hysterectomy for Fibroids Pros and Cons, 12 Pros and Cons of the Da Vinci Robotic Surgery, 14 Pros and Cons of the Cataract Surgery Multifocal Lens, 11 Pros and Cons of Monovision Cataract Surgery. It should also be added that the countries around the Dinaric Alps in Western Balkans would place in the top if S.E. Scandinavian people do not have a very high prevalence of the EDAR gene, thought to be connected with thicker hair (among other traits). Since up to 78% of the Swedish population has blue eyes, its easy to see that blue is the dominant color, even if it is technically a recessive gene! The study of these Y chromosomal polymorphisms shows two major founding male lineages in not only the Smi, but the Finns as well. Christian started Scandinavia Facts to explore his family heritage, raise awareness of one of his academic interests as a professor, and civilly promote the region. The European Origin of the Finns and their Relation to the Indo-. Below the neck, this body hair is generally concentrated on the arms and legs in the Nordics.
How To Accept Party Invites On Xbox App Pc, Articles S