The Vikings Numbers (numbers, hours, date, calendar)

If the Vikings had their own alphabet (known as the runic alphabet ), they also had their own cipher and number . Their own calendar too, with their own seasons and holidays .

Here is what you will find in this article :

1. Viking numbers
2. The Viking calendar (12 months)
3. Viking days of the week
4. The Viking Hours

Viking numbers

In the Viking writings, it is sometimes possible to find numbers noted in the form of runic inscription. Of symbol therefore. However, this remains very rare and it is more common to find the digits and numbers written in whole words .

List of cardinal numbers in the Vikings:

List of ordinal numbers in the Vikings:

The importance of the number 9 among the Vikings

Among the Viking peoples, the number 9 is undoubtedly the most significant. Indeed, it represents the 9 kingdoms that make up the world according to Norse mythology : Asgard, Midgard, Jötunheim, Svartalfheim, Niflheim, Vanaheim, Alfheim, Muspellheim, Helheim.

But that's not all. The number 9 also refers to the 9 days and 9 nights that the God Odin spent hanging from a tree .

To the 9 steps taken by Thor before dying during his fight against the Midgard Serpent during Ragnarök.

Like the 9 mothers who gave birth to Heimdall and the 9 daughters of the giant Aegir . And much more…

The Viking Calendar

The Vikings also lived on a year with 12 months , but on the other hand had only two seasons : summer and winter. Each of these two seasons consisted of 6 months. Summer obviously corresponded to the production period, and winter (cold season) to the consumption period.

List of months of the year in the Vikings:

And among the Vikings as among all peoples today, certain calendar dates are to be remembered and celebrated. One thinks in particular of the winter solstice , where the Vikings used to celebrate Jol / Yulle . On this day, Scandinavians celebrated fertility and renewal . After Christianization, the Viking peoples replaced this holiday with Christmas celebrations .

The days of the vikings

The days are called " dagr " among the Vikings. Which literally means "sunny time". In general, a Viking's day begins at 5 a.m. and ends around 10 p.m. And this even when the sun barely rises during the day… And yes, in the Scandinavian countries, the sun barely sets for six months, and hardly rises for another six months.

Just like us, the Vikings had the seven days of the week . Each of their names originates from the names of great deities of Norse mythology.

List of days of the week in the Vikings:

The hours among the Viking peoples

The Viking peoples had real experience in astronomy . And for good reason, it was by observing the sun and the stars that the Viking peoples more or less deciphered the time.

The star Arcturus is the day star . At the end of winter and in spring, in Scandinavia, it is still visible just before sunrise, and indicates its arrival. The star Vega, on the other hand, is the southern star . During the summer, it is visible at midnight.

Each day, which lasts 24 hours , is divided into 8 distinct parts . And each of them has a very specific name.

List of hours at the Vikings: