Vikings are known for being brave, aggressive, and eager to win. They are also called “men of the sea” and “Nordic adventurers.”
When things were bad, they were also called “fighting survivors.” You don’t have to live in Miklagaard, a place in Nordic mythology, to style your Viking Dreads.
People have worn their hair in dreadlocks like the Vikings ever since the TV show “Vikings” started. Vikings were known for being brave, aggressive, and eager to win.
They were also called “men of the sea.” People also thought they were the best fighters at the time. You don’t have to live in the Miklagaard of Nordic mythology to wear your hair like a Viking man.
Table of Contents
A Short History of Viking Dreads
The Vikings were Norse explorers known for how they looked and how brutal they were in battle.
Even though there are a lot of different opinions about how wild the Vikings were, there’s no denying that they had a unique look.
Who, you ask?
The history of how Vikings got their dreadlocks is complicated. Some people say that dreadlocks came from India, but most people say they came from Egypt because the god Shiva and his followers had dreadlocks.
It’s possible that dreadlocks came from Indian spirituality. But the first proof that people had dreadlocks came from Egypt, where archaeologists discovered mummies with dreadlocks still in place.
No matter where it came from, almost every culture had a time when people wore their hair in dreadlocks.
For instance, the Romans said that the hair of the Celts looked “like snakes.” The Germanic tribes and the Vikings also wore dreadlocks.
There are even strong hints that many early Christians wore dreadlocks, like Sampson, who had seven hair locks that made him so strong they were unnatural.
Are Viking Dreads Common?
The Vikings don’t have a lot of written history or literature, so there isn’t much hard information about them.
The Vikings kept their culture alive by telling stories about it, but much of it has been lost over time. Most of what we know about the Vikings comes from other people who met them and wrote about them.
According to Roman writers, some Vikings’ hair was so long that it looked like ropes. So, it’s very likely that Vikings had dreads or braids.
Because they lived close to each other, Vikings and Celtic people often got together. It is known that Celts wore their hair in dreads, which may have inspired the Vikings to do the same.
Celts called this hairstyle “elflocks” or “fairy-locks” because they thought mischievous elves and fairies had knotted and tangled their hair while they slept.
How to Put Viking Dreads to Good Use
Men who want to try dreadlocks have talked about Viking dreads for a long time. Viking-style dreads are made with extensions or hair weave for a natural-looking hairstyle that looks like a real loss.
Here’s what you need to do to try out dreaded Viking hair:
• Why does it matter what kind of hair you have when you want to make Viking dreadlocks? Look at the texture of your hair to figure out which method to use and how long it will take. Most of the time, hair with a softer texture takes more than a year to lock, but hair with a rougher texture can lock in a few months.
• Curly, wavy, or coily hair naturally tangles and twists around other hair strands. The key to making the Vikings scared is to do this natural thing. If a person with naturally curly hair doesn’t comb it or do anything else to make it less tangled for a while, their hair will lock on its own.
• You need a locking tool to make a pattern of coils that will eventually become a lock for longer hair. When the hair is long enough to grab and move, there is a different way to lock it.
• Starter locks are exactly what they sound like: they are the first steps in a process that will change and grow. Starter locks are like two-strand twists that are put in on purpose so that they can grow into full locks or dreadlocks.
• Use a clarifying shampoo every time you wash your hair to start with a clean slate and get rid of any buildup of products or oil on your hair strands. Don’t use thick and creamy conditioners because they will build up in your hair.
Why did Vikings wear dreadlocks?
Despite what people think, Vikings cared about cleanliness and were surprisingly well-groomed. So, they were very happy with how their hair turned out.
Men had fancy hairstyles, which might have included dreadlocks. Here are some of the most common ideas about why Vikings might have had dreadlocks.
As a Status Symbol
Historians think that the Vikings’ dreads showed how important they were. A lot of enslaved people were around because the Vikings traded them.
Enslaved people probably had to keep their hair short to stand out from the rest of the people. So, people with long, fancy hairstyles were seen as more important.
Vikings were practical
Viking men were always fighting and moving around. But people liked and respected people with long hair.
It wouldn’t have made sense for them always to have their hair down, so they used dreadlocks to keep their long hair from getting in the way when they fought.
For intimidation
Strange hairstyles probably scared people from other countries. Ancient Romans thought that having dreads made your hair look like snakes. People who grew up hearing stories about monsters with snake hair like Medusa found this scary.
Who wore dreadlocks first?
Historians agree that neither the Vikings nor the Celts were the first people to wear their hair in dreadlocks. We don’t know where dreads came from, which is too bad.
They’ve been seen on almost every continent, from North America and Aboriginal Australia to Asia and the Middle East. Dreadlocks are different from other hairstyles because they can grow on their own.
In the past, when people didn’t have many ways to style their hair, this was very important.
People from all over the world had matted hair, so it’s impossible to say that the style came from just one group.
Which cultures had dreadlocks?
People have worn dreadlocks on almost every continent, as we’ve already said. This part will talk about some cultures where dreadlocks are common.
Africa
In Africa, people have been wearing dreadlocks for hundreds of years. Since African hair is curly, everyone from shamans to warriors wore dreads.
Even if you brush your curly or wavy hair, it will still get tangled. Some tribes, like the Kenyan Maasai, used red pigments in their hair to make their dreadlocks stand out.
America
People of different races in the south, north, and center of America have worn dreadlocks. Native American men from different tribes decorated their long hair rolls with clay, animal fat, and paint.
Asia
One of the oldest religions in the world talks about dreadlocks by name.
Europe
As you now know, the Vikings, Celts, and other Germanic people braided their hair into long strands that looked like rope. Even so, they weren’t the only Europeans who did this.
The first art with dreadlocks was in ancient Greece. People didn’t always choose to wear dreadlocks on purpose.
They just meant that the strands hadn’t been taken care of most of the time. One of the best-known examples of this is the Polish plait.
The Middle East
People often think this means “dreads,” and many of the first Christians wore their hair like this as a tribute.
Jewish priests were not allowed to shave or comb their hair in the old city of Jerusalem. Many historians think that this is why their hair got tangled and turned into dreadlocks.
How to style dreadlocks like a Viking
Are you ready for the best cut you’ve ever had? The only way you can wear your hair to war? This is what happens when you try to look like a Viking.
DNA STYLE HELIX
People know that these men of the sea, thunder, and axes have dreadlocks that twist and turn. The Vikings either had rough, thick hair or hair that was smooth and shiny.
Men with straight hair can’t pull off Viking dreadlocks, but DNA-style helical updo dreadlocks are easy to do. It gives your hair a real Viking look, even if it is as smooth as silk.
CRISSCROSS DREADLOCKS BY THE SIDE
This Viking hairstyle looks best on hair that is curly or wavy. You can leave the longer side alone and braid the longer hair on the side that was shaved. It’s like getting two different haircuts at the same time.
OVERLAPPING DREADLOCKS
Having dreadlocks that overlap is cool. You can make a few hard shaves on the top of your head to show where the dreads will go, and then you can weave the dreads together like magic.
At the back of the head, the dreadlocks would overlap and be tied into a ponytail.
UNDERCUT AND DREADS
Men with Viking hairstyles can benefit from having a strong undercut in more than one way. You have to pick the one that suits you best.
Tell your hairdresser to give you Viking dreadlocks and tie the ends of the dreads on top of your head. So, there you have it. A Viking man would probably kill for this practical and stylish hairstyle.
SUBTLE DREADLOCKS
If you look at the well-known Herald Finehair, you can get the look of Viking dreadlocks without having dreadlocks. In movies, this historical person’s hair is done in a fishtail braid that looks like dreadlocks worn during the war.
This style is easy to change if you have long, thick hair and want to braid it like dreadlocks.
Taper fade with twisted cornrow inspired dreadlocks
Men can wear their dreadlocks differently and more subtly. If you twist your dreadlocks, so they look “slicked in the back” you can wear them like a Viking.
The cool and hip Viking haircut would look even better with a taper fade and shaved sides. This way, you’ll get the best of both worlds.
DREAD BUN
Dread Buns aren’t “fun.” Tie your long, thick hair to your head (I admit, it takes strength). And you are done. A simple haircut for men that stands out.
You can braid up a long, thick beard that makes you stand out. It will give your Viking-themed outfit something new and cool.
LONG DREADLOCK PONYTAIL
The Vikings were brave warriors and explorers who liked to take risks. They didn’t have time for pretty things that didn’t help them.
Because of this, most of their original hairstyles are very useful and can be worn when you don’t want to mess up your well-kept hair but still want to look cool.
If that’s important to you, it’s both stylish and useful. Do it already!
WEAR DREADLOCKS DOWN
You can sit back and take it easy while your heavy dreadlocks style themselves. Keep your dreadlocks in a small area, and you will be fine. With the weight at the end, the locks will stay still.
Cross the path of Dreadlock
Try something new and something old at the same time. This horrible hairstyle with a Mohawk and a fade works best on hair that isn’t symmetrical.
You can leave the longer side alone and use the longer hair next to the side that has been shaved to make dreadlocks. It’s like having two different hairstyles at the same time.
Both Undercut and Dreadnought
Covering dreadlocks are cool! You could make a few hard “haves” on the top of your head to show where the “dreads” will be woven, and then you could do the magic of making “looks.”
The dreadlocks would cross over each other and be tied into a ponytail at the back of the head.
The Short Horrible
Viking hairstyles for men can use strong short undercuts. You have to take a chance on the one that will work best for you.
Tell your hairdresser to give you Viking dreadlocks and tie the end of them to the top of your head. So, there you have it: a Viking man’s hairstyle is both stylish and useful.
Braided Mohawk
If you want to look like a Viking without having dreadlocks, you can look at the famous Herald Fine hair for ideas.
This historical figure is shown in the movie to have a braid that looks like dreadlocks during the war. It looks like a fishtail. If you have long, straight hair and want to braid it like dreadlocks, you can change this style quickly.
Slick Back Hairstyle
Men can wear their dreadlocks differently and more subtly. Wear dreadlocks that look like they were “listed in the basin” in a rough Viking way.
The cool and hip Viking hairstyle would look even more modern with a taper fade. All in one style: a Viking look, dreadlocks with a sorrow theme, and a taper fade with a design.
Man Bun Undercut
The man was afraid that buns aren’t “fun.” I know it takes strength, but tie your big dreadlocks at the base of your head. And you are done.
If your hair is very thick, long, and straight, you can braid it. It will make your Viking costume look even better.
Viking Mohawk Dreads
If you don’t want to look like a Viking, you’ll have to put your long hair in buns. Show off your Viking dreadlocks with a Mohawk. You could make it look better by adding some color.
Or, you can leave your dreamlands as they are and add effects to the had region. In either case, this is a great Viking-inspired summer hairstyle for men.
A blonde with dreads
While your heavy dreadlocks do their thing, you can relax. Just keep your Viking dreadlocks in a slight ruffle, and you’re done. In the tir area, the elves will stay in touch with the stars.
And you don’t have to work too hard to look rough and tough. Isn’t that wonderful? That’s right!
Conclusion
Vikings were known for being brave, aggressive, and eager to win. They were also called “men of the sea.” People also thought they were the best fighters at the time.
Just have the courage to wear your new dreadlocks hairstyle and think of yourself as a Viking. It shouldn’t be too hard.
