Viking Code of Conduct and Martial Arts
When most people think about the Vikings that once wandered the Norwegian fjords, they tend to picture chaotic and violent warriors that lived by no one's rules. However, the reality is that they had a complex honor system that they lived by. In fact, this code of conduct has since been labelled the “Nine Noble Virtues” and shares a lot of similarities with the Knight's Code of Chivalry, the Bushido Code, and the Tenets of Martial Arts taught here at Strickland’s Martial Arts. As the name suggests, the Viking honour system was composed of nine key principles that every member of society was expected to abide by.
While historical records of the Viking age (roughly 793-1066 AD) provide some insights, much of what is known about Viking ethics comes from sagas and later writings. Comparing these values to those found in modern martial arts can provide a fascinating look at how ancient warrior ethos align with contemporary practices today. Here are the Nine Noble Virtues that governed the fearsome Viking tribes and how they compare with today’s tenets.
Courage or Bravery
It likely does not come as much of a surprise that this group of legendary warriors valued courage. Although courage on the battlefield is only a small part of what this virtue actually means. Although being courageous enough to face your fears and enter the battlefield was important in the viking world, it also took a lot of courage for them to live their everyday lives and stand up for what they believed in. Therefore, every Viking strived to be courageous in every element of their life.
Students of martial arts are encouraged to face challenges and opponents with bravery and courage. Training often involves overcoming personal fears and pushing both physical and mental limits.
Both the Vikings and today’s martial artists highly value courage. For Vikings, this was manifest in battle and exploration. For martial artists, it is seen in the willingness to face challenges, free spar, and to compete in tournaments.
Truth or Honesty
Lying was something that the Vikings believed to be one of the worst infractions that a person could make. They believed that telling the truth in every situation was always the best course of action. Doing anything else was considered cowardly.
Honesty and fairness are core values. Martial arts students are expected to act with integrity, whether in training, competition, or daily life.
Both the Vikings and martial artists value fairness. While Viking justice could be harsh, it was a structured system of resolving conflicts. Martial arts emphasize fairness in competition and ethical behavior.
Honor or Reputation
A big part of the Nine Noble Virtues was the presence of honor in a vikings life. For Vikings, being honorable meant that they were able to be true to what they believed in. Whatever belief system a specific Viking may have had, it was important for them to stand up for those beliefs even in the face of adversity and doing so was regarded as being very honorable.
Respect for oneself, one’s instructor, and fellow practitioners is fundamental. Martial arts students are taught to honor traditions, the dojo, and the multiple disciplines.
The importance of honor is a clear commonality. While Vikings were concerned with personal and family honor, martial artists focus on individual integrity and the honor of their practice and school.
Fidelity or Loyalty
This belief in fidelity extended far beyond the modern understanding of it, which is to remain monogamous with your life partner. They also applied this belief in fidelity to friends and family as well, which meant that Vikings had to be unequivocally loyal to those that were close to them.
There is a strong sense of loyalty to one’s school or dojo, instructor, and training partners. This loyalty fosters a supportive community and a sense of belonging. It fosters a tribe.
Loyalty in martial arts, not unlike the Viking, is centered on family and tribe. The school is a community of loyal and dedicated practitioners. Both emphasize strong bonds and support systems.
Discipline or Self-Control
Having the level of self-discipline that was required as part of the Viking honor system meant being able to follow their beliefs even when it was not convenient. If a Viking only chose to act for what they believed in when it suited them, then they were considered to have very little discipline and were not held in high regard.
Martial arts practice require significant self-discipline and control over one’s emotions and actions. Students learn to master their impulses and react calmly under pressure.
Both cultures teach the importance of relying on one's own skills and maintaining personal self control.
Hospitality
A lot of people may be shocked to learn that hospitality was a big part of the Viking honor system. They believed that everyone should be treated with dignity and courtesy, which was further amplified by their belief that the gods would occasionally visit people in human form, so any stranger could potentially be a god visiting Earth. Therefore, mistreating a guest could potentially be a divine offense.
In martial arts courtesy is the first tenet and therefore one of the most important.
Both cultures show the importance of courtesy and dignity.
Industriousness
The Vikings generally believed that if something was worth doing then it was worth doing well. This meant that anyone who could be viewed as being lazy or not giving their full effort in anything they did was regarded as being a lesser person.
In martial arts training being Industrious means putting forth the effort needed to become a better person, student or competitor.
Both place a strong emphasis on doing your best. Putting in the work makes one better!
Self-Reliance
The Vikings believed that having to depend on anyone else for their livelihood was a dangerous position to be put in. This meant that they needed to be able to provide everything they needed without outside help. However, this also extended to their family, so being unable to be a provider for their family was also considered shameful.
Martial arts require significant self-discipline and control over one’s emotions and actions. Practitioners learn to master their impulses and react calmly under pressure.
Vikings' value of independence is mirrored in the self-discipline required in martial arts. Both cultures teach the importance of relying on one's own skills and maintaining personal control.
Perseverance
Giving up was not an option for Vikings. Their honor system prevented them from stopping something when it got a little tough. They were required to keep trying it until they either succeeded or were physically unable to try again.
There little if any difference here between the perseverance of either the vikings of that of a martial arts student. If one wants something bad enough they will see it through until the end.
Quitting in either culture was/is never an option. If you want it, go and get it!
Conclusion
While the Nine Virtues of the Viking code of conduct and modern martial arts principles stem from different cultural contexts and historical periods, they share many core values. Both systems emphasize courage, honor, loyalty, and a structured approach to justice and fairness. Understanding these similarities can provide a deeper appreciation of how ancient warrior cultures influence and resonate with contemporary martial practices today. With such an in-depth honor system that they were expected to follow, it is clear that Vikings were not just the ruthless warriors that movies portray them to be.
