They have been affiliated with being people of great courage and also with being countries that invaded other countries. This is according to genetic research by Medland et al. Here are the average heights of adult males during the Viking Age, derived from sizable archaeological findings: Avg. Introversion also associated with Scandinavian Personality Traits can also mean introspection which is always a good trait. Throughout Scandinavian history the people in the region have had a diet very high in Vitamin D due to a high amount of fish present in the diet. The amount of curly-haired people in the Nordics is furthermore a much lesser part of the population compared to the rest of Europe. Karl, Clothes As briefly mentioned earlier, light eyes are a common trait among Swedes. Pelvis width can be very useful in this respect., Your email address will not be published. 1999. When it all comes down to it the classic Nordic/Scandinavian stereotype seems to hold true still. Icelands epic landscapes draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Their cheekbones are high and their noses are thin. But, it turns out there are some accurate depictions out there too, so there is definitely hope if youd like to find (or create) a historically accurate Viking hairstyle in modern times. Scandinavian people also have traditionally had a diet rich in protein, fat, and carbs (crucial for significant muscle growth). How Did Vikings Actually Look? If youre curious about how exactly Nordic people communicate with each other, Ive written an article where I go into detail aboutwhich languages each Nordic nationality actually uses when communicating with fellow Nordics. Viking merchants were noted for their many tattoos by the Muslim chronicler Ibn Fadlan, but that is the only real evidence of Viking tattoos that we know of, meaning its not very likely to be a widespread phenomenon in the Norse world. 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. Thats a high amount, considering that only around 2% of the worlds population has blonde hair [7]. Are Epicanthic folds common in Scandinavia? March 1998. Read Article Now. Chernoff faces. So we can safely assume that there were Vikings who shaved their heads. The Valkyrie knot is the most commonly depicted hairstyle, as the Valkyries are the most commonly depicted Viking females. Im a Nordic native (a Swede with a Finnish mother to be precise) who likes to get nerdy and share first-hand experiences, data-driven resources, and useful guides to help people discover and understand the culture, people, life, sights, design, and history (Vikings anyone?) So many Swedes have light hair and eyes because its in their genetics. (Julku 183), Origin and Genetic Background of the Smi. Its no so hard to understand Ibn Fadlans disgust, when you factor in that according to muslim faith one has to wash in running water or water poured from a bowl (and not reused). (Carpelan), [9] Still, genealogists from Stockholm university believe modern Swedes are most closely related to the hunter-gatherers from the so-called Pitted Ware culture when it comes to physical appearance. Carpelan, Christian. So it does appear that the Smi experienced a period of isolation and at some point in time the Finns seem to be included in this isolation. Your email address will not be published. It seems the research project is well-funded too (https://kaw.wallenberg.org/forskning/atlas-med-forhistoriskt-dna-ger-ny-bild-av-manniskans-ursprung), so they seem to have the best tools available to analyze this type of scientific data. 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. Mediterranean Europeans The Mediterranean may be a region of Europe that features Spain, The other agents, Greek people features stereotypically include having olive-brown skin, brown eyes and dark brown hair. The Scandinavians have high cheekbones, which makes them more likely to be a desirable type of person. How do the modern-day Scandinavians compare to their ancestors? Scandinavian Graphs According to Swedish scientific magazine Illustrerad Vetenskap, this type of microevolution developed as a response to the cold and snowy climate in the Arctic region, as the fatty fold isolates against freezing temperatures and shields the bright reflection of the snow somewhat. (Gene Expression), [14] [10] The Smi, as well of the Finns, are a very heterogeneous group of people who display a wide range of physical features. WebGenetic studies on Sami is the genetic research that have been carried out on the Sami people.The Sami languages belong to the Uralic languages family of Eurasia.. Siberian origins are still visible in the Smi, Finns and other populations of the Finno-Ugric language family.. An abundance of genes has journeyed all the way from Siberia to Finland, a So what do the rest of the Nordics look like? http://www.lysator.liu.se/nordic/scn/faq23.html (accessed February 26, 2005). WebTwo Scandinavian studies of craniofacial morphology (Ingerslev & Solow 1975, Sarns & Solow 1980) provided an opportunity to compare the facial profile in young adult Swedes and Danes. Darkening the areas around the eyes would also help against sunlight reflections at sea and on snow, so there are likely practical as well as cosmetic elements behind this custom. This false belief was due to linguists of the time believing that Finno-Ugric languages had an eastern origin. Gods 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. This article will discuss what Swedish people look like in more detail. You can also add to the list being introverted, confident and very focused. Science Id say typical scandinavian face is an upturned nose, pale skin, 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. Circum Polar Perspective. They had a diet full of carbs (bread), protein and fat (fish, pork), which combined with constant physical activity from a young age likely produced stronger-than-average men and women. Also, they can have dark eyes with dark or light-colored hair. Design 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. WebSwedish people often look pale due to a lack of melanin. People from all over the world with high cheekbones are often seen as attractive by todays standards, with Swedish beauty contestant Ida Ovmar as one recent example where its worked out in her favor. The Swedish have a blue eye and are taller The dating site isnt active in Iceland so the Icelanders were not part of the survey. Very few adult Scandinavians have natural platinum blonde hair, but plenty has achieved this hair color by means of artificial coloring (as in the rest of the world). 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. Sweden's Saami Policy 1550 Present: Racist? Fashion Still this does not answer the underlying question of where the Smi originally came from. It may be a result of northern Sweden and Norway being the domain of Finno-Ugric Smi reindeer herders, a group that was out of the cultural grasp of the Indo-Europeans that seem to have succeeded in imposing their language only on areas with some level of agriculture. People in Europe have many contrasting facial features that can create them stand out from one another. So, if a person ever decides to visit Sweden, they should be prepared to see lots of blue eyes! Are Scandinavians seen as unusually attractive? 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. Genetic and linguistic data of 1995 seemed to show that the Finns arrived in Smi territory a mere 2,000 to 4,000 years ago, while at the same time adopting the Smi way of speaking. And then again, Vikings loved to express their creative sides in artful and ornamental ways, and were known to have filed down their own teeth in likely attempts to look scarier (and cooler), as seen in archeological findings. While not every Swedish person has delicate features, many do. Vikings were proud of their beards, and facial hair in archeological findings see a sudden increase during the Viking age (compared to the bronze age), suggesting there was a strong cultural preference for beards. Gods & Goddesses The Swedish have a blue eye and are taller than their Nordic neighbors. Oslo ): How Did Vikings Actually Look? Finally, there are some written accounts as well that describe hairstyles in more or less detailed ways. The greater width and length of the mean Dutch female face are highlighted, respectively, in the lateral (Figure 1b: opposing redblue at the left and right exocanthi at 0.7 SD) and vertical heat maps (Figure 1c: yellow on chin at 0.7 SD). 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. We can see this more clearly in modern facial reconstructions produced by academics around the world based on skeletal and DNA analysis. Thank you for visiting Scandinavia Facts. As weve established, most Nordic people today have brightly colored eyes, with some areas reaching up to 80% of the population (P. Frost 2006). In general, Vikings were genetically disposed to be tall on average and started training to become capable warriors from a very young age. Finnish Genes. Virtual Finland. 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. Read More About Modern-Day Nordic Traits. They also often have a straight nose but a hump at the noses bridge. Additionally, there is also a lack of melanin in the skin, causing it to turn pale. This percentage is exceptionally high because light eyes generally are not dominant in most countries outside of Scandinavia. Hooded eyes are prevalent in the Scandinavian population, and studies have shown that about 18 percent of northern Europeans have so-called sagging eyelids (which is related to hooded eyes but more specifically excess skin over your eye that may or may not disrupt your vision). Vikings were often described and depicted with well-groomed and sometimes elaborate facial hair, ranging from full and long beards to more practical Viking-style mutton chops and mustaches. Comparisons ), How the Dutch & Scandinavians Are Connected (Complete Guide), Norse vs. Norwegian vs. Nordic: Differences Explained, Average Height in the Nordics (Data & Graphs), https://kaw.wallenberg.org/forskning/atlas-med-forhistoriskt-dna-ger-ny-bild-av-manniskans-ursprung. Quiz Shoes Some Swedes have dark eyes (like brown), but its more common for people in the country to have blue and other lighter-colored eyes. [15], Sajantilas ten-year old theory, though empowering to the Smi, has been suggested to be somewhat false in many of its aspects, as recently as 2002. Other famous Scandinavians with high cheekbones include Fredrik Ljungberg (pictured below to the right), Mads Mikkelsen, Tim Avicii Berg, and Viggo Mortensen. (Carpelan), [4] DNA analysis of specimens from this period shows that people with this cultures distinctive facial features have dark hair, a mix of light and dark skin, and blue eyes. 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. Q: What are the most common Swedish facial features? Hmm Thats a hard one, but Id have to go with Cheeks. Or maybe chins. People can lose an Denmark The study further reinforces this by showing how the Viking population was very diverse compared to neighboring cultures and peoples, especially in popular trade spots such as Gotland, land, and Zealand. Quiz Hello, I am interested in this claim here: It is believed that Vikings had more gender-neutral facial features than Scandinavians today, meaning males and females had more similar characteristics. All living humans who descended from Africa have about 2% Neanderthal DNA, and this includes Scandinavians. And the eyes are also one of the most important factors of physical attraction. 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! A few of these characteristics are common to all Europeans while others are mainly found in certain ethnic groups. Movies Modern Swedes are closely related to hunter-gatherers of the Pitted Ware culture. Norse The Smi, as well of the Finns, are a very heterogeneous group of people who display a wide range of physical features. Eyes are typically lighter when there is a lack of melanin in the iris [1]. Read more about how The Last Kingdom, Vikings, and Game of Thrones compare. This ice age did not officially end until 9500 BCE with larger population growth not occurring until 8000 BCE. Norway English 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. Many Vikings were named after to their abnormal strength, size, or general prowess, like Gngu-Hrlfr (Walking Rollo; too big to ride a horse), Bjrn Ironside (legend said he could not be harmed in battle), Thorkell the Tall (incredibly skilled warrior and leader of Jomsvikings), and St. Olaf the Stout (the only Viking to be canonized). Old Nordic Symbols: Norse Runes & Viking Ornaments (Meanings & Examples). Hi Love, you can see it to some extent in the various facial reconstructions done by different institutions around the world (based on analysis of DNA and skeletal remains): https://nordicperspective.com/history/vikings/how-vikings-actually-looked-complete-guide#index2, It is also mentioned by the National Museum of Denmark right here: Enjoy your visit! Is there a link between Scandinavians, Vikings, and the Germanic people who migrated across Europe during the fall of the Roman Empire? [3] The average linear dimensions were greater in males than in females, although both groups had slightly higher cheekbones. A small percentage of Swedish adults may be below the national average. 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. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a3d130deea91a297e34a58becbda175b" );document.getElementById("j39e62affa").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Well, in many cases not at all. Being of Swedish Decent myself, cool toned blonde hair, fair skin and usually were quite tall, of slim build and have blue or grey eyes Who is this group of people? 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. Nevertheless, since many light-featured Swedes have children together, the same traits are passed down through generations. However, this doesnt mean that all Swedes are tall. The distinguishing physical characteristics of Polish people are their hair colors of dark ash-blond and medium to dark brown, and their height which ranges from 64.96 to 65.75 inches. While the eyes are not an important part of the Scandinavian facial features, they have bright, large, and beautiful eyes. Scandinavian He also noted that they use a kind of indelible cosmetic to enhance the beauty of their eyes (believed to be Black Henbane). This wave of primarily herders eventually fused with the current habitants (I see a pattern here) to produce the so-called Battle Axe culture group in Scandinavia, establishing themselves and flourishing in modern-day Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Though differences in size are generally bigger between men and women than between different ethnicities. Stockholm 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. In fact, there isnt really a word for tattoo in Norse, which makes it even less likely to have been a common occurrence. 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. 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