Names for Viking Drinking Horns

Drinking horns were incredibly valued tools and spiritual objects in the viking age. The simple name in Old Norse was "horni/horna." However, there were many other ways that they reffered to drinking horns. A horn was often referred to using poetic metaphors called kennings in Old Norse literature. Rather than using simple names, vikings used imaginative phrases to describe these iconic vessels. These kennings were commonly used in skaldic poetry and reflected the Vikings’ deep connection to nature, feasting traditions, and spirituality. This article goes over some of those sources that have creative ways of reffering to drinking horns!

 

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What are Kennings?

Kennings are poetic metaphors used in Old Norse and other Germanic languages to describe objects or ideas in a creative and indirect way. Instead of calling something by its name, a kenning combines two words to create a vivid image. For example, a drinking horn might be called the "beer mansion" or the "halberd of the aurochs," describing its function or origin in a poetic and imaginative manner. These kennings were especially popular in Viking skaldic poetry, adding flair and depth to storytelling while reflecting the culture’s love of symbolism and artistry.

 

List of names for Drinking Horns

This is a great list of all the names  and kennings that reffered to drinking horns and also the exact written source that it can be found in with the original Old Norse text. To see even more complete info on this, visit the Skaldic database.

"Splendid shirt of the yeasts food"

This kenning beautifully describes a Viking drinking horn as the vessel that "clothes" the mead or ale, which is referred to as the "yeast's food." The imagery likens the horn to a protective covering, emphasizing its role in holding the precious drink. 

Næst sék orm á jastar
ítrserki vel merkðan
(nemi bjóðr, hvé ferk) flœðar
(fjarðbáls, of þat máli).

Next I see a serpent, well engraved, on the splendid shirt of the yeast’s flood [BEER > DRINKING HORN]; may the donor of fjord-fire [GOLD > GENEROUS MAN] learn how I treat that in speech.

-Einarr Skúlason, Fragments 3

 

"Beer Mansion"- Old Norse: byggva bjórranns

The kenning "Beer Mansion" paints a vivid picture of a Viking drinking horn as the grand "home" that holds beer or mead. The term evokes the idea of the horn as a prestigious vessel, emphasizing its importance in feasting and rituals.

Hygg eigi beð byggva,
bjórranns, hjá þér, Nanna,
— ek em af angri miklu
ófrýnn — né svá dýnu.
Ok dauðs vallar dáðar
(drekk eigi,) mér þekkja
(áðr í bragnings blóði
bengjóði nef rjóðum).

I do not intend to occupy a bed, and certainly not a feather bed, beside you, Nanna <goddess> of the beer-mansion [DRINKING HORN > WOMAN]; I am grimacing from great anguish. And accomplishments of the field of death are agreeable to me; I shall not drink before we [I] redden the beak of the wound-osprey [RAVEN/EAGLE] in the blood of the prince.

-Þorkell klyppr Þórðarson, Lausavísa 1

 

"The tree of the roots ears"- Old Norse: viðar róta eyrna

This poetic kenning compares a Viking drinking horn to a tree, with the horn's natural curve resembling the "ears" (branches) of the root system. It highlights the connection between the horn and the natural world, reflecting the Norse respect for animals and the earth.

Rístum rún á horni,
rjóðum spjǫll í dreyra,
þau velk orð til eyrna
óðs dýrs viðar róta;
drekkum veig sem viljum,
vel glýjaðra þýja;
vita, hvé oss of eiri
ǫl þats Bárøðr signði.

-Egils saga Skalla-Grímssonar 9

"The mead trench"- Old Norse: mjaðveit

The kenning "Mead Trench" likens a Viking drinking horn to a carved trench that holds flowing mead. This metaphor captures the horn's curved, hollow shape, which serves as the perfect vessel for the sacred mead horn used in Viking feasts and rituals.

Þverra nú, þeirs þverðu,
þingbirtingar Ingva,
(hvar skalk mildra manna)
máreitar dag (leita?),
þeir es hauks fyr handan
háfjǫll digulsnjávi
jarðar gjǫrð við orðum
eyneglða mér heglðu.

-‘Egils saga Skalla-Grímssonar 123

 

"The ale prow"- Old Norse: ǫlstafn

"The Ale Prow" compares a Viking drinking horn to the prow of a ship, evoking its sleek, curved shape and its role in navigating the "sea" of ale or mead. Just as a ship's prow leads the way, the mead horn was central to Viking feasts, guiding participants through rituals of hospitality and unity.

Hugðumk, orms, á armi,
ey lǫggvar, þér hǫggvinn,
væri brúðr í blóði
beðr þínn roðinn mínu;
knættit endr of undir
ǫlstafns Njǫrun Hrafni
(líka getr þat lauka
lind "hagdreyrins") binda.

-Gunnlaugs saga ormstungu 12

 

"The ale-reed"- Old Norse: ǫlreyr

The kenning "Ale-Reed" likens a Viking drinking horn to a hollow reed, emphasizing its role as a vessel for drinking ale. Just as a reed channels water, the mead horn serves as a conduit for the flow of celebratory beverages during feasts and rituals. 

Eykyndill verpr ǫndu
(orðsæl) ok vill mæla
(brúðr hefr baztar rœður)
breksǫm við mik nekkvat;
en til Jarðar orða
ǫlunreyrar gengr heyra
lítill sveinn ok leynisk
launkarr ok sésk fjarnar.

-Bjarnar saga Hítdœlakappa 6

 

"The curved trees of skulls"- Old Norse: bjúgviðum hausa

This kenning compares Viking drinking horns to trees, with their curves resembling branches and the hollowed-out horn representing the "skulls." It vividly symbolizes the transformation of animal horns into vessels for mead and ale, emphasizing their natural shape and their role in Viking feasts.

Hjuggu vér með hjörvi.
Hitt lægir mik jafnan,
at Baldrs föður bekki
búna veit ek at sumblum.
Drekkum bjór af bragði
ór bjúgviðum hausa;
sýtir ei drengr við dauða
dýrs at Fjölnis húsum.
Eigi kem ek með æðru
orð til Viðris hallar.

We hewed with the sword. It always makes me laugh to know that the benches of the father of Baldr <god> [= Óðinn] are prepared for banquets. We’ll soon be drinking beer out of the curved trees of skulls [DRINKING HORNS]; a fellow does not regret death in the dwellings of glorious Fjǫlnir <= Óðinn> [= Valhǫll]. I do not come with words of fear to the hall of Viðrir <= Óðinn> [= Valhǫll].

-Krákumál 25’

 

"The forehead spears of oxen"- Old Norse: ennigeira uxa

This kenning poetically describes Viking drinking horns as the "spears" that once adorned the foreheads of oxen. These mead drinking horns, crafted from oxen or aurochs, carried the essence of the animal into feasts and rituals, reinforcing the sacred connection between the drinker, the animal, and the divine. 

Því betr mér þykkir,
ef þá skal valr falla
nær vér fráligra færum
fót at geira móti.
Drekkum alt af uxa
ennigeira hlenni;
vera mun snarpra sverða
svipun, ef ek skal ráða.

It will seem to me so much better, if then the slain are to fall, when we quickly betake our feet to the meeting of spears [BATTLE]. Let us drink fully from the resounding sea (?) of the forehead-spears of oxen [HORNS > DRINK]; there will be a swinging of sharp swords [BATTLE], if I am to have my way.

-‘Áns saga bogsveigis 3

 

"Spears of the bull"- Old Norse: svigðis geira

The kenning "Spears of the Bull" compares Viking drinking horns to the pointed horns of a bull, symbolizing their strength and natural beauty. These mead drinking horns, crafted from bull or aurochs horns, carried the vitality of the animal into Viking feasts and rituals. The term underscores the sacred connection between the Norse drinking horn, the animal it came from, and its role in honoring the gods and fostering community during celebratory gatherings.

Varð framgengt,
þars Fróði bjó,
feigðarorð,
es at Fjǫlni kom.
Ok sikling
svigðis geira
vágr vindlauss
of viða skyldi.

The word of doom that fell upon Fjǫlnir was fulfilled where Fróði lived. And the windless wave of the spears of the bull [HORNS > BEER] was to destroy the prince.

-Þjóðólfr ór Hvini, Ynglingatal 1

 

"Swords of the bull" Old Norse: mæki sveiðurs

The kenning "Swords of the Bull" compares Viking drinking horns to the sharp and curved horns of a bull, likening them to weapons of strength and power. Just as a sword is central to a warrior, the Norse drinking horn was essential to Viking rituals and feasts, representing honor, unity, and the sacred act of sharing mead or ale.

Knátti endr
at Uppsǫlum
ánasótt
Aun of standa.
Ok þrálífr
þiggja skyldi
jóðs alað
ǫðru sinni.
Ok sveiðurs
at sér hverfði
mækis hlut
inn mjávara,
es okhreins
ôttunga rjóðr
lǫgðis odd
liggjandi drakk.
Máttit hárr
hjarðar mæki
austrkonungr
upp of halda.

Decrepitude long ago overtook Aunn at Uppsala. And the one tenacious of life had to receive the food of an infant a second time. And he turned the narrower part of the sword of the bull [HORN] toward himself when the reddener of kinsmen [= Aunn] drank lying down [from] the tip of the sword of the yoke-reindeer [BULL > HORN]. The grey-haired eastern king could not hold up the sword of the bull [HORN].

-Þjóðólfr ór Hvini, Ynglingatal 13

 

"Sword of the yoke reindeer"- Old Norse: lǫgðir okhreins

The kenning "Sword of the Yoke Reindeer" describes a Viking drinking horn as the curved horn of a reindeer, likened to a sword for its sleek and pointed shape. This metaphor highlights the natural elegance of the mead drinking horn, connecting it to the strength and resilience of the reindeer.

Knátti endr
at Uppsǫlum
ánasótt
Aun of standa.
Ok þrálífr
þiggja skyldi
jóðs alað
ǫðru sinni.
Ok sveiðurs
at sér hverfði
mækis hlut
inn mjávara,
es okhreins
ôttunga rjóðr
lǫgðis odd
liggjandi drakk.
Máttit hárr
hjarðar mæki
austrkonungr
upp of halda.

Decrepitude long ago overtook Aunn at Uppsala. And the one tenacious of life had to receive the food of an infant a second time. And he turned the narrower part of the sword of the bull [HORN] toward himself when the reddener of kinsmen [= Aunn] drank lying down [from] the tip of the sword of the yoke-reindeer [BULL > HORN]. The grey-haired eastern king could not hold up the sword of the bull [HORN].

-Þjóðólfr ór Hvini, Ynglingatal 13

 

"Sheathless sword of the bull"- Old Norse: skíðlauss hjǫrr hœfis

The kenning "Sheathless Sword of the Bull" portrays a Viking drinking horn as a horn taken from a bull, likened to an unsheathed weapon ready for use. 

Ok lofsæll
ór landi fló
Týs ôttungr
Tunna ríki.
En flæmingr
farra trjónu
jǫtuns eykr
á Agli rauð,
sás of austmǫrk
áðan hafði
brúna hǫrg
of borinn lengi.
En skíðlauss
Skilfinga nið
hœfis hjǫrr
til hjarta stóð.

And the famous descendant of Týr <god> [= Swedish king] fled the country before the power of Tunni. And the roamer, the draught-animal of the giant [BULL], which before had long borne the cairn of the brows [HEAD] about the eastern forest, reddened its weapon of the bull [HORN] upon Egill. And the sheathless sword of the bull [HORN] stuck in the heart of the descendant of the Skilfingar [= Swedish king].

-‘Þjóðólfr ór Hvini, Ynglingatal 14

 

"Halberd of the aurochs"- Old Norse: atgeir ýrar

The kenning "Halberd of the Aurochs" likens a Viking drinking horn to the long, curved horns of the powerful aurochs, an ancient and now-extinct species of wild cattle. Just as a halberd is a weapon of strength and precision, the mead horn symbolized vitality and the primal energy of the animal. 

Ǫl ber mér, þvít Ǫlvi
ǫl gerir nú fǫlvan,
atgeira lætk úra
ýring of grǫn skýra;
ǫllungis kant illa,
oddskýs, fyr þér nýsa,
(rigna getr at regni)
regnbjóðr (Háars þegna).

-Egils saga Skalla-Grímssonar 10

 

Conclusion on Names for Drinking Horns

Viking drinking horns were more than just practical vessels, they were cultural symbols infused with creativity and meaning. Through poetic kennings like "beer mansion" and "halberd of the aurochs," the Vikings celebrated their connection to nature, tradition, and the sacred act of sharing mead or ale. These imaginative names reveal how important Viking drinking horns were to feasts, rituals, and Norse society as a whole. 

To see our great collection of drinking horns based on the historical sources and archeological finds, shop here!

https://norseimports.com/collections/historical-viking-drinking-horns