Runsten in Sweden – Interesting history of human art and emotional skill from Viking age

Runsten (English: Rune Stone) refers to typically a raised stone with a runic inscription, but the term can also be applied to inscriptions on boulders and on bedrock. The tradition began in the 4th century and lasted into the 12th century, but most of the runestones date from the late Viking Age [Runestone – Wikipedia ]. Runestones occur throughout the Nordic cultural area – Sweden, Norway and Denmark, as well as in some areas with Nordic influence. 

It is really interesting how humans in Nordic area used the inscription on stone to express their emotion such as love, respect and honour of exceptional , beloved persons in their lives. They used to make this in memory of there loved ones. And more interestingly, they raised this stone in the central place of the village or their community. In more than 90% of cases, the people who had stones were found dead. Every eighth stone was erected by a single woman, one in ten by a woman along with several men; often the widow and sons of the dead, but sometimes also sisters and brothers. Specially it is always made by a person for another person.  Like you give honour to another person.  There are about 3720 number of runsten found in Sweden alone and about 3000 more around other part of world (Mostly nordic countries). 

During my visit to different places near to Stockholm. I have seen several of these but I love this runsten ( U 1011 ) really interesting. It was carved by  Vigmund and Åfrid during 11th Century. It is now stands in the Uppsala University Park in central Uppsala in Uppland. It is unusual for someone to have carved a memorial during their lifetime over himself, as Vigmund has done here and boastfully tried to win God’s grace. In the text, he says that he has been a “ship chief” and the most skilled of men. The memorial is thus a “steering master stone” erected in honor of a mate, the ship’s commander.  Tentative translation as written on the runestone “Vigmund had the stone cut in memory of himself, the most skilled of men. God help the soul of the shipowner Vigmund. Vigmund and Åfrid cut the memorial while he was alive.”  [Uppland runic inscriptions 1011 – Wikipedia ]

Interesting is not it!! In a lighter sense, on a positive note, you may consider that . You need to praise yourself if no one else is doing. Self motivation as seen from 11th Century. I love this picture. Sharing below. If you ever visit Uppsala university do visit this at University park. There are many other runestones around. 

Thanks for reading. Have nice time. Now please smile 🙂 😊 or laugh loud if no one around!😁Cheers!

The runestone, I love, image credit Prof. Andrzej Wojcik

Description of the runestone U1011. Zoomed in!