Viking Motto in Old Norse

According to a definition, motto is a short expression of a guiding principle. Mottos in ancient languages have always been popular, since they express such principles with authority and wisdom of the ancients. User friendly interface below helps to create online mottoes in Old Norse, the language of the Vikings. Catchy phrases that can be created using this tool may be also interpreted as Viking slogans or even battle cries. Such a motto would adorn a weapon as an inscription or shock enemies when shouted during a reenactment of a Viking battle.

If you would like to write your motto with runes, follow this tutorial:
How to Write in Old Norse With Runes

1. (noun) and (noun)
E.g.: blood and death

  and  




2. (noun) is (noun) to (noun)
E.g.: man is wolf to man

  is    to  



3. from (noun), (noun)
E.g.: from suffering , wisdom

from    ,  



4. (noun) (verb)
E.g.: time flies



5. (noun) is in (noun)
E.g.: gladness is in battle

  is in  



Based on the Latin motto generator, with the author’s kind permission.

Waiver of Liability

Keep in mind that computer generated texts should be used with caution for any permanent use like tattoos or engravings. This tool is provided “as is”, without warranty of any kind.

165 comments… add one
  • Niko

    Im trying to find out how to spell Truth and Honor, in old norse symbols. I want it for a tattoo, and I want to make sure i dont get something on my body that makes no sense in the actual language, please help me out brah

  • andrew

    i isi er andi would translate for spirit in ice on the generator correct? I am looking for a tattoo.

    • Viking Rune

      Hello Andrew. Yes, it’s correct as far as I can judge.

  • brittany

    this is just awesome

    • Viking Rune

      Hello Brittany. Thanks for the feedback.

  • Athena

    I have been having difficulty finding how to translate the two verses to Old Norse, or at least to how it would be phrased. 1st is “Ravin as a wolf”. The 2nd is “shall devour the prey”. Could you possible help me?

    • Ellert

      If you mean raven it should be something like this 1st “hrafninn sem ulfur” 2nd “skal eta bradina”

  • Cameron

    Hello,
    I’ve been reading through your web pages trying to find a way to translate a phrase/motto for a tattoo.
    “Blood is thicker than water”
    Meaning: Family is stronger than all else
    I’m of German heritage to I figured Elder Futhark would be the most correct runic alphabet to use as it is the oldest and relates to all Germanic tribes.
    How would I go about creating this? I have tried the rune converter but like you warn, it is to be taken “as is” and cannot be 100% counted on.
    What’s your opinion on this matter?
    Thanks,
    Cam

  • Seth

    Hi, first of thank you for this site. My grandfather was Norwegian and since he died I have been trying to keep up his traditions and deeper explore my Scandinavian roots. I have been trying to get the Norse proverb, “Two heads, cut off and thrown into a tree, have nothing but the wind with which to scheme.” translated to old Norse. I had a little help via some people on r/Norse but I wanted to get a second opinion. So far this is what I have. “Væri hǫfðum tveim (afskornum) kastat/varpat hátt upp í tré gæti þau at eins bruggat launráð með vindinum.” Any help would be greatly appreciated.

  • Thomas

    First off I want to thank you for making this amazingly helpful website it is so much more useful than most of the sites I’ve found. Secondly I was hoping that you could point me in the right direction to find a good source for accurate viking protection symbols and their meanings.

    • Viking Rune

      Hello Thomas. We know that Vikings did use certain symbols that recur in the Viking Age art (like Valknut). However, our knowledge as for their exact meaning is extremely limited since we have no contemporary sources to explain them. Modern speculations are just speculations.

  • Martin

    Hi could you please make a sense of this sentence – ” I came to this world covered in someones blood, and have no problem leaving it same way ” – or should I just leave it like it is, using Elder Futhark runes in exact translation??
    please help asap as this is going to be inked any day now.

    Best regards

  • DOUG

    Oops never showed up!
    I want to tattoo (ARNESON) Shoulder to shoulder translates to what ?thanks!

  • DOUG

    This I’d like across my back! So pls get it right. Lol. Am 6’6″ and close to 300 lb
    So it’s gonna be bad if its wrong!
    And this site is AWSOME ! As it posted above on this site “I AGREE”

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