NorsePlay.

We're not exactly sure what specifically's going on in this bear-a-riffic illuminated illustration from the  Spiezer Chronik by Diebold Schilling. The 1484-85 CE manuscript is an early history of Bern, Switzerland, from the founding of the city to events that took place in the mid-15th century. To NorsePlay, this looks like a medieval stylization of a marching army of berserkers in full-on bear form. The flute & drumming bears leading could also make it a ritual procession  or dance . Given that Bern may be named for the bear, emblazoned the bear on its flag & coat of arms, installed a Bärengraben or bear pit as a municipal feature since 1857 CE, that the Swiss Plateau was overrun & settled in ancient times by the Germanic Alemanni & Burgundians staring in the 5th century CE and looking at that in tandem with Tacitus' earlier accounts of tribal elite warrior s in Germania , and the bears in the 6th–8th century CE Torslunda plates,...

Female Berserker Tyri by Bob Kehl. Note the bound muzzle and tied around forelegs which mirror the bound bear motif on Viking hogback grave markers and one of the Torslunda helmet plates. Perhaps this garment design's simple leather strap answer to wrapping the pelt on the wearer may have something to do with the original motif, along with the ancient bear cult identifying with and physically harnessing the power of the bear. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the Map of Midgard project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to of...

A hammer -wielding bear named Icerlot from LEGO 's Legends of Chima evokes a northern Berserker image . We think his ice-leg is an interesting detail. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

The idea of the Berserker Norseplays its way into the Transformers universe. In 1987 Hasbro exports Battle Beasts as BeastFormers, including this axe-wielding armored Grizzly Bear. The temperature sensitive sticker on the breastplate revealed a hidden fire, wood, or water icon used in a rock, paper, scissors type game for the 2" figures. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Given the reconstructionism within Heathenry and our unending fascination with the Berserker and its association with the fury of bears, we believe there's room enough to revive the idea of the Bear Cult . Why not a combined männerbund & mutterrecht of initiates in bearcoats? Weather permitting, we'd wear our fearsome bear head everywhere. Let's do this! #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

What wins us here is the bear drinking with Odin.  I mean, just look at him pawing that tankard of ale! So to NorsePlay: Presumably this is in Valhalla, which the nearest specific Norse Lore match could make this Böðvar Bjarki (Warlike Little-Bear) of Hrólfs saga kraka  ( Saga of King Hrolf Kraki ). On Midgard,  Böðvar needed to trance out to send forth his bear-form to fight on the battlefield, but given the metaphysical afterlife arena depicted here perhaps that physical/spiritual division process becomes unnecessary, so the  Böðvar- bear gets to feast just as much as fight. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and s...

Berserker bearskin headdress made by The Crafty Crawford. Complete with all paws & claws, with the upper jaw taxidermied in, claimed by Idaho harvests where the meat is eaten and the pelt sold only to cover costs with a Native American art license. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

With their chainmail shirts, berserker-esque marshal penchant, and Icelandic-styled names like Ragnar Sturlusson here, the panserbjørne polar bears of The Golden Compass are definitely NorsePlay. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Brunin from Alane Adams ' Legends of Orkney YA NorsePlay series bears a strong resemblance to a well-known Norse God ... . Any of you read this series? If so, comment below! [Covers by Johnathan Stroh.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .