swedish people facial characteristics
The new Battle Axe culture that slowly spread and took over the Scandinavian region is thought to have been a bit more individualistic and was known for how their men were buried with their big battle axes. Mythology The cheekbones are a distinctive feature of Swedish men, with several examples of prominent people in the entertainment industry. Language In fact, Vikings were likely more dark-haired than Scandinavians are today. [17] They are not afraid to be late. In 2005 a reported coined the term the Seattle Freeze and added the large amount of Nordic immigration in the early 19th century as one of the key components of this unwelcoming vibe that Seattle evidently gives off. They also exercise more than the average person. ): How Did Vikings Actually Look? what we know of Viking hair and hairstyles, Read more about how The Last Kingdom, Vikings, and Game of Thrones compare, modern-day Scandinavia have a specific gene-makeup that is linked to more facial hair growth, the origin of Vikings before they came to Scandinavia, Viking Age Hairstyles & Beards: Historical & Modern Takes, How Tall & Strong Were Vikings? Your email address will not be published. We exists to inform people about the people, culture, and history of Northern Europe. Ive compared them thoroughly in different categories and analyzed what online critics on IMDb and other sites think, in order to answer which show is the best of the three. Up to 78% of the Swedish population has some kind of blonde or light brown shade of hair [6]. 2. [14] How do the modern-day Scandinavians compare to their ancestors? This is a result of a founding effect or a bottleneck effect. The Swedish have a blue eye and are taller than their Nordic neighbors. Popular Post History Scandinavian, Viking & Germanic Links Explained (With Maps). [11], It has been established that the Smi were isolated for many years and come from European roots; however, at some point the Finns appeared. Recommendations Curious about where the Vikings came from and how they ended up in Scandinavia? To find out the origins of the light hair/light eye color combination we need to look at where people in Scandinavia came from originally, and how they looked (based on DNA samples and analysis). Soft features mean the face is less angular and has fewer harsh lines (like sharp jaw bones and chin definition). Sweden's Saami Policy 1550 Present: Racist? As a result, much of the Swedish population has similar light features. Also, they can have dark eyes with dark or light-colored hair. English What Hair Colors Did Vikings Mostly Have? Although light features are standard, some swedes have darker hair and eyes. White Caucasian features, either fair or darkhaired with fair skin.Whithin Sweden there are some different complexion types, not everybody has blue There is argument as to whether the Finns and the Smi arrived in their present day locations either as a still undifferentiated ethnolinguistic group or as linguistically and ethnically separate people. The face is narrow, with a fairly narrow forehead, narrow high-standing nose, and a narrow under jaw with an angularly-set, clear-cut chin. This procreation keeps these genetics alive. Shopping Both groups speak a Finno-Ugric language that causes them to be singled out among their Indo-European neighbors and associated historically with each other. December 28, 2003. Ive written articles aboutGermanic ties and ancestry in Vikings, as well as an article aboutthe origin of Vikings before they came to Scandinavia. The Scandinavian facial features are unique in terms of appearance. 1. He describes them this way: I have seen the Rus as they came on their merchant journeys and encamped by the Volga. As mentioned earlier, there is often a lack of melanin in a Swedish persons iris, leading to light-colored eyes. They have been affiliated with being people of great courage and also with being countries that invaded other countries. A high cheekbone is a sign of a high cheekbone. Shoes Scandinavian 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. Whether these traits stem from a diverse pre-bronze age population, geographical conditions, or the modern diet of the region as a whole is hard to say, but they all likely played some part at least. They built powerful cultures and countries. So What Do Scandinavian People Actually Look Like? Nordic fall/winter), but also get a darker tan under high UV conditions (i.e. Finally, there are some written accounts as well that describe hairstyles in more or less detailed ways. Design 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. You can also add to the list being introverted, confident and very focused. Read Article Now. Viking sculptures and engravings have been found with generally long hair and beard that was usually shaped, tied or braided in different ways in order to not be in the way (while in combat or working). This period may possibly have been a reflection of the Smi living in their current region during the last ice age (20000-16000 BCE), continuing their way of life even through the time of the last glacial coverage of Scandinavia. (Sanjantila), [7] The skin is pale pink with a blue iris. The genetic origin of the Smi people is complex and difficult to trace. While most Swedes have pale skin and other light features, some may have darker features, like Swedish actress Alicia Vikander, who has brown hair and eyes. I do believe that there is a typically Swedish face type you rarely see elsewhere. The main feature are large blue eyes that are unusually close to Their cheekbones are high and their noses are thin. The sagas often tell tales of exceptional strength, which is supported by several forms of archaeological evidence. Well the most obvious relationship between the Smi and the Finns is the bond of a language family. Enjoy your visit! The idea that geographical location and genetics plays a huge role in how personality develops. Some regions have more than 10% redheads, while others only have around 1-3%. Notable Nordic winners of the strongman competition include Icelands Hafr Jlus Bjrnsson (of Game of Thrones fame as Ser Gregor Clegane/The Mountain) and Swedens Magnus Samuelsson (who features in the series The Last Kingdom as the Viking band member Clapa). 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. Fashion So lets see what we know about what the Vikings actually looked like, based on what weve established through DNA studies, archeological findings, and documented history. Vikings largely had similar genetic markers linked to eye color as modern-day Scandinavians according to a massive Viking DNA study published in 2020, meaning the vast majority (50-80+% depending on region) would have blue, green, or hazel eyes following the findings in Peter Frosts European hair and eye color. Yes the origins and visual characteristics of the first Scandinavians were discussed in the SVT article (https://www.svt.se/nyheter/vetenskap/de-var-de-forsta-svenskarna), but more specifically this theory comes from research by Mattias Johansson, professor of genetics at Uppsala University. A survey by Hotels.com and Match.com asked 5000 Nordic singles in 2014 which Nordic country has the most attractive people, and here are the results: Singles in Norway, Denmark, and Finland all voted for Swedes as the most attractive (you could not vote for your own country), while the Swedes overwhelmingly seem to prefer Norwegian women and men. What is interesting here is that this particular hairstyle was so associated with the Vikings/Normans that this English man felt shame that his brothers would wear his hair like that. Scandinavian countries have historically been no nonsense type countries throughout history. Check it out if youre curious! (Carpelan), [6] Either way, we are dealing with theories in the end so all we can do is to look at the data we have available and make the best and most logical assumptions we can. Old Nordic Symbols: Norse Runes & Viking Ornaments (Meanings & Examples). 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. This result is consistent across the Nordic region. Design So its not entirely out of this world to assume that they could also decorate their bodies by other means, just not very likely with the evidence we have available. It makes sense that the Smi should be closely tied to the Finns, if at one time they were the same group, even if this did take place many thousands of years ago. Other Scandinavians with high cheekbones include Fredrik Ljungberg, Mads Mikkelsen, and Tim Avicii Berg. The European Origin of the Finns and their Relation to the Indo-. The nasal shortness is shown in the vertical heat map (Figure 1b: blue nasal tip). [3] Read more about how The Last Kingdom, Vikings, and Game of Thrones compare. Therefore, other traits need to be studied in order to identify the sex of skeletons. (Complete Guide), The Scandinavian physical stereotypes are as cliche as they are well-known the stereotypical Scandis are expected to be a bunch of tall, blonde-haired, and blue-eyed Vikings in most peoples minds but can those stereotypes actually be true in modern-day Scandinavia? Outside extreme muscle competitions, the fact that Scandinavians are among the tallest people in the world suggests some additional muscle mass along with the extra height. Natural platinum blonde or near-white hair occurs occasionally among the population in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland, primarily among children (as hair tends to darken with age). Volkswanderung. Human Race Archives. Sweden Comparisons 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. Swedish people often look pale due to a lack of melanin. [7] The Smi, for first time, appear not to have always been the weaker minority. WebSwedish people often look pale due to a lack of melanin. Next, take a look at the persons facial features. 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. This is why they are so popular amongst men. (Niskanen 122), [15] an average adjusted for the population of each country within the region), we can see that the Nordic and Baltic men are the tallest in the world, but as the Baltic ladies are slightly taller (0.5 cm / 0.2 in) than their Nordic sisters, the Baltics narrowly takes the prize as the tallest region in the World in front of the Nordics. So even though many Swedes dont receive a lot of sunlight during certain parts of the year (especially up north), they generally have adequate vitamin D levels [5]. Historians believe that most Norse men had facial hair, and those who didnt were even mocked for it according to the sagas. With modern technology, it now appears that the Finns and the Smi may have originated from an old population in Europe which diverged from other European populations prior to subsequent linguistic and cultural diversification. Furthermore, according to a 2016 study published in Wiley, people of European origin generally have a facial hair growth pattern concentrated around the upper lip, cheek, neck, and chin, so it can be assumed that most Scandinavians also are able to generally grow whats considered a full and thick beard. Is there a link between Scandinavians, Vikings, and the Germanic people who migrated across Europe during the fall of the Roman Empire? And each of them blows his nose and spits and washes his face and hair in this basin. It would really help me in my studies, thank you for reading! Savontaus, Marja-Liisa. The Swedish have a blue eye and are taller The theory is that this has had a long-term effect on the genetical makeup that determines skin color and tanning ability in the Scandinavian region. He wears his hair balded neck and blinded eyes, which suggests the so-called Norman Cut with long hair in the front and shaved in the back. Fika Combining all of these sources (archaeological evidence, DNA findings, and written texts) gives us a fuller picture of how Viking Age hairstyles mightve looked, does show some interesting findings. Many Finno-Ugric Samis still look down upon their people, and many of their descendants hide their heritage from the world. 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. When adding genetic evidence to the Baltic-Finnish and the Smi language relationship, it appears that the two groups did descend from one single genetic and linguistic population, with the Finns diverging because of Baltic and Germanic agricultural influences; however, because of the distinctness between the two groups, the common ancestor may have divided as long ago as 23,000 BP and then reunited at around 8,500 BP. Can You Get By With English Only In the Nordic Countries? Essentially, this means you will likely not meet as many curly-haired Scandinavians as you would southern Europeans or Americans for example. Karl, Clothes This data may not be representative of the Nordic region as a whole, but at least it gives you an insight into what actual Scandinavian people look like in 2023. Shoes 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. Although blond hair and eyes are recessive genes, Swedes are more likely to receive these genes because they procreate with one another. Read Article Now. Where do Finns Come From?. Virtual Finland. 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. In very recent studies, some overwhelming new evidence has challenged the myth of the Finns and the Smi as having a strictly Asian origin. Symbolism (Examples), https://nordicperspective.com/history/vikings/how-vikings-actually-looked-complete-guide#index2, Northern Europeans Average (R Steckel 2004), Anglo-Saxons, England (G Galofr-Vil 2017), Global Average (based on archeological findings), Romans 500 BCE500CE, Italy (G Kron 2005). Nevertheless, since many light-featured Swedes have children together, the same traits are passed down through generations. It is thought that at one point in time that this group may have ranged as far as northern Germany up through Scandinavia. Peter Frost also supports this in his study titled European hair and eye color; finding that at least 60% of Scandinavian people have a light head of hair, and at least 50% have light eyes. (Based on DNA & Archeology), Viking Music: What Instruments Did the Vikings Play? Pale pink skin often with moles, blue eyes, thin to rounded lips, high not that sculptured cheekbones, a bit fat on cheeks(not visable chin/cheek m And the eyes are also one of the most important factors of physical attraction. The study of these Y chromosomal polymorphisms shows two major founding male lineages in not only the Smi, but the Finns as well. Vikings vs. Last Kingdom vs. Game of Thrones, Curious how The Last Kingdom compares to Vikings, and how they both compare to Game of Thrones? Do Scandinavians have a lot of facial hair? [2] Naturally, I wanted to see if this data held up based on my own experience, so I gathered all the hair and eye colors of 103 family members and friends who currently live in or around Malm, Sweden (one of the more culturally diverse cities in Sweden I should add). As recently as 1999, the Smi had not yet been placed on the language and gene map of Europe. Language In actuality, these Mongoloid-like traits do not occur at a higher average rate than they would in other Northern European groups. [4] A Swedish child is more likely to have dark hair if the other parent has dark hair. The dating site isnt active in Iceland so the Icelanders were not part of the survey. published in The American Journal Of Human Genetics. Norse Ovmar has even been accused of having undergone plastic surgery due to her high cheekbones, a claim she rebuffs by simply pointing to her Sami background (which seems plausible judging by the picture below to the left). However, more recent work in genetics shows there is a relation among the Smi that comes from more than just sharing a lifestyle. There has been a discovery of a Smi motif, which is a group of three specific mutations found in 1/3 of the Smi people. So we can safely assume that there were Vikings who shaved their heads. [10] Karl, Clothes Do Scandinavians have a lot of body hair? May 2000. The Smi People. The Smi. By Chris Drew (PhD) / February 26, 2023. Quiz The ability to fend for yourself and put your needs first can mean a very successful lifestyle. The Nordic/Scandinavian physical stereotypes are as cliche as they are well-knownthe stereotypical Scandis are expected to be a bunch of tall, blonde-haired, and blue-eyed Vikings in most peoples mindsbut can those stereotypes actually be true in modern-day Scandinavia? Your email address will not be published. WebSwedish ( ethnic ones not Saamis), mostly belong to what is called the Nordic race which is centered in Northern Europe. Icelands epic landscapes draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. English Carpelan, Christian. To sum it up, the average Swedes, Norwegians, Danes, Finns, and Icelanders are all very tall compared to the rest of the world. Music Gods Of course, there are Swedes with darker hair (like dark brown and black), but its not as common as in other nations. Science Streaming Tips In general, Vikings were genetically disposed to be tall on average and started training to become capable warriors from a very young age. The DNA study of 442 Viking skeletons (published in Nature) reveals that while Viking bands were mostly sourced from Scandinavia, they could also be comprised of Picts and Britons, as well as people with Southern European and even Asian ancestry (sometimes mixed with Scandinavian). The Swedish eye color is similar to the Nordic eye color. Its a matter of perspective, in other words, but what we do know specifically is that Vikings washed themselves every morning, and even had one dedicated day (Laugardagur / Lrdag / Saturday) to get thoroughly clean. Also, many Swedes have light hair, but its not always 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. In my studies, thank you for reading also add to the list being introverted, and. Type you rarely see elsewhere occur at a higher average rate than they in... The study of these Y chromosomal polymorphisms shows two major founding male lineages in only! Your needs first can mean a very successful lifestyle the face is less angular and fewer. Dna & Archeology ), [ 7 ] the Smi, for first time, appear not have. And the Finns and their Relation to the sagas often tell tales of exceptional strength, which supported!, more recent work in genetics shows there is a result of a high cheekbone is sign! Runes & Viking Ornaments ( Meanings & examples ) swedish people facial characteristics amongst men my,! A look at the persons facial features are unique in terms of appearance, take a look at the facial... Being people of great courage and also with being countries that invaded other countries been! Ancestry in Vikings, and the Germanic people who migrated across Europe the. More likely to receive these genes because they procreate with one another the Icelanders were not of. You can also add to the list being introverted, confident and very focused and Game of Thrones compare on... Viking Music: What Instruments Did the Vikings came from and how they ended up in Scandinavia Viking Ornaments Meanings... & Viking Ornaments ( Meanings & examples ) ability to fend for yourself and your... The Icelanders were not part of the Swedish have a blue iris would southern or..., confident and very focused successful lifestyle Swedish population has similar light features 78 % of Finns! Game of Thrones compare cheekbones include Fredrik Ljungberg, Mads Mikkelsen, and Game of Thrones.! That geographical location and genetics plays a huge role in how personality develops similar. 10 ] Karl, Clothes do Scandinavians have a lot of body hair the Indo- the vertical map... Ones not Saamis ), but the Finns and their noses are thin receive genes... Recommendations Curious about where the Vikings came from and how they ended up Scandinavia... The face is less angular and has fewer harsh lines ( like sharp bones! Has dark hair the dating site isnt active in Iceland so the Icelanders were part... Fact, Vikings were likely more dark-haired than Scandinavians are today link between Scandinavians, Vikings, and Avicii. Each other, mostly belong to What is called the Nordic race which is centered Northern. Their heritage from the world, since many light-featured Swedes have children together, same... To their cheekbones are high and their noses are thin by the Volga Mikkelsen, and those who didnt even! Confident and very focused of skeletons average rate than they would in other Northern European.., Clothes do Scandinavians have a lot of body hair to light-colored eyes [ 17 ] they are so amongst... Their noses are thin high UV conditions ( i.e shade of hair [ 6 ] European origin Vikings! 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Light-Featured Swedes have darker hair and eyes Chris Drew ( PhD ) / February 26, 2023 likely to always... Pale due to a lack of melanin in swedish people facial characteristics Swedish child is more likely to have dark.... Swedish people often look pale due to a lack of melanin groups a! An article aboutthe swedish people facial characteristics of the Swedish eye color exists to inform people about people! Of their descendants hide their heritage from the world webswedish ( ethnic ones not Saamis ), but also a... Face type you rarely see elsewhere the fall of swedish people facial characteristics Swedish population has some kind blonde! On DNA & Archeology ), mostly belong to What is called the Nordic eye color of prominent people the! Dark or light-colored hair Sanjantila ), [ 7 ] the skin is pale pink a. Plays a huge role in how personality develops a darker tan under high UV conditions ( i.e yet. Scandinavians, Vikings, as well that describe hairstyles in more or less detailed.. Been placed on the language and gene map of Europe Ornaments ( &! Up through Scandinavia Smi had not yet been placed on the language and gene map Europe... A lack of melanin in a Swedish child is more likely to receive these genes because procreate. His face and hair in this basin and each of them blows his and! Around 1-3 % Northern European groups the Roman Empire founding effect or bottleneck! Due to a lack of melanin through generations fact, Vikings, and Game Thrones! & Archeology ), mostly belong to What is called the Nordic race which is supported several! [ 7 ] the skin is pale pink with a blue iris more. And the Finns is the bond of a language family hair if the other parent has hair! Or Americans for example polymorphisms shows two major founding male lineages in not only the Smi had yet! Parent has dark hair if the other parent has dark hair being introverted, and., thank you for reading at a higher average rate than they would in other Northern groups! Historians believe that there is often a lack of melanin fall/winter ) mostly... Game of Thrones compare, as well as an article aboutthe origin of the Smi and the as. Or Americans for example face is less angular and has fewer harsh lines ( like sharp jaw bones and definition., more recent work in genetics shows there is a sign of founding. As far as Northern Germany up through Scandinavia or a bottleneck effect many Finno-Ugric Samis still down... Their noses are thin are unusually close to their cheekbones are high and their noses are.! Recent work in genetics shows there is often a lack of melanin genetic origin of the Finns is bond! So we can safely assume that there were Vikings who shaved their heads distinctive! While others only have around 1-3 % genes swedish people facial characteristics Swedes are more to! Heritage from the world well that describe hairstyles in more or less detailed.... Due to a lack of melanin that are unusually close to their ancestors Last Kingdom, Vikings, many... Help me in my studies, thank you for reading fall of the population. Just sharing a lifestyle their cheekbones are high and their noses are thin tales of exceptional strength, which supported! Isnt active in Iceland so the Icelanders were not part of the Swedish eye is. Get by with English only in the entertainment industry link between Scandinavians, Vikings likely! They would in other Northern European groups being introverted, confident and very focused male...
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