Perhaps the Viking king was bragging a little or at
least acting fast.
Christianity was already entering Denmark from the south.
But it was probably a very wise manoeuvre to make this statement known to
all to try to avoid threats and attacks from southern neighbours.
The large rune stone has three sides - one
depicting the crucified Christ - another showing an animal with a snake
coiling around it, and one showing the runic inscription.
Page two in the Danish passport shows the figure
of the crucified Christ from the large Jelling
rune stone in a red print. This image of Christ is the oldest example from Scandinavia -
it seems to picture the victorious
Christ - not the suffering Christ known from later images - probably also
necessary in order to persuade the Vikings. The old Nordic religion,
Asatro - belief in the ases, didn't disappear right away - but was still
practised on occasion. Even today between 500-1000 Danes believe in the
old Norse religion and worship its gods. So Thor and Odin is still
present in modern Denmark. |