Fact or fiction? The mythology behind LEGO 31132 Viking Ship and the Midgard Serpent

LEGO Vikings is back for this year’s 31132 Viking Ship and the Midgard Serpent – but how well does the Creator 3-in-1 set depict the real history and mythology of the Norse people?

The latest retro theme resurrected within the confines of Creator 3-in-1, LEGO Vikings originally debuted in the mid-2000s, pitting legions of warriors against brick-built mythological creatures, from dragons and wolves to a giant sea serpent. That legendary beast is back in 31132 Viking Ship and the Midgard Serpent, which takes a 2022 approach to 2005’s 7018 Viking Ship challenges the Midgard Serpent.

Things are seemingly a bit less ferocious this time round – ‘and’ implies the boat and beast are just hanging out together, versus the more perilous ‘challenges’ – but how well does 31132 Viking Ship and the Midgard Serpent serve as a gateway to learning about Nordic history? Using a copy of the set provided by Zavvi, where it’s currently on sale for just £89.99 – £15 off its retail price – we’ve pulled apart this 1,192-piece build to sort fact from fiction.

Did Vikings really have horns on their helmets?

Nope: the horned helmets discovered in Denmark actually date to roughly 2,000 years before the Vikings were wandering around, and there’s apparently no evidence the Vikings ever wore them. It’s thought that the association originates with Scandinavian artists around the 1800s, but the helmets one archaeologist has called ‘the most impressive religious power hat of the Bronze Age’ shouldn’t be in 31132 Viking Ship and the Midgard Serpent. Especially when there’s a more accurate one already… 

Fact or fiction? Pure fiction, perpetuated for nearly two centuries, and now by the LEGO Group too.

Was there really a giant sea serpent?

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Yes – in Norse mythology, anyway. Commonly referred to as the Midgard Serpent or World Serpent, but actually called Jörmungandr (you can see why the LEGO Group didn’t go with it), this enormous creature is said to circle the Earth (or Midgard), biting its own tail. The end of this stasis will signal the beginning of Ragnarök, or a great battle that ends in the Earth submerged in water. The LEGO version of the serpent is a bit smaller, but at least it has a basis in legend.

Fact or fiction? Fiction, technically, but we’ll give the LEGO Group this one.

How prominent were female Vikings?

Legends of fierce female Vikings are prominent in Scandinavian history, but there’s very little evidence backing up those stories. Archaeologists behind a 2017 study now believe remains found in Sweden in 1878 – which for 130 years were widely accepted to belong to a high-status male Viking warrior – are actually female, but that interpretation remains contested to this day. Scholars at least mostly agree that women had equal rights within Viking society, and could run a business, own land and initiative divorce proceedings. Whether Valkyries and shieldmaidens actually existed is less clear cut.

Fact or fiction? Up for debate, but representation probably trumps accuracy here anyway. 

Were Vikings really that colourful?

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31132 Viking Ship and the Midgard Serpent is much more colourful than its mid-‘00s predecessor – but is that a consequence of it coming under the kid-friendly Creator 3-in-1 banner, or were Vikings really that colourful? History suggests the LEGO Group has it right on this one, as the Vikings were fond of bright and bold colours, often used as status symbols. Some hues were rarer than others – black was cheap, while red had to be imported – but from their clothes to their houses and longships, the Vikings were anything but dull.

Fact or fiction? Fact: goodbye browns and greys, hello reds, blues, greens and yellows.

Did Vikings paint their shields?

31132 Viking Ship and the Midgard Serpent lines either side of its boat with brick-built shields in various colours – but would the Viking warriors of the 10th century have taken the time to paint their shields before heading into battle, even against world-circling serpents? You bet: just like their clothes and houses, Vikings readily decorated their shields. Red and white was apparently the most common colour scheme, symbolising strength and danger (red) and life and innocence (white). That’s a conflicting mood board if ever there was one.

Fact or fiction? Fact, but you’ll have to build your own red and white shield.

It’s a bit of a mixed bag overall, but swap out those horned helmets for the Collectible Minifigures piece, and you’ve got a surprisingly accurate recreation of Norse life. Or Norse mythology, anyway.

31132 Viking Ship and the Midgard Serpent is available now from Zavvi, where it’s discounted to just £89.99. Consider supporting the work that Brick Fanatics does by getting your history game on using our affiliate links.