The Legacy Ship: The outline of the stylized Viking ship on Medtronic Plaza at U.S. Bank Stadium is the size of an actual ship that would have sailed the oceans. The dragon figurehead is traditional, as well.
The Gjallarhorn: From Old Norse for "yelling horn," the mythical horn is associated with the god Heimdallr and announced the arrival of the gods. In the stadium, it signals the team's entrance on the field (as well as big plays).
The stadium: The dramatically sloped roof was inspired by Nordic roofs, which are steeply canted to shed snow. The sharp angles evoke the jagged geometry of ice floes colliding on frigid lakes.
The waymarkers: The tall angular metal pillars stationed at various gates are reminiscent of the towering runestones often placed at crossroads to aid ancient Nordics in their travels.
The horned helmets: The horns painted on helmets and on the Vikings logo aren't based in fact. Real helmets were smooth, to better deflect a marauder's sword blade. The look has been traced to a Wagnerian opera costume.
The shields: Viking shields throughout the stadium are by Minnesota's Traumen Glasberg Designs. They're modeled on historical battle shields and are part of the public art collection.
Source: Minnesota Vikings
