The Vikings were a polytheistic people, meaning they believed in and worshiped multiple gods and goddesses. Some of the most prominent deities in their pantheon included Odin, Thor, Freyja, and Loki. While we know quite a bit about Viking mythology thanks to surviving texts like the Eddas and sagas, much of what we understand about Viking religious beliefs comes from archaeological evidence.
Viking religious rituals revolved around sacrifice, both animal and human. These sacrifices were often made at altars or special shrines dedicated to the gods, and it is thought that they served as a way to appease the deities or ask for their favor. Many of the animals sacrificed by the Vikings were traditional Norse livestock like cattle, sheep, and pigs, but they also sacrificed horses and ravens on occasion. Human sacrifice was much less common, but there are records of it being practiced in times of great need or crisis.
While Christianity eventually became the dominant religion in Scandinavia, many elements of Viking paganism were incorporated into the new faith. This can be seen in the popularity of saints like Thorlakur (Þórlákr) and Olaf (Óláfr), who were said to have performed miracles using their hammers just as Thor did. Today, there are still people who practice Nordic paganism, and there has been a recent resurgence of interest in Viking culture and history.