Calf Tattoo Design
Hugin & Munin — A one-of-a-kind Viking Age reinterpretation
Collaborative design by Connor Benson & Jonas Lau Markussen
Matthew returned to us with a clear request. He wanted a calf tattoo based on an earlier Huginn and Muninn design, but reworked as a one-of-a-kind piece in a Viking Age animal ornamentation style.
The goal was not to reinvent the motif, but to translate it into a distinctly Viking Age visual language, deepening the composition while making the symbolism feel personal, intentional, and unique to him.
This project focused on continuity, respect for the original artwork, and careful evolution through ornamental reinterpretation rather than radical change.
Reference and Foundation
The starting point was an existing illustration by Lukyan, which established the core composition of Huginn and Muninn. This served as the visual reference rather than a template to copy.
Ornamental Reinterpretation
Jonas Lau Markussen reinterpreted the ravens in a distinctly Viking Age visual language, grounding the birds in ornamental structure and rhythm rather than illustrative realism.
The sketching phase focused on balance, symmetry, and how the ravens interact with the surrounding space.
Compositional Development
Connor Benson then finalised the design. He introduced the circular, stippled sun form as a grounding element behind the ravens, replacing an earlier idea of a bindrune pattern that felt visually too heavy.
A bindrune was placed at the top of the composition, with Odin’s spear subtly integrated into the background to anchor the mythological narrative.
Concept
The composition is built from a small number of clearly defined elements, the ravens, the tree, the spear, the circle, and the bindrune, arranged to work together as a unified symbolic whole.
At the centre of the composition are Huginn and Muninn, perched within the branches of Yggdrasil. Together they represent thought and memory, wisdom gathered from the world and carried back to the self.
Odin’s spear references Odin and his sacrifice on the tree in pursuit of knowledge. It acts as a quiet structural element rather than a focal point, reinforcing the theme without dominating the image.
The circular sun form behind the ravens brings cohesion and calm to the composition. It frames the figures, adds depth through stippling, and gives the design a sense of completeness suited to the calf placement.
The bindrune at the top of the composition functions as a visual anchor. Its form is based on Ansuz reflected onto itself, a rune associated with the Æsir and often linked to Odin, with a half circle added at the bottom as a subtle counterweight that balances and completes the overall structure.
Final Design
The completed design placed on the calf, where the vertical composition and circular elements come into balance.
This piece is a good example of how we approach returning motifs.
The aim is not repetition, but refinement.
By respecting the original artwork while allowing room for collaboration and evolution, the final design became something both familiar and entirely its own.
Tattoo Design: Jonas Lau Markussen & Connor Benson
Reference Illustration: Lukyan
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