For most people, luck is determined by unpredictability. In Norse culture, however, luck has nothing to do with what one might call coincidence or chance. On the contrary, Norwegians consider luck as a quality inherent in a man and his lineage, part of his personality.
For centuries, gambling has remained an essential part of Scandinavian culture. The region has a rich history of folklore and mythology, and it’s thus not surprising that casinos in Scandinavian countries are surrounded by stories and myths passed down from generation to generation.
With most of these stories still relevant today, some people approach casino gaming with the gods in mind. Norwegian casino operators and game developers are also helping keep gambling folklore alive by offering games inspired by Norwegian folklore. As such, you can always try the best of luck on New Casino Norway.
This article explores Norwegian folklore on gambling to uncover the mythical charms of Nordic luck.
The Story of Troll’s Gold
The tale of the troll’s gold is among the most popular folklore frequently retold in Scandinavian casinos. The legend claims that a band of trolls had stashed away a treasure box of gold in the mountains. According to the myth, the only way to find the treasure trove is by playing a game of chance with the troll.
The story is so popular that game developers in Norway have adopted it into casino games like video poker and slot machines. It’s an illustration of how Scandinavian gambling culture has been impacted by mythology and folklore.
Considering that the story has long been a well-known tale in Scandinavian culture, it’s hardly surprising that the myth of the trolls and their hidden gold treasure has made its way into the gaming industry. Many gamblers are drawn to the thought of discovering undiscovered treasures, and the tale of the troll’s gold adds an extra element of intrigue to many Norwegian casino games.
The Myth of the Lucky Viking
Another popular myth in Norway is the Legend of the Lucky Viking. The legend holds that Vikings were renowned for having success at gambling. This myth has its origins in the Norse mythology of antiquity, where gods like Odin, Loki, and Thor were renowned for their fondness for gambling.
With their love of risk-taking and adventurous nature, Vikings have always been linked to gambling. Vikings were revered in Scandinavian culture not only for their gambling skill but also for their faith in fate and destiny.
They believed that the gods decided everything in life, including their luck at the roulette wheel. This idea clarifies why the lucky Viking legend has always been so popular among Norwegian casino players.
The Curse of the Norns
The Norns were the goddesses of fate in Nordic mythology. They were thought to be able to influence how all living things would turn out. If a casino player wins too much money, for instance, it’s said that the Norns would curse them, and they’ll have poor luck for the remainder of their lives.
The Norwegian belief in the curse of the Norns shows how deeply rooted mythology and folklore are in Scandinavian culture. Even now, some athletes take this legend seriously and steer clear of big wins out of concern about being cursed.
The Norns are revered in Scandinavia as powerful deities who oversee the fate of all living beings, and they significantly impact gambling in Norwegian culture.
Geifon: The Norse Dealer of Destiny
Geifon is yet another Norse gambling goddess. She is associated with agriculture and hard work but is often called upon in games of chance. Geifon rules over wealth, luck, and gambling and is often depicted as a Nordic allegorical mother or a young and determined maiden.
Part of Geifon’s legacy is that she has inspired many poems and paintings, and thus her countless appearances in Scandinavian stories. She is also believed to have created Zealand, a resting place for the souls of all women who die young.
Being the goddess of good fortune, her descendants became Swedish kings. According to folklore, to earn Geifon’s favour at gambling, one must be honest and fair at their play and life.
Lofn: The Gambling Goddess of Love
Lofn is comforting, loving, and dedicated: the ultimate expression of the human need for acceptance, closeness, and gentle healing. History traces back the stories of Lofn to a 13th-century Nordic manuscript where she appears as the goddess who heals unrequited love.
She is believed to have the power to unite couples by supporting them even where societal norms, rival tribes, or other Gods forbid them.
According to folklore, Lofn means praise and permission, and she is often portrayed as being involved with her subjects and defending the oppressed. By bestowing good luck to those who gamble responsibly, Lofn encourages those who want to be themselves to follow their dreams.
Despite being loving and considerate, Lofn is also believed to become angry and bring about bad luck if one fails to take a chance. She warns against discriminating against others or choosing comfort over fulfilling your dream.
Lofn is believed to accept gambling symbols, such as chips, dice, and cards, as offerings. She is also said to ask for songs or signs of alternative love in exchange for good luck. The goddess is often associated with lavender.
To this date, Norwegians still believe in gambling rituals. For instance, some players will often pull an extra chair at their gambling table and adapt their games to include an extra player to welcome Lofn to join the game.
Conclusion
Norwegian Folklore abounds with numerous examples of complex deities believed to meddle in human activities like gambling. These stories show how the human mind envisioned gambling as a dominion of intellectual, fierce, stable, greedy, and pure-hearted figures with elaborate backstories and social roles.
In the modern world, however, we tend to focus more on the reality of life, technology, and pragmatism. However, the lessons contained in gambling folklore remain relevant even today. The common denominator is that they warned people to gamble and play responsibly.