The Norseman has been the face of the Vikings franchise since the team’s inception in 1961, long exhibiting the history and tradition of the Vikings. The team's longtime logo has been enhanced "to give it a more natural and defined look."
2013 - Present
Again in 2013, the Vikings changed their primary logo to show the profile of a Viking with long gold, braided hair, a large mustache, and bushy eyebrows wearing a gold and purple helmet with two white horns, one on either side of the helmet.
The Vikings have used this logo in varying color schemes since their inaugural season. This version here was first used in 2013 and came with several modifications most notably to the horns as well as the overall shape of the logo, especially in the lower left by the hair.
2010 - 2012
In 2010, the Minnesota Vikings primary logo shows the profile of a Viking with long gold, braided hair, a large mustache, and bushy eyebrows wearing a gold and purple helmet with two white horns, one on either side of the helmet.
The Vikings have used this logo in varying color schemes since their inaugural season, this version here was in use from 2010 to 2012, the shade of purple was lightened for the 2010 season. In 2013 the logo got a bit of a makeover with updates to the horns among other elements.
2002 - 2009
In 2002, the Minnesota Vikings primary logo shows the profile of a Viking with long gold, braided hair, a large mustache, and bushy eyebrows wearing a gold and purple helmet with two white horns, one on either side of the helmet.
The Vikings have used this logo in varying color schemes since their inaugural season, this version here was in use from 2002 to 2009, the shade of purple and the skin tone was both darkened slightly for the 2002 season.
1997 - 2001
The Minnesota Vikings primary logo shows the profile of a Viking with long gold, braided hair, a large mustache, and bushy eyebrows wearing a gold and purple helmet with two white horns, one on either side of the helmet.
The Vikings have used this logo in varying color schemes since their inaugural season, this version here was in use from 1997 to 2001, the shade of purple was lightened and the gold darkened for the 1997 season.
1966 - 1996
Known as The Norseman, the Minnesota Vikings primary logo shows the profile of a Viking with long gold, braided hair, a large mustache, and bushy eyebrows wearing a gold and purple helmet with two white horns, one on either side of the helmet.
1961 - 1965
Karl Hubenthal who was a sports cartoonist for the Los Angeles Times, did the original drawing of the Viking logo in 1961 for Bert Rose, then the General Manager of the Minnesota Vikings, who had contacted him. The logo itself depicts the fierce warrior from Scandinavia, what is now Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The people of the era and who lived there referred to the warriors as Norsemen, or Northmen.