Vikings Primary Logo
The Minnesota Vikings' primary logo has gone through many changes since the team's inception in 1961. The first logo featured a Viking head with horns and a purple face, designed by Norseman Logo Inc. This was used for their inaugural season until 1964 when it was replaced with the "Viking Man" design which had two crossed swords behind him and an oval shape around him. This version of the logo lasted until 2006 when it underwent another transformation to become what we know today as the "Nordic-Style" or modernized version of their original mascot.
This new look features a more realistic-looking Viking warrior wearing a horned helmet facing forward while holding two swords at his sides, all within an oval shape outlined in gold trimming that is meant to represent strength and courage - qualities that are synonymous with this professional football franchise from Minneapolis, Minnesota. It also includes four stars above his head which symbolize each division title they have won over time; North (1968), Central (1969 & 1970) , West (1975 & 1976). And lastly underneath is written “Minnesota Vikings” so there can be no mistaking who this iconic figure represents!
Overall, these logos throughout history have been incredibly important for representing not only one of America’s most beloved sports teams but also its rich culture rooted in Scandinavian heritage - something that will always remain close to the hearts of fans everywhere no matter how much time change or evolve!
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.