LAUGARDAGR – THE OLD NORSE NAME FOR SATURDAY MEANING BATHING AND WASHING DAY
In Old Norse Saturday was known as Laugardagr (bathing day). Many of the thermal baths mentioned in the Icelandic Sagas still exist today in Iceland and are open for visitors. Indeed, if you visit Iceland you should always travel with a swimsuit and towel in your vehicle. Do not leave them at your hotel. Also, note that many spas require taking a shower beforehand and Icelanders, like their Viking ancestors, have a reputation for cleanliness.
“Water, too, that he may wash before eating,
Handcloth's and a hearty welcome,
Courteous words, then courteous silence
That he may tell his tale.”
“Washed and fed,
one may fare to the Thing:
Though one's clothes be the worse for Wear,
None need be ashamed of his shoes or hose,
Nor of the horse he owns,
Although no thoroughbred.”
- The Havamal
“Combed and washed every thoughtful man should be
and fed in the morning;
for one cannot foresee where one will be by evening;
it is bad to rush headlong before one's fate.”
- Reginsmál
John of Wallingford, an English Abbot, writing in the 12th century recorded that Danish Viking invaders were attractive to the English women because they took weekly baths, washed their clothes, and combed their hair daily. At the time, Christian Anglo Saxons were known to only bathe a few times a year.
The photos are by Hrolfr from Iceland. One shows the Laugar Spa in Reykjadalur. Laugar plays a role in the Laxdæla Saga. In the Saga, Kjartan was courting Guðrún, and he made sure to go to the thermal bath at times when he knew she would be there. There is also the famous Grettislaug – where Grettir the Outlaw warmed himself after he swam from Drangey across Skagafjörður as described in Grettis Saga. Another photo shows an Icelandic guide to showering before going into a Thermal pool. These signs have led to many Icelandic comedy skits about shower police. Finally, there are photos of Snorri’s hot springs, and thermal pools at various hotels.
[Image from Snorralaug, Thermal bath in Reykholt, Iceland]
In Old Norse Saturday was known as Laugardagr (bathing day). Many of the thermal baths mentioned in the Icelandic Sagas still exist today in Iceland and are open for visitors. Indeed, if you visit Iceland you should always travel with a swimsuit and towel in your vehicle. Do not leave them at your hotel. Also, note that many spas require taking a shower beforehand and Icelanders, like their Viking ancestors, have a reputation for cleanliness.
“Water, too, that he may wash before eating,
Handcloth's and a hearty welcome,
Courteous words, then courteous silence
That he may tell his tale.”
“Washed and fed,
one may fare to the Thing:
Though one's clothes be the worse for Wear,
None need be ashamed of his shoes or hose,
Nor of the horse he owns,
Although no thoroughbred.”
- The Havamal
“Combed and washed every thoughtful man should be
and fed in the morning;
for one cannot foresee where one will be by evening;
it is bad to rush headlong before one's fate.”
- Reginsmál
John of Wallingford, an English Abbot, writing in the 12th century recorded that Danish Viking invaders were attractive to the English women because they took weekly baths, washed their clothes, and combed their hair daily. At the time, Christian Anglo Saxons were known to only bathe a few times a year.
The photos are by Hrolfr from Iceland. One shows the Laugar Spa in Reykjadalur. Laugar plays a role in the Laxdæla Saga. In the Saga, Kjartan was courting Guðrún, and he made sure to go to the thermal bath at times when he knew she would be there. There is also the famous Grettislaug – where Grettir the Outlaw warmed himself after he swam from Drangey across Skagafjörður as described in Grettis Saga. Another photo shows an Icelandic guide to showering before going into a Thermal pool. These signs have led to many Icelandic comedy skits about shower police. Finally, there are photos of Snorri’s hot springs, and thermal pools at various hotels.
[Image from Snorralaug, Thermal bath in Reykholt, Iceland]
LAUGARDAGR – THE OLD NORSE NAME FOR SATURDAY MEANING BATHING AND WASHING DAY
In Old Norse Saturday was known as Laugardagr (bathing day). Many of the thermal baths mentioned in the Icelandic Sagas still exist today in Iceland and are open for visitors. Indeed, if you visit Iceland you should always travel with a swimsuit and towel in your vehicle. Do not leave them at your hotel. Also, note that many spas require taking a shower beforehand and Icelanders, like their Viking ancestors, have a reputation for cleanliness.
“Water, too, that he may wash before eating,
Handcloth's and a hearty welcome,
Courteous words, then courteous silence
That he may tell his tale.”
“Washed and fed,
one may fare to the Thing:
Though one's clothes be the worse for Wear,
None need be ashamed of his shoes or hose,
Nor of the horse he owns,
Although no thoroughbred.”
- The Havamal
“Combed and washed every thoughtful man should be
and fed in the morning;
for one cannot foresee where one will be by evening;
it is bad to rush headlong before one's fate.”
- Reginsmál
John of Wallingford, an English Abbot, writing in the 12th century recorded that Danish Viking invaders were attractive to the English women because they took weekly baths, washed their clothes, and combed their hair daily. At the time, Christian Anglo Saxons were known to only bathe a few times a year.
The photos are by Hrolfr from Iceland. One shows the Laugar Spa in Reykjadalur. Laugar plays a role in the Laxdæla Saga. In the Saga, Kjartan was courting Guðrún, and he made sure to go to the thermal bath at times when he knew she would be there. There is also the famous Grettislaug – where Grettir the Outlaw warmed himself after he swam from Drangey across Skagafjörður as described in Grettis Saga. Another photo shows an Icelandic guide to showering before going into a Thermal pool. These signs have led to many Icelandic comedy skits about shower police. Finally, there are photos of Snorri’s hot springs, and thermal pools at various hotels.
[Image from Snorralaug, Thermal bath in Reykholt, Iceland]
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