The map of Vinland
Here displays an insight to the world of Vinland Saga taking you through its history and world building, depicturing real life cases into its story. Read the manga to see.
The Vikings didn’t use maps in the way we think of them today. Instead of detailed drawings, they relied on experience, oral traditions, and nature itself to navigate. They used the position of the sun, ocean currents, and bird migrations to find their way across the sea (Fitzhugh & Ward, 2000). While some later maps, like the Skálholt Map, outlined lands such as Vinland, most Norse exploration was based on memory and instinct rather than anything written down. This idea plays a huge role in Vinland Saga. The story follows Thorfinn, a young Viking warrior whose life is shaped by exploration, war, and the search for something greater. One of the recurring ideas in the series is Vinland itself—a peaceful, untouched land far from the bloodshed of Europe. The way Vikings navigated the world, without fixed maps but with a strong sense of direction and purpose, mirrors Thorfinn’s own journey. He starts as a warrior seeking revenge but eventually turns toward a dream of something better: a life without war (Yukimura, 2005).
Leif Erikson, a real-life Norse explorer, appears in the story as an old sailor who shares tales of Vinland, inspiring others with the possibility of a new beginning. Just as Vikings had to trust their instincts to find new lands, Thorfinn has to find his own way, not through revenge but by creating a future beyond violence. In both history and Vinland Saga, Vinland isn’t just a place—it’s an idea. It represents hope, freedom, and the courage to go beyond what’s known, whether on the open sea or in life itself.
The Voyage
Over a thousand years ago, Leif Erikson set sail from Greenland, venturing across the rough and unpredictable North Atlantic in a sturdy Viking longship. With no modern maps or compasses, he and his crew relied on the sun, stars, and the movement of birds and waves to guide them. After days at sea, they finally reached a new land—lush, green, and full of wild grapes, which led them to call it Vinland. This place, now believed to be in Newfoundland, Canada, made Leif the first known European to set foot in North America, centuries before Columbus. After exploring for a time, he and his men returned home, their journey becoming legend. Leif Erikson is believed to have been the first European to reach North America, navigating across the North Atlantic using natural cues like the sun and stars (Jones, 2020).
WHAT TAKES PLACE WHERE?
This section highlights the world building of Vinland Saga, showcasing Thorfinn’s journey and how each area has help build character and main story line on where events have taken place.
1. Iceland – The Beginning of It All
This is where the story kicks off, with Thorfinn’s family living a peaceful life. His father, Thors, is a former warrior who abandoned war to live a quiet, honourable life. But the past catches up to him when he’s forced to join a war effort. This leads to one of the most emotional moments in the series—Thors’ death at the hands of Askeladd’s mercenaries. This event becomes the catalyst for Thorfinn’s journey of revenge.
2. The Faroe Islands – A Brief Stop for Blood
After Thors is killed, Thorfinn ends up with Askeladd’s band of mercenaries. They raid the Faroe Islands on their way to England, showcasing the brutal and chaotic nature of Viking warfare. While not a major setting, it marks the start of Thorfinn’s time with Askeladd, where he begins honing his skills as a warrior.
3. England – The Heart of War and Revenge
Most of Vinland Saga’s early story unfolds in England, where the Danes are waging war against the Anglo-Saxons. This is where Thorfinn spends years as Askeladd’s reluctant warrior, challenging him to duels but never managing to win. England also introduces key figures like Prince Canute, who starts as a weak and timid royal but undergoes a massive transformation into a ruthless king.
One of the biggest moments happens here—Askeladd’s shocking decision to kill the Danish king to pave the way for Canute’s rule. This act seals his fate, leading to his dramatic death at the hands of Canute. Thorfinn, having lost his sole purpose in life (revenge), is left broken and directionless.
4. Denmark – A New Chapter Begins
After Askeladd’s death, Thorfinn is taken as a slave and sent to a farm in Denmark. This is where Vinland Saga shifts gears from a revenge story to a tale of redemption. Thorfinn meets Einar, another slave, and the two develop a deep bond as they work to earn their freedom. The farm, owned by Ketil, also becomes a battleground for political schemes, as Canute tightens his grip on power.
This section is where Thorfinn truly changes—he abandons violence, embraces pacifism, and begins to dream of creating a peaceful land free of war (Vinland).
5. Vinland – The Ultimate Destination
While Vinland itself hasn’t been fully explored in the manga yet, it represents Thorfinn’s dream of a peaceful land untouched by war and slavery. The saga’s endgame is all about reaching this place, where he hopes to start anew and leave behind the cycle of violence that defined his past.
Each location in Vinland Saga plays a crucial role in shaping Thorfinn’s journey—from a vengeful warrior to a man seeking peace. The series is more than just Viking battles; it’s a deep exploration of what it means to truly live and find purpose.
References
- Fitzhugh, W. & Ward, E. (2000) Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
- Yukimura, M. (2005) Vinland Saga. Tokyo: Kodansha.