Here is a depiction of a character from the new God of War bearing tattoos of runes and other symbols. Would quotes from Norse Sagas, for example, have been tattooed on people at this time in history as people might have quotes from philosophers today?
Are there academic studies done on this topic?
The only known historical source claiing that the Vikings were tattooed is the Ibn Fadlan's Risala (journal)
Aḥmad ibn Faḍlān ibn al-ʿAbbās ibn Rāšid ibn Ḥammād was an Arabic explorer who gave us a first hand account of the people whom he called the Rus, but who were likely Volga Vikings (often called Varangians, but this is not yet historically apropriate term for these people, at the time Risala was written).
Ahmad Ibn Fadlan describes the Rus/Vikings as:
"tattooed from "fingernails to neck" with dark blue or dark green "tree patterns" and other "figures"".
Now, we have no reason to believe that his tale is significantly embelished, especially in such a minor and odd detail.
His description also fits with what we know about Viking aesthetics and possible technology.
Up to that point, the only confirmed tattoo method known in that part of Eurasia was rubbing ash-based paint into a puncture in the skin, essentially tattoing with ash. This produced green-blueish, faded tattoos.
A FAR older example, but showcasing the colour and technical possibilities can be seen here: https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2011/04/mysterious-tattoos-of-princess-of-altai.html
As for the artwork, the Vikings had multiple different "styles" of art that could contribute to the tattoos, including Oseberg Style, Borre Style, Jellinge Style, Mammen Style, Ringerike Style, Urnes Style, and various regional variations. Your guess is as good as mine which one could be used for Rus Viking tattoos, but assuming that the Rus Vikings came East from Sweden (which is a likely possibility) Some predecessor of the Urnes Style seems most likely.
This artstyle indeed could be mistaken for trees and and geometric patterns, to someone not familiar with Scandinavian art.
Of course, we need to remember that by 923 when Fadlan met the Rus, they had more than enough time to soak in cultural influences from the locals, so perhaps it can be argued that they were "Slavicised" at that point. This is however a contentious point for historians and not something easily answered.
Therefore it is not easy to say if the practice of tattooing their bodies was Viking/Germanic, or Slavic, or even Asian, and since Fadlan met both Slavic Bulgars and Vikings for the first time, he could not tell the fine cultural difference, he is not helpful here.
As for the significance: we have no information on that, although we can get some clues from what we know in general about Viking social mores. While Ibn Fadlan describes the Rus as taking their shirt partially off while at work, most sources claim that Vikings were rather prudish about nudity, and (partially for practical reasons) wore long sleeved and all-covering outfits.
This could hint that the tattoos, which would be mostly hidden under the tunic, were of more personal, traditional or intimate nature, and were not for public display, which would not happen anyway.
Another Arab explorer who visited the Rus, Ahmad ibn Rustah, describes them as very attentive to fashion, adorned in fine cloth and jewellery, and (to him) very tidy looking, but he does not mention tattoos.
Which means that either the particular Rus Fadlan met were exceptionally tattooed up, or maybe other Rus groups wore their tattoos on less conspicuous body parts.
Sources:
Gabriel, Judith. “Among the Norse Tribes: The Remarkable Account of Ibn Fadlan”
Graham-Campbell, James (2013). Viking Art,
Duczko, Wladyslaw (2004). Viking Rus
