Hudprikken

Hudprikken is a fictional term used in Nordic-inspired folklore and contemporary fantasy literature to denote a ritual skin mark created by pricking the skin during initiation or as a sign of belonging or oath. The term combines the Norwegian words hud, meaning skin, and prikken, meaning the dot or prick.

In traditional and modern depictions, hudprikken is usually a small design, often circular or geometric, placed on visible areas such as the wrist, forearm, or neck. The mark may be made with a ceremonial needle, a stylus, or with plant-based dyes and pigments. In many narratives, the act of pricking is described as binding the participant to a group, protectively sealing a vow, or marking passage from one life stage to another. Depending on the story, the mark can be permanent or fade over time, sometimes requiring renewal through periodic rites.

Cultural role: Hudprikken appears in legends about guilds, secret orders, and rite-of-passage practices. It is typically treated with reverence and secrecy, and is sometimes guarded by taboos or specific codes of conduct. In contemporary fantasy fiction, hudprikken is often used as a visual shorthand for loyalty, risk, or personal transformation, and may be explored through character arcs about identity and belonging.

See also: body modification, ritual scarification, initiation rites.