skrautmælingar

Skrautmælingar are a Norse-Pagan practice of measuring and recording the physical characteristics of people, specifically women. The term is derived from the Old Norse word "skraut" meaning "adornment" or "beauty" and the Old Norse word "mæling" meaning "measuring".

This practice is thought to date back to the Viking Age and was primarily used to evaluate the beauty and worth of women, often in preparation for marriage. Skrautmælingar may include measurements such as height, weight, and facial features, as well as analysis of personal characteristics like hair color and texture.

The practice of skrautmælingar was closely tied to the social hierarchy of Viking-Age Norse society, with women from higher social classes being judged and evaluated based on their physical beauty. Skrautmælingar was often performed by a designated individual, such as a priest or a healer, who would make observations and take measurements.

Skrautmælingar has been mentioned in two medieval Icelandic texts, the Landnámabók and the Grágás. In these texts, skrautmælingar is described as a practice that was used to determine the suitability of a woman for marriage. The practice is not mentioned in other historical texts, and its significance and context are still under debate among historians and scholars.

The study of skrautmælingar provides valuable insights into the Viking-Age Norse society's views on beauty, marriage, and social hierarchy. However, due to the limited sources of information, it remains a topic of ongoing research and analysis among historians and scholars.