The old Norse word "viking" is actually a verb, that means "to go on an expedition by sea". The word for those fierce warriors who went on such cruises was "vikingr" or "vikingar".

In reality, the word "Viking" was specific to men, and would not be applied to a woman. In addition to being fierce raiders, the Vikings were also farmers, traders and settlers. There is significant historic and archaeological evidence that indicates that their women accompanied them on many of these excursions. In particular, the colonization of Iceland, which was uninhabited, could not have been accomplished without bringing their women with them. Women also acted as merchants during the Viking age, and held positions of esteem in the society.

The familiar image of the Viking woman, as represented in this costume, is a romanticized vision of the Warrior Princess. This idea grew more from Norse mythology and stories of the Valkyrie. The Valkyrie were a host of women warriors, sometimes thought to be the daughters of royalty, who chose those who were to die in battle. These heroes were taken by the Valkyrie to Valhalla (the Scandinavian place of the afterlife) where they made up the army of Odin, Father of the Norse gods.

The Valkyrie are often associated with ravens, and sometimes connected to swans.