Final answer:
Pre-Christian Norse religion was polytheistic and animistic, deeply intertwined with daily life and social structures. Even as the Norse converted to Christianity, they retained many elements of their original belief system in their art, architecture, and governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Norse religion, as practiced by pre-Christian Norsemen and Vikings, was polytheistic and included elements of animism. This ancient belief system was intimately bound up in the daily lives of the Norse, from the hunt for prey to the forging of social and political bonds. Norse religion featured deities such as Odin, the god of war, wisdom, and death, and Freyja, a goddess of fertility and love. The sagas and mythological figures of Norse religion persisted even as the Norse converted to Christianity, often blending with Christian symbolism in art and architecture.
In Scandinavia, for example, the Stave churches were Christian churches that frequently incorporated pre-Christian themes and images from Norse mythology into their decoration. This is evident in structures like the Borgund Stave Church in Norway, with dragon heads on its roof reminiscent of Norse art. Similarly, the Jelling Stones in Denmark serve as a visual record of the transition from Norse paganism to Christianity, showcasing the interplay between old beliefs and new ones.
The integration of Norse religion with other aspects of life did not end with conversion to Christianity. Even though the Norse adopted the new faith, they often maintained their cultural identity and traditions. Norse leaders, who became converts, sometimes used their connection with the divine to consolidate power and form centralized states, illustrating how religion was woven into the very fabric of societal structure and governance in the Norse world.