Kittens for Brides

In Viking tradition, when a warrior and a maiden decided to become one as man and wife, it was common practice for members of the community to give the new bride a kitten or kittens. As said by The Viking Answer Lady “Kittens were sometimes given to new brides as an essential part of setting up a new household. It is especially appropriate that brides should receive cats, since cats were associated with Freyja, the goddess of love. The Vikings believed that Freyja rode a cart drawn by a team of cats.” 

The fabulous Norwegian Forest Cat, or "skogkatt" was most likely the breed of cat that was given to the new bride. The Norwegian Forest Cat is a very common domestic cat in the Nordic countries to this day.  In addition, in Norse mythology it is said that it is Norwegian Forest Cats that pulled Freyja’s chariot. With all things considered, I believe the tradition of giving the new bride a kitten should be revived, because who wouldn’t want a fluffy ball of joy on their big day?