in the brutal world of the Vikings the blood eagle ritual stood as a testament to their Fierce beliefs in Valor and Vengeance performed on enemies it was a horrific Act of punishment that symbolized a twisted form of honor the victim often a captured foe would face a Grizzly fate as the Executioner driven by Duty and rage would make the first incision along the back as lungs were pulled through the ribs the sky would be painted with the maob tableau of Agony both parties were entwined in a dance of fears the victim's desperation clashed with the Executioner resolve making the blood eagle a haunting reflection of their Savage culture entwined with the myth of the afterlife