Summary

• Harbard in Vikings is a mysterious character whose real identity is never clearly revealed, leading to numerous theories about who he really is.
• Harbard stands out among the male cast for his lack of outright violence, but his actions are still enigmatic and raise questions about his true nature.
• The most likely theory is that Harbard is the Norse god Loki, considering his mystical powers and his penchant for causing chaos and sleeping with women, which aligns with Loki's character in Norse mythology.

Harbard in Vikings was one of the show's most mysterious characters with plenty of questions around his identity lingering long after it concluded. Vikings saw all types of characters — some with good hearts, and others driven by hate — but it was always hard to figure out Harbard as his real identity is never clearly revealed. Vikings followed the journeys of legendary Norse figures, such as protagonist Ragnar Lothbrok. However, as the series progressed, Vikings shifted its focus to Ragnar’s sons and their own adventures and battles, making them the protagonists. The series has seen several major characters die, but there’s one who didn't, instead disappearing as mysteriously as he arrived: Harbard.

Right from his introduction, Harbard (Kevin Durand) on Vikings stands out among the rest of the male cast because of his lack of outright violence (although he does let Siggy drown). He usually seems to appear in the town of Kattegat while most of the men are away raiding. The Harbard Vikings moments are among the most mysterious in the show, such as him disappearing into the mist in Vikings season 3 and leaving cryptic messages prior to Aslaug's death in Vikings season 4. Given the nature of the character, there are many theories on Harbard's identity, and some are more viable than others.

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Who Was Harbard In Vikings?

Harbard's Brief Time In Kattegat Led To Hatred And Jealousy

Also known as “the wanderer,” Harbard was introduced in Vikings season 3, episode 2, “The Wanderer,” but Harbard's arrival had been announced before through Aslaug, Siggy, and Helga’s dreams. The first enigmatic dream sequence is Harbard holding a snowball in his hand that's on fire while his hand drips blood. Harbard seems to have healing powers, as he is able to cure the baby Ivar the Boneless. Aslaug and Helga consequently become colder towards Harbard after he lets Siggy drown when he could've saved her without any difficulty.

Before Sigurd's heartbreaking death in Vikings season 4, he finds out that Harbard has been having sex with most of the women in town, and Aslaug descends into a blind rage. Harbard appears to her to tell Aslaug that he cannot be possessed or controlled and promptly disappears — and it's never revealed why (or how) he was able to seduce so many of Kattegat's female population. Harbard didn't stay in Kattegat for long, but it was enough time to raise many questions about who he truly was.

Vikings’ Harbard Mystery Explained

Was Harbard A Real Man Or Something More?

In Vikings, Harbard appeared in Kattegat, asking Helga for help with a wound on his hand. He presented himself as a wanderer and storyteller and was well-received by Aslaug, Siggy, and Helga — all of who had previously dreamed about his arrival. Harbard was the only one who could ease Ivar’s pain simply by touching and talking to him, much to the surprise of Aslaug and the rest.

He also appeared when Siggy dived into the frozen pond to try and prevent Hvitserk and Ubbe Ragnarrson's fate worse than death, although he initially appeared to Hvitserk as a vision of her deceased daughter, Thyri. Harbard became Aslaug’s lover, but he also slept with other women — an act to which Aslaug took strong exception. Questions arose about whether Harbard was real. Therefore, Harbard is believed by both characters in the series and viewers to be a god.

A Harbard Vikings Theory Suggests He's Really Loki (or Odin)

Theories About Other Deities Surround Hardbard As Well

In Vikings, Floki even said that “Harbard” is another name for Odin, and a couple of details support the belief that Harbard in Vikings is either Loki or Odin. When Harbard left in season 3, he vanished in the fog, suggesting he’s a supernatural being. The way he eased Ivar’s pain and how the latter reacted when he saw Harbard again (by laughing) also indicate that he wasn’t exactly human. Harbard obviously displays Norse god-like powers like Loki or Odin. In addition to the foggy disappearance, there was a white light around him when he appeared to help Siggy save Aslaug and Ragnar’s children.

While Vikings' Odin metaphors towards Harbard's character are heavy-handed, there's one significant difference between the Norse god and him: Harbard on Vikings has both eyes, while Odin doesn't. Considering the sheer amount of chaos that Harbard's presence brings to Kattegat, it's much more likely that Harbard could represent Loki rather than Odin. Both Norse gods are notorious for having sex with human women. Loki's primary directive is to wander the universe causing conflict and division, which seems like a much more fitting alignment for Harbard "the Wanderer." Some Vikings watchers have gone as far as to say he was probably Loki impersonating Odin taking human form.

Others believe that Vikings' Harbard is the Norse god Thor, based on a tale called The Tale of Utgarda-Loki, because its content matches Harbard’s stories. And some think he might have been Jesus — after all, Christianity had a place in Vikings thanks to Athelstan. The conflict between Pagans and Christians is currently being chronicled by the spinoff show Vikings: Valhalla. The real identity of Harbard might never be revealed, but he was indeed mysterious. Whether he truly was Odin, Loki, or Thor in disguise is entirely up to each viewer.

Which Harbard Theory Is Most Likely To Be True In Vikings?

His Apparent Powers And The Chaos He Brings Point To A Likely Answer

Two main Harbard Vikings theories surround the mysterious figure. The first is that he is a Norse god with the belief that Harbard represents either Loki, Odin, or Thor. The other Harbard theory is that he's just an ordinary man who likes to cause trouble in Kattegat by running around with their women. The most likely theory is that Harbard is the Norse god Loki. The god Loki, who has been depicted myriad times in various media, is the god of chaos in Norse mythology. He is a known shapeshifter, meaning he could easily take the form of the human Harbard on Vikings.

Like many Norse, Greek, and Roman gods, the figure was known for sleeping around in the realm of humans, which is precisely Harbard's modus operandi. Harbard caused quite an uproar in Kattegat despite his good deeds like saving Aslaug and Ragnar's children and easing Ivar's pain. Harbard's actions in the show Vikings don't seem like that of a human man.

Instead, Harbard in Vikings is shown to have mystical, god-like powers beyond understanding. This means he probably represents a Norse god — and that's most likely Loki. His purpose in the story, however, may be to show the friction and confusion that the conflicting Western and indigenous religions sowed throughout Viking society in real terms while also providing a sense of purpose and healing.