THE GODS’ CHOSEN HEIR: Why Floki Knew Who Would Succeed Ragnar Long Before His Death — Watch Here
In Vikings, few characters are as mysterious, unsettling, and spiritually complex as Floki. More than a shipbuilder, more than a warrior, Floki served as a bridge between the mortal world and the will of the gods. While others debated power, bloodlines, and ambition, Floki seemed to know something long before Ragnar Lothbrok met his fate: the gods had already chosen Ragnar’s true successor.
This was not guesswork. It was belief, intuition, and unwavering faith in the divine.
Floki’s Connection to the Gods
From the very beginning of the series, Floki is portrayed as deeply devout. Unlike Ragnar, who constantly questioned the gods, or Rollo, who chased power and glory, Floki never doubted. He listened. He watched signs. He interpreted omens. For Floki, the gods were not symbols — they were living forces shaping destiny.
Because of this, Floki understood something others missed: succession was not about strength or popularity, but destiny.
When Ragnar rose from farmer to king, Floki believed it was because the gods willed it. And when Ragnar began to falter — doubting faith, losing direction, and challenging the gods themselves — Floki sensed that Ragnar’s role in the divine story was nearing its end.
Ragnar’s Sons: Many Warriors, One Heir
Ragnar had many sons, each powerful in their own way:
Bjorn Ironside, brave, noble, and a natural leader
Ubbe, wise and diplomatic
Hvitserk, conflicted but loyal
Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, sharp and observant
Ivar the Boneless, ruthless, brilliant, and terrifying
To most Vikings, Bjorn seemed the obvious heir. He had Ragnar’s strength and charisma. But Floki never fully aligned himself with Bjorn’s claim. Instead, his gaze repeatedly drifted toward Ivar — the son most people underestimated or feared.
Why?
Because Floki recognized the same divine madness in Ivar that he once saw in Ragnar.
Ivar and the Mark of the Gods
Ivar was broken in body but unyielding in spirit. His rage, intelligence, and unpredictability set him apart. Where others fought with swords, Ivar fought with his mind. He inspired fear, devotion, and chaos — traits often associated with gods and kings in Norse mythology.
Floki understood that the gods rarely choose the most honorable or beloved. They choose the one who will reshape the world through destruction and transformation.
In Ivar, Floki saw:
A man untouched by fear
A leader who commanded loyalty through awe
A force capable of fulfilling Ragnar’s unfinished destiny
This is why Floki defended Ivar even when others questioned his cruelty. To Floki, cruelty was irrelevant. Divine purpose was everything.
Ragnar’s Death Confirmed What Floki Already Knew
Ragnar’s execution was not just an end — it was a signal. The gods had withdrawn their favor from Ragnar and passed it on. When Ragnar died laughing, defiant even in death, Floki saw the ultimate confirmation: Ragnar had fulfilled his role.
The torch had been passed.
And when Ivar orchestrated vengeance so devastating it shook kingdoms, Floki’s faith was rewarded. This was not mere revenge. This was fate unfolding.
Faith Over Blood
What makes Floki’s foresight so powerful is that it was never about family loyalty or politics. Floki did not choose Ragnar’s heir because of bloodlines or tradition. He chose based on faith.
In Vikings, succession is not inherited — it is earned through the will of the gods.
Floki knew this long before Ragnar’s death, long before the Great Heathen Army marched, and long before Ivar claimed his place in history.
The gods had chosen.
And Floki, their most devoted servant, was simply the first to listen.
