The Statue of Rällinge is a small bronze figurine found in Södermanland, Sweden, in 1904. It is believed to date from the Viking Age and stands at seven centimeters tall. The figurine portrays a figure wearing a pointed headdress, pulling down a pointed beard, and has a phallic representation, which has led to various interpretations of its identity.
One common interpretation is that the statue represents the god Freyr, often associated with fertility and agriculture. This identification is based on descriptions of a phallic statue of Freyr in the Temple in Uppsala from the 11th century, but the connection is not entirely clear.
Another suggested interpretation is that the figure could be a playful depiction, possibly representing a person playing a flute or even the god Thor. In this interpretation, the figure's beard is thought to be waving to create wind.
If the figurine does indeed represent a god, it may be a small religious statuette of a type mentioned in ancient Scandinavian sagas. The object is now part of the collection at the Swedish Museum of History.
The statue was discovered in the spring of 1904 at Rellinge Farm in Lund Parish, Södermanland, Sweden. There is some controversy surrounding its discovery, with differing accounts. The original report credited its discovery to Edward Holmgren in the farm garden, while later documents suggested that a 12-year-old boy named Gustav Karlsson found it in the farm's potato field and sold it to Holmgren. The figurine is made of bronze and dates back to around 1000, near the end of the Viking Age. It is characterized by its unique design, distinct from contemporary continental European art, indicating it was likely created by a Scandinavian sculptor.
The figure is depicted sitting cross-legged, with one hand holding his beard and the other resting on his knee. He wears bracelets on each wrist and a pointed helmet or hat on his head. The beard is pointed and long, with a large upturned mustache. Notably, the figure is depicted with a phallic symbol, denoting an erect penis. The back of the shoulders and buttocks are adorned with intricate patterns.