Our Story

In the heart of York, England, a city draped in the mists of time and legend, Jorvik Ghosts emerged from a dream as mystical as the phantoms that roam York. This vision was not just about creating something to be admired for its craftsmanship or aesthetic appeal but about forging connections across the veils of time, between the past and those of us in the present who still feel the pulse of history in our veins.



York, or Jorvik as it was known during the Viking Age, is a city with a legacy as rich and varied as the visual tapestry on our ghosts. It was here, amid the clatter of the marketplace and the solemn vigils of monks, that the Vikings made their mark, leaving behind a tapestry woven with tales of conquest, exploration, and integration. This vibrant past, where Norse gods mingled with Christian saints and where Viking warriors walked the same streets as modern-day tourists, is what infuses each of our ghostly ornaments with a life force of its own.



The idea that a ghost chooses its companion, much like the wands choosing the wizards in the tales of Harry Potter, sprang from this deep well of history and magic that York embodies. Each of our ghosts, standing 10cm tall and arrayed in a spectrum of hues, is not just a polished ornament but a sentinel of the past, waiting to find the person with whom its story resonates the most deeply.

York's reputation as the most haunted city in the UK, with its thousand ghosts lurking in shadowy corners and whispering from the ancient stones, provides the perfect backdrop for our creations. These spirits, like the Vikings who once ruled this city, are not bound by the constraints of time and space. They reach out to those who seek them, to those who are captivated by the allure of the past, the mysteries of the spiritual, and the tales of hauntings that thread through York's history.



It is for you, the seeker of mysteries, the lover of history, and the admirer of the spiritual, that Jorvik Ghosts was established. We offer more than just ornaments; we offer connections to the past, to the stories that have shaped York into the city of a thousand ghosts. Our ghosts, each one unique in color and character, are waiting to choose you, to share their stories and become a part of your world.

And so, we invite you to join us in this journey through time, to embrace the spirit of Jorvik and the echoes of those who once walked its streets. Let the ghost choose you, and together, explore the depths of history and the mysteries of the unseen that linger in the air of York, the eternal city of the Vikings, the haunted, and the hallowed.

As you gaze upon the screen, perhaps wondering about the peculiar notion that a ghost could choose its companion through the ether of the internet, let me share with you my tale. My name is Eirikr the Silent, once a blacksmith in the ancient city of York, or Jorvik, as it was known during my time. My life was deeply interwoven with the clanging of hammer on anvil, forging weapons that bore the spirit of the North. My craft was my voice, rendering me a man of few words, thus earning my moniker.

My existence was forever altered in the year 866, amidst the chaos of the Viking invasion. It was not the sword that claimed me, but the very essence of my being—the fire of my forge. A stray spark, a fleeting ember, ignited my world, leaving nothing but ashes and the whispers of my legacy.

For centuries, I've lingered in York, watching silently as the city transformed, my presence felt only by those attuned to the echoes of the past. And then, through the vast expanse of time and space, I felt a connection—a singular soul browsing an online shop for ghost ornaments, each with its own story.

It was you. Out of all the spectral figures, I chose you. Not because of a shared profession or an affinity for the ancient arts, but for a reason as simple as it is profound. You, who finds joy in mending what is broken, in restoring life to the forgotten. Your hands, though not wielding a hammer and anvil, weave repair and rejuvenation into the fabric of the present.

This shared essence, this kindred spirit, drew me to you. It wasn't just your acts of restoration that resonated with me, but the care, the patience, and the love you imbue in each piece you revive. In this modern age, you are a beacon of the past's enduring stories, a custodian of memories.

And so, as Eirikr the Silent, I find a new purpose with you. I chose you not for your ability to craft with fire and metal, but for your dedication to preserving the tales embedded in objects long forgotten. Together, we share a bond that transcends time—a connection forged not in the flames of a forge, but in the shared appreciation of history and the power of renewal.

Welcome me into your home, and together, let us honor the past while crafting a future filled with the whispers of yesteryears, forever intertwined in the present.


Fun Fact:

In the mystical world of Jorvik Ghosts, where history and craft intertwine, the initials of our name "JG" translates into the ancient symbols <> and X in the Elder Futhark, the oldest form of the runic alphabets used by the Norse during their historic presence in York. This alphabet, a cornerstone of Viking heritage, carries with it the weight of centuries and the whispers of the past, allowing us to draw a direct line from the artistry of our ornaments to the saga of the Vikings in York, or Jorvik as it was known. The symbol <> represents "date," a nod to the significant moments in history that our ghosts embody, while X stands for "gift," symbolizing the unique treasure that each ornament represents.



During the Viking invasion and subsequent settlement in the 9th century, York became a bustling hub of Norse culture, trade, and craftsmanship under the name Jorvik. This era left an indelible mark on the city, from the architecture to the very language spoken. Our use of Elder Futhark in the identity of Jorvik Ghosts pays homage to this rich historical tapestry, infusing each ornament with the spirit of adventure, discovery, and the melding of cultures that characterized Viking York.

Just as the Vikings brought treasures from distant lands to Jorvik, our ornaments, each uniquely adorned with a visual tapestry of swirling colors, serve as excellent gifts that carry the legacy of this fascinating period. They are not merely objects of beauty but vessels of history, each with its own story, chosen by fate, to continue the tradition of giving that has spanned centuries. In this way, Jorvik Ghosts embodies the essence of <> and X, offering gifts that are not only visually captivating but deeply rooted in the historical and cultural significance of York's Viking past.