The new crossing lights, which were put on display by city council member Buenyamin Simsek, will reportedly be installed around the city, forming a circle around Aarhus’ downtown area, according to the Associated Press.
Aarhusianers and tourists will know it’s safe to cross designated roadways when a green Viking figure is shown walking on the pedestrian signal. When the figure is lit in red and seen standing, pedestrians do not have the right of way.
Denmark’s Viking signals are somewhat similar to the East German Ampelmännchen, a recognizable pedestrian crossing symbol initially designed by traffic psychologist Karl Peglau in the early 1960s. Since the German reunification, the hatted, East German traffic light man has become a must-see for tourists flocking to Berlin.
