The paper explores the role of certain motifs in the context of Scandinavian medieval art from the beginning of the 11th to the second half of the 13th century through analysis and critical discussion. Monuments depicting motifs interpreted as parts of Sigurd's and Gunnar's lives, described in medieval sagas and often interpreted as pagan and problematic, have been examined in more detail. One of the earlier preserved depictions are found on the stone crosses of the Isle of Man and Gotland’s picture stones, and certainly the most famous Swedish representation is found on the Ramsund carving. Due to its specific context, special attention was paid to depictions on Norwegian wooden portals dating back to the 13th century. The iconographic programs of these portals indicate a good knowledge of the subject and the use of old motifs for new theological purposes. The motifs of the heroic sagas are placed in a sacral context, on the key position of the building. Given the artistic heritage of animal styles and the changing role of the motifs of these styles within the Christian context, a similar change can be traced in the context of Sigurd’s motifs. The character of Sigurd thus underwent a transformation from a mythological character, through a historical hero to a general symbol of the struggle against evil. In the period of the picture stones, he served as a mediator between religions, and on the portals he fulfilled the potential of a church entrance by possibly carrying the key political and church messages of intellectual elites.