No. 123Ancient Traditions

Thor

Þórr

Norse god of thunder, strong protector of gods and people

Thor (Þórr) is the Norse god of thunder, a strong and steadfast protector of gods and people against the giants. He appears in Viking Age and medieval Icelandic sources, including the Poetic and Prose Eddas. His three treasures are the hammer Mjölnir, a belt of strength and iron gloves, and his chariot is drawn by two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr.

Devotees look to him for strength, protection and the power of storms. Today he is honoured in Heathenry (Ásatrú), the modern revival of Germanic pre-Christian religion, where universalist Heathens hold that his worship is open to all.

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Thor

How to recognise Thor

  1. Mjölnir, the hammerA heavy two-headed hammer with a short handle, short because Loki's meddling disturbed its forging; it is his key identifying attribute.
  2. Iron gloves (Járngreipr)Dark metal gauntlets, at least on the hammer hand, which he needs to grip the hammer's haft.
  3. Belt of strength (Megingjörð)A broad, prominent belt that doubles his might.
  4. Red beardA full red beard, the image given by later tales and the usual modern convention.
  5. Two goatsTanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr, who draw his chariot; there are always two.
  6. Powerful buildA strong grown man, forthright and protective, often shown in motion.

Names and titles

  • God of ThunderHis name means 'thunder'; god of storms, strength and protection
  • Defender of MidgardSkaldic kenning: guardian of the gods' home and the world of people
  • Strongest of Gods and MenSnorri's description of Thor in Gylfaginning
  • Rider of the Goat ChariotÖku-Thor, who drives a chariot drawn by his two goats
  • Son of Odin and JördSkaldic kenning naming his father Odin and mother Jörd, the Earth

Thor in the shop

Sources

  1. Snorri Sturluson: Prose Edda (Gylfaginning), tr. R. B. Anderson, 1901
  2. Wikipedia: Thor
  3. Wikipedia: Mjölnir
  4. ADL: Thor's Hammer
  5. ADL: Valknot
  6. ADL: Othala Rune
  7. Wikipedia: Heathenry (new religious movement)
  8. Declaration 127
  9. The Troth: Position statement on the Odinist ritual defense, Indiana murder case
  10. Asatru UK: Inclusivity
  11. Rudolf Simek: Dictionary of Northern Mythology (Boydell & Brewer, 1993)
  12. Skáldskaparmál, sections 11-20 (voluspa.org)

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