Thor - God of Norse Mythology
Thor, , depicted as an imposing figure.
Thor (pronounced: "thawr") is a prominent deity in Norse mythology and Germanic folklore, known as the god of thunder, strength, and protection. He has a complex role, influencing areas such as weather, harvests, justice, travel, and battles.
The name "Thor" in Old Norse runes is written as:
ᚦᚢᚱ
The name "Thor" derives from Proto-Germanic *Þunraz, and has the same origin as the English word "thunder". Thor is known by different names in various Germanic languages such as Þórr in Old Norse, Þunor in Anglo-Saxon, Thunaer in Old Saxon, and Donar in Old Netherlandish and Old High German. He is also associated with the Greek god Zeus, who shares many similarities with Thor.
Thor is the son of the elder god Odin and the goddess Jörð, personification of the Earth. His wife is Sif, with whom he had a daughter named Þrúðr, a Valkyrie whose name means "strength" or "power". With the giant Járnsaxa, he had another son named Magni, which means "strong". He is also the father of Móði, whose name means "anger", but there is no information in the myths about who his mother is. Thor also has a stepson named Ullr, son of Sif whose father is not mentioned.
Thor's most prominent attribute is his short-handled war hammer, Mjolnir, which was created by the dwarves Sindri and Brokk. Mjolnir has the property of never missing its target and always returning to Thor's hand after being thrown. It can also shrink and be carried concealed in clothing, and can be used to throw lightning. To lift his hammer, Thor uses a belt that increases his strength, called Megingjörð.
Thor had a significant area of influence, from controlling the weather and crops to consecration, justice, protection, and battles. For this reason, he was often considered a supreme deity. The most obvious attribute of the god is his warrior aspect, and many myths describe him hacking his way through hordes of giants with his war hammer. However, Thor in the role of warrior fulfills a protective role, unlike Odin who called his followers to battle for death and glory. For the Icelanders, Thor was the patron of the law, and the þing opened on Thursdays in his honor and was invoked in most oaths.
In popular culture, Thor has been featured in various media, including comic books, movies, and video games. The Marvel Comics character Thor, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1962, is based on the Norse deity and has become one of the most recognizable and popular superheroes in the world.
Please note that the information provided about Thor and Norse mythology is complex and may be subject to interpretation and debate. The myths and stories of Norse mythology have evolved and been passed down through oral tradition and written accounts, and there may be variations in the way they are told and understood. This information should be used as a general reference and not as a definitive source on the subject.
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Other Norse Gods and Goddesses
- Baldur (Æsir) - God of Light, Beauty, and Goodness
- Bragi (Æsir) - God of Poetry and Song
- Beyla (Æsir) - Goddess of Fertility and Prosperity
- Borr (Æsir) - Father of the Norse Gods
- Byggvir (Vanir) - God of Prosperity and Peace
- Dellingr (Æsir) - God of the Dawn and Justice
- Eir (Ásynjur) - Goddess of Healing and Compassion
- Forseti (Æsir) - God of Justice and Reconciliation
- Freyr (Vanir) - God of fertility, prosperity, and peace.
- Frigg (Ásynjur) - Goddess of marriage and fertility, also known as the queen of the gods.
- Fulla (Ásynjur) - Goddess of Fertility and Abundance
- Gefjon (Ásynjur) - Goddess of fertility and plowing.
- Gilling (Æsir) - A man who was drowned by the god Loki.
- Gjöll (Æsir) - A river that separates the land of the living from the land of the dead.
- Glaumvor (Æsir) - A giantess who was the mother of the god Heimdall.
- Gná (Ásynjur) - Goddess of the messenger of the gods.
- Gullinbursti (Æsir) - A magical boar that was a gift to the god Freyr from the dwarves.
- Gullveig (Vanir) - A goddess who was burned to death by the Æsir, but was reborn as the goddess Hecate.
- Heimdall (Æsir) - God of vigilance and guardian of the Bifröst.
- Hel (Æsir) - Goddess of death and ruler of the realm of the dead.
- Hermod (Æsir) - God of speed and messenger of the gods.
- Hildisvini (Æsir) - A magical boar that was a gift to the goddess Freyja from the dwarves.
- Hlin (Ásynjur) - Goddess of consolation and protection.
- Höðr (Æsir) - God of winter and darkness
- Hönir (Æsir) - One of the three creators of the world, along with Odin and Loki.
- Honir (Æsir) - God of communication and diplomacy.
- Idun (Ásynjur) - Goddess of youth and keeper of the golden apples of immortality.
- Jörd (Ásynjur) - Goddess of earth and fertility.
- Kvasir (Vanir) - God of wisdom and knowledge, who was created from the spit of the Æsir and the Vanir.
- Lóðurr (Æsir) - Described as being involved in the creation of the first humans.
- Lofn (Ásynjur) - Goddess of forbidden love and marriage.
- Loki (Æsir) - God of mischief, deception, and fire.
- Magni (Æsir) - God of strength, who will survive Ragnarök and rule the new world.
- Modi (Æsir) - God of anger, who will survive Ragnarök and rule the new world.
- Mimir (Æsir) - God of wisdom and knowledge, who guarded the well of wisdom.
- Nanna (Ásynjur) - Goddess of love and fertility, who was the wife of Balder.
- Njörd (Vanir) - God of the sea, wind, and fertility.
- Odin (Æsir) - Chief god and ruler of the gods, who was associated with war, wisdom, poetry, and magic.
- Rán (-) - Goddess of the sea and death by drowning.
- Saga (-) - Goddess of history, poetry, and wisdom.
- Sif (Ásynjur) - Goddess of fertility and abundance, who was the wife of Thor.
- Sigyn (Ásynjur) - Goddess of fidelity and loyalty, who was the wife of Loki.
- Sjöfn (Ásynjur) - Goddess associated with love.
- Skaði (Ásynjur) - Goddess of hunting, skiing, and winter.
- Snotra (Ásynjur) - Goddess associated with wisdom.
- Sól (Ásynjur) - Goddess of the sun.
- Thor (Æsir) - God of thunder, lightning, and protection, who was associated with strength and fertility.
- Týr (Æsir) - God of war and justice.
- Ullr (Æsir) - God of skiing, archery, and the hunt.
- Váli (Æsir) - God of revenge and justice, who was born to avenge the death of his brother Balder.
- Vár (Ásynjur) - Goddess of vows and agreements.
- Vé (Æsir) - One of the three creators of the world, along with Odin and Vili.
- Vili (Æsir) - One of the three creators of the world, along with Odin and Vé.