Thor - God of Norse Mythology

An imposing figure of Thor, god of thunder and defender of Asgard.
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Thor, god of thunder and defender of Asgard, portrayed as an awe-inspiring and 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" 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.

The name "Thor" in Old Norse runes is written as:

ᚦᚢᚱ

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, Mjölnir, which was created by the dwarves Sindri and Brokk. Mjölnir 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


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