Reviews of the book “Thor's Hammer. Scandinavian legends"

God Thor is the supreme god in Scandinavian culture, striking with lightning. In his hands he holds Mjolnir - a special hammer. It is so huge that only Thor or Odin could lift it. But Thor himself could only take it into his hands with special iron gloves, which were forged especially for him by the miniatures. Thor's hammer Mjolnir itself was made by the dwarves of the underworld.

Nowadays, a talisman in the shape of the hammer Mjolnir is very popular; it is worn not only by fans of Scandinavian culture. It is designed to give strength, energy, and also protect against negative energy. This amulet will be discussed in more detail in the article. As a bonus, the article contains a video on this topic.

Amulet Mjolnir made of metal.

Briefly about the Torah

For those who don’t want to read large and interesting texts, which I work so hard on, but just looked for brief, basic information:

1. Thor is the god of thunder, the son of Odin and the earth goddess Jord. The main protector of all gods and people from giants and monsters.
2. Thor travels on a chariot drawn by goats Tangniostr and Tangrisnir.
3. Thor wears a magical belt of strength - Megingjord and iron gauntlets with which he holds the legendary hammer Mjolnir.
4. In all his equipment, Thor is considered invulnerable.
5. With his family, the god of thunder lives in Asgard, in the hall of Bilskirnir, which means “Rattle of Lightning.”
6. Women of Thor: Golden-haired Siv and the giantess Yarnsaxa.
7. Children of Thor: Modi, Magni, Trud and Ullr.
8. Thor is involved in many events in Norse mythology. Basically these are trips to Jotunheim - the land of giants.
9. During campaigns, Thor is often accompanied by Loki, as well as the boy Tjalfi and his sister Röskva.
10. When Ragnarok - the end of the world - comes, Thor will fight the sea serpent - Jormungandr and both of them will die. This is how the story of Thor, the god of thunder, ends.

Good health to you, friend. Glad to see you here. And this is not just a greeting for show. I really enjoy it when people read my posts. My name is Gavrilov Kirill. I am interested in the history, mythology and culture of medieval Scandinavia. And this is my Northern diary - Freinheim.

Thor is the main character in the myths and legends of the ancient Scandinavians. Red-bearded, involved in many myths and stories. Like all entries about the main gods, I put off writing about Thor for a long time because I was afraid to write on such a voluminous topic. Because writing is hard for me.

I write them for a long time and often rework them. Then I put the text aside for a few days or weeks. Then I come back and redo it again. Some texts take months to arrive - like this one. After publication, I still don’t calm down - I’m constantly rewriting and adding to it. Many of my recordings are transformed after they are published. My readers are already used to this, but I consider it unprofessional and am constantly working on myself.

Well, enough digressions, now it’s time for the story of the thunder god Thor. Make yourself comfortable - it will be interesting.

Rules for using the amulet

Scandinavians believe that it is best to wear a talisman on a silver chain. If the hammer hangs on a rope, it loses some of its protective powers and loses its meaning. It is also not recommended to combine an amulet in the form of a Mjolner with jewelry depicting reptiles (dragons, snakes, turtles), otherwise the talisman will not be activated.

You should not display Mjolnir; it is best to wear it under clothing. It is believed that all the actions of the owner of the amulet (both good and bad) return to him like a boomerang. The owner of the hammer is strictly forbidden to offend the weak and demonstrate dishonest behavior towards others.

You can relate to this sacred object in different ways. Some consider it a powerful talisman, while others are skeptical about the magical power of the hammer. The Christian Church does not approve of the veneration of this symbol, considering it a relic of paganism. However, in modern Scandinavia, images of a magic hammer, as in ancient times, are very popular.

Birth of Thor

I will begin the story of the Thunderer with his birth. Many years ago, during the great hurricane. Under the rumbles of thunder and flashes of blue lightning, the earth goddess Yord gave birth to a son from the supreme god Odin. This strong boy was named Thor. And everyone knew that the god of thunder was born that night.

The Great Hurricane - The Birth of Thor

The hurricane was truly great, animals and birds left their holes and nests and foresaw trouble. Men and giants prepared for the worst. Even the gods were worried that night. The wind was so strong that roofs were blown off houses in Midgard. And the centuries-old trees of Jotunheim broke like twigs. Do you know where the big burnt craters came from, in the fields and forests around Asgard? It was the lightning that rejoiced at the birth of Thor.

• You ask me, what kind of giants are they? In Scandinavian mythology, in general, every second giant. If you want to know more about these creatures, in this entry - Jotuns are Scandinavian giants - I tell readers in detail about these inhabitants of Jotunheim.

And here's one more before we go too far. If you are confused about the worlds, gods, goddesses and creatures of Norse mythology. I want to offer you short, handy lists with little descriptions. I have carefully compiled them for the convenience of my readers.

1. Nine Worlds
2. Gods and goddesses
3. Creatures

In general, you probably already understand. That I have a lot of interesting things in my diary, and not only about Scandinavian mythology. It will be even better ahead - after all, I have just begun to lead it. Okay, whatever I wanted, I offered. Now let's return to our god of thunder.

Etymology

More information: Thunder

Old Norse word Þorr

comes from the Proto-Germanic *
thunaraz
[2] - “thunder”.
From him they went dumb. Donner, date. donder and other English Þunor, transformed by epenthesis into English. thunder. Swede. tordön, dat. donder and norv. torden contain the suffix -dön/-den, meaning “rumble” or “hum.” Scandinavian languages ​​also have the word dunder
, borrowed from Middle Low German.

Both words ("Thor" and "thunder") are related to the Celtic taranis

(Irish tarann) - “thunder” and “god Taranis.” [
source not specified 2871 days
]

Roman sources identified Donar with Jupiter, but more often with Hercules (for example, Tacitus in his Germania).

Thor's childhood

Oh, how the great Odin rejoiced at his son. There was no stronger or more beautiful boy. More beautiful, after Balder, of course. But everything had to be paid for. Thor grew up capricious and cocky, for which he was constantly punished by his father. The little thunderer's favorite pastime was breaking. Breaking everything that is bad. And everything that is good lies. And in general, he lies and stands and hangs too - Thor destroyed everything.

All Asgardian furniture and household utensils trembled with fear when the fire-haired toddler ran into the house, screaming wildly and waving a club, which he made from the leg of another bench or old chair he had overthrown. Thor crushed and bludgeoned everything he could reach. Tables, plates, pots and jugs, pets and their peers. Even in his sleep, the cheeky bully swung his fists, defeating another giant.

While the Thunderer was small, Odin's wolves Geri and Freki took turns carrying him in their teeth. They looked after Thor and protected him from trouble. If the boy crawled too far, they brought him back to the house.

But Thor grew up, became heavier and stronger, although much more. And even two large wolves could not hold his hefty hooligan ass.

One day, Thor stole his father's spear - Gungnir. And while Odin was sleeping, Thor threw his spear so hard at the tree that he pierced it right through. Then the gods realized that there would be no better warrior than this straightforward young man. They began training the future defender of Asgard.

Thor in all his gear. Pretty menacing, right?

see also

• "Thor - Chronicles of the Edda"
• Thor (comic)
• Thor (film)
• Taarausk
• A Thousand Years of Hroft and the Death of the Gods 2 (works by Nik Perumov)
• Thor is a character in Lev Konov's children's synthesis opera "Asgard"
• Thor - character from the anime Fun of the Gods
• Tomb Raider: Underworld - the game contains a reference to the god Thor, the game's protagonist is looking for his equipment
• Thor is the name of a solid-state drive (SSD), produced under the e2e4 brand in Russia (e2e4 Gaming Thor).

What does the god of thunder look like?

You won’t confuse this hulk with anything, except perhaps a barn. Thor waved at the red-bearded bully. Thor devoted all his time to hard training and combat skills. Well, what else should he do? It’s not like picking flowers, although to each his own. Yes, Balder?

• This Balder again, who is he? Let me explain for those who don’t know. Balder is another son of Odin, the god of spring and beauty. The most eligible bachelor, and the favorite of the gods.

There is no equal to Thor in strength and military skill. He surpasses all gods and giants in strength, even his father Odin. In all nine worlds, there is not a single creature capable of defeating him. Everyone is afraid of the terrible Thor.

The Thunderer only passes through ordinary doors sideways, and then constantly touching the ceiling beams with his head. Fortunately, the passages in Asgard are wide, but not all of them, of course. But wider than in Midgard, that’s for sure.

When Thor is angry or preparing for battle, his eyes glow with a blue flame, and the air around him begins to sparkle from flashes of lightning.

Thor defends the Asgardian wall

• The famous wall of Asgard was built long ago by a great builder. But that's a different story, which I tell in the entry about Sleipnir.

What will the talisman protect against?

The mighty Mjolnir performs many functions when worn regularly:

• increases strength and endurance;
• strengthens character;
• relieves fear;
• strengthens self-confidence;
• increases the chance of career advancement;
• provides financial wealth;
• bestows fertility, increases harvest;
• heals the child’s body from ailments;
• quickly attracts good luck.

The Thor amulet does not work instantly. If the amulet is worn constantly, after a few weeks good luck will always accompany its owner.

Thor weapons and items

No one loves weapons and armor as much as our Thor. Like a little girl choosing sweets while walking through a village fair. So Thor chooses a new sword or helmet. Often, the Thunderer disappears in the underground workshops of Svartalfheim. Spending a long time looking at the creations of local gunsmiths and armor makers.

Here is a short description of Svartalfheim from my post about the worlds of Scandinavian mythology, so that you can understand how interesting it is for a good warrior to take a walk there:

Huge underground caves and catacombs are saturated with soot from numerous forges and weapons workshops. Darkness receding under the light of hot iron, oil lanterns, glowing crystals and endless sparks.

The world of dark alves - underground dwarfs or miniatures. Short, long-bearded, strong warriors and craftsmen. There are no more skillful and accurate blacksmiths and jewelers. What is not a house is an armor workshop, a forge or a smelter.

An endless network of mines, bustle of work and the constant ringing of forge hammers and heavy picks - this is all of Svartalfheim.

Thor had many different weapons and armor. But they cannot compare with his legendary magic items:

1. Mjolnir - Thor's main and favorite weapon is the hammer Mjolnir. Which was forged for him by the dwarf brothers Brok and Sindri, during a great forging dispute. The most powerful weapon in the nine worlds. I will definitely tell you about its magical properties and unusual short handle in a separate post - the history of the hammer hides a lot of interesting things.
2. Megingjord - the god of thunder wears the magical belt of power Megingjord. The belt doubles Thor's already enormous strength. I also have a separate post about the history of the belt, read it if you're interested.
3. Grip Gauntlets - To keep a firmer grip on his hammer, the Thunderer wears magical metal gauntlets. They have a death grip on the weapon in the hands of the bearer.

Role of Thor in mythology

Do you know who protects both people and gods from evil giants and ferocious monsters? I think you already guessed. Thor is the protector of Asgard and Midgard. As soon as the gods sense danger, they call Thor. The god of thunder will constantly disappear in campaigns against monsters and giants. Thor earned himself the reputation of a great warrior. He won battles many times. This is why his enemies fear him.

The main opponents of the Aesir are the giants of Jotunheim. But even the largest and strongest of them begin to tremble at the mere mention of the god of thunder and his hammer.

Thor defeated the giant king Hrungnir and obtained the huge beer cauldron of the giant Hymir. While fishing with whom, I was able to catch the Jormungandr snake. He avenged the stolen hammer by infiltrating Jotunheim, the land of giants, disguised as a woman. Thor, the god of thunder, performed many feats and deeds.

Over time, in my diary, I will tell you with great pleasure about all the exploits of Thor the Thunderer. Stay tuned for new entries in the northern mythology section.

Thor fights Hrungnir, the king of the giants

How and who can use Mjolnir, the meaning of the hammer for men and women

The Scandinavian amulet is endowed with the powerful energy of the God of Lightning. Initially, the symbol was intended for men, who were endowed with the courage and strength of the winner. Over time, the situation has changed. The hammer amulet can be worn by women to whom Thor gives wisdom and healthy offspring. Both sides receive a charge of endurance, determination, and new opportunities.

Men can use Mjolnir in the following cases:

1. To obtain a management position.
2. Development of intuition.
3. Choosing the right solution.
4. Healings from diseases.
5. Increases male power.

Women need to wear an amulet to receive the blessings of the Torah:

1. For conception and birth of a healthy child.
2. Gaining authority from male colleagues.
3. Business development and courage.
4. Gaining influence in society.
5. Development of abilities.

Interesting fact

Mjolnir is perfect for Aries, the hottest and most ambitious astrological sign. Meaning for men: protection and safety. A magical amulet helps women concentrate on tasks of primary importance and quickly achieve results.

All the deeds of Thor

As much as I would like to, I will not now talk in detail about all the exploits and campaigns of the Thunderer. For this record could encircle Midgard. Now I will briefly introduce you to all the events in which the god of thunder took part. So you know the basics:

1. Treasures of the Gods - One day, Loki stole her hair from Thor's wife, Siv. The angry Thor forced the treacherous Loki to return them, but Loki cannot do this because he cut off his hair at the roots. The cunning man asks for help from the dwarf masters of Svartalfheim. The dwarves make new golden hair for the sievs and five more magical items: Thor's Hammer Mjolnir
2. Odin's Spear Gungnir
3. Odin's Ring Draupnir
4. Ship Skidbladnir
5. Golden Boar for Freyr

Types of amulets

Today, the symbol of Thor's hammer has become very widespread among tattoo lovers. This magical drawing should protect a person from evil forces and spirits, as well as give him additional energy to achieve his goals and objectives. In addition, by having such a symbol tattooed on his body, a person shows everyone that he is a truly freedom-loving person who always goes to the very end when completing a given task.

1. If the hammer is depicted with the point up, this will mean that its owner considers himself a self-confident person with a character resistant to stress and anxiety. Such people always know exactly what they want to get out of life and how to achieve their goals.
2. If Thor's hammer is tilted, then this indicates that a person tends to deceive and be aggressive towards other people. Such people should always be avoided to avoid problems.
3. A variety of designs and patterns are sometimes placed on the back of the mjolnir. Most often you can find a pattern in the form of lightning, meaning the unbridled internal energy of a person. A tattoo can be either colored or black, which does not in any way affect its true meaning.

Thor's Hammer is one of the oldest and most powerful signs. It can make a person stronger and more resilient, as well as improve his financial situation. At the same time, he can really help only those people who have only good intentions. Such a talisman will not suit evil people.

Strictly speaking, Mjolnir of Thor could be a talisman, or it could not be, because not a single archaeological or documentary source has survived to this day confirming this version. But pendants in the shape of Mjolnir and the vastness of their distribution in connection with the presence of the cult of Thor give indirect indications that the Hammer Mjolnir could actually have protective (amulet) functions.

In the traditional Scandinavian utharka (without the “f” at the beginning, this is the only correct spelling) Mjolnir, the hammer of the god Thor, corresponds to the Thurisaz (or Ters) rune. It is important not to confuse Thurizas with the Tyr (or Tyr) rune, which is dedicated to the god of victory Tyr. Thurisaz, as a symbolic embodiment of Thor's Hammer, personifies the ability to overcome life's difficulties.

In the broadest sense, it is a weapon (primarily our own talents and abilities) that allows us to achieve our goal, overcoming difficulties, solving problems, finding a fair and correct solution. Some researchers believe that Trisaz denotes the giants of the Turs, thus having a pronounced negative aspect. In reality, such a version cannot be confirmed, and, of course, in this case the rune has nothing to do with the hammer Mjolnir.

In the modern Icelandic alphabet, the Thurizas rune is shaped like the letter “þ” (the name of the letter is “thorn”), it corresponds to the English sound “th”, and the word “Thor” is written using this letter in both classical English and Icelandic languages. That is why the connection between the Terse rune and the hammer Mjolnir is obvious, although not fully studied.

More about Thor: A dose of Thor's hammer

Thus, Mjolnir, the outstanding weapon of the god Thor, still excites the minds of researchers. This symbol, which apparently still had some kind of protective purpose, is very popular among reenactors and people interested in the early medieval history of Scandinavia and Northern Rus'. This trend cannot but rejoice, because Thor’s Hammer is a deep, interesting, powerful symbol, the importance of which is difficult to overestimate.

home and family

Thor prepares for battle

On the edge of Asgard, there is a foggy and formidable kingdom, whose name is Trudheim. In its very center, proudly standing, touching the clouds, is the gigantic palace of Bilskirnir, in which the god of thunder and his family live.

Blue lightning carved Bilskirnir right on the top of a huge mountain. Ancient stone walls and powerful columns support Thor's chambers. For ordinary wooden palaces cannot withstand the snoring, sleeping Thunderer. Thor trains in its spacious and high halls.

Thor loves sincerely and forever. All mortals need to follow his example. In total, he had two women - the golden-haired goddess Siv and the giantess Yarnsaxa.

Kids from Siv:

• Trud is a strong warrior girl. She is as red-haired and cocky as Thor, loves to throw spears at everything that moves, and of course, eat delicious food. Not a daughter, but a dream.
• Modi is the god of warrior fury. When someone starts screaming wildly and behaving badly, they say to him: “Has Modi possessed you? Well, spit it out."
• Ull - there is no faster and more skillful skier in the world than Ull. They say that it was he who invented the first skis and sleds, and then gave them to people. Because he was kind. And even on the move, he could hit a flying snowflake with a bow.

Son of Yarnsaksa:

• Magni is the powerful heir to the hammer Mjolnir. Hefty, like his father. It was Magni who pulled Thor out from under the body of the giant Hrungnir, whom he had killed. When the Thunderer was crushed by a giant's corpse.

Links

• Thor // Encyclopedia "Around the World".
• Thor, in mythology // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.

Companions of Thor

1. On his travels, Thor sets off in a chariot drawn by two mountain goats, Tangniostr and Tangrisnir. Goats gallop across the sky as if on the ground. When Thor is hungry, he kills and eats his goats. And then revives them with the power of Mjolnir's hammer. Convenient, isn't it? What a savings. The Scandinavian gods don't come up with nonsense.
2. The boy Tjalfi, the fastest and most agile young man, travels with Thor. Tjalfi ended up in Thor's service through his own fault. But that is another story.
3. Well, where would we be without Loki? As soon as Thor begins to get ready for his next campaign, the drunkard Loki appears somewhere nearby and asks to be his assistant. But all the troubles in the nine worlds are happening through his fault.