Search A Light In The Darkness

Tuesday, 16 June 2009

A Word on "Thor - God Of Thunder'

Thor was the God of thunder and lightning; the son of Odin and the giantess Jörd (Jord or Fjorgyn or Hlódyn - goddess of the earth

Thor married Sif, the golden-haired goddess. He was the father of a daughter, named Thrud. By his mistress, Jarnsaxa (Iarnsaxa, "iron-sax"), a giantess, he was the father of two sons, Magni and Modi.

His domain was Thrudvangar with 540 apartments. Thor has a hall which he resided, called Bilskirnir. His symbol was the device known as the swastika. Thor had a chariot drawn by two goats – Tanngniost and Tanngrisnir, Thor became known as Oku-Thor.

Thor also had two servants, Thialfi and Roskva, son and daughter of a farmer, named Egil, who had given hospitality to Thor and Loki. Thialfi appeared frequently, including in the myth about Hrungnir.

Thor was always depicted as a massive and strong, bearded man with his mighty war-hammer Mjollnir that he can used to create thunderbolts. The Mjollnir was powerful weapon, which was used by throwing the hammer at his enemy, the hammer would always return magically to his hands, probably because he worn magical iron gloves, known as the Járngreipr. The twin dwarfs, Brokk and Eiti, created the Mjollnir.

What made Thor seemingly invincible was that he also wears the Megingjarpar (girdle of might), that adds him his already enormous strength. This girdle was given to Thor by the giantess Grid, when the giant Gerrod stole Mjollnir. Grid also gave Thor a pair of iron gloves (Járngreipr) and an unbreakable staff, known as Grídarvöl.

Thor was the mightiest of the gods, and he was their greatest champion. His chief enemies were the giants from Jötunheim (Jotunheim). Often the stories of Thor were concern with the god killing one giant or another in various adventure.

His greatest enemy was called Jörmungand (Jormungand) or Jörmungandr, commonly known as the Midgard Serpent (World Serpent). He failed to kill Jörmungand, in an early encounter. During the final battle of the gods (Ragnarök), Thor and Jörmungand would kill one another.

Thor enjoys greater popularity than Odin does, particularly in the rural area. And since he was god of thunderstorm he was similar to the Roman god, Jupiter or Jove (Zeus). Thursday was named after Thor or Thunor, matching Jove's day. (Timeless Myths)