When discussing the Norse pantheon that resonates in contemporary culture, Thor stands out as one of the most recognizable figures, largely due to his portrayal in the Marvel Universe. His significance was equally prominent during the Viking era, where the god of thunder wielding a mighty hammer was a favored deity among the Norse. The name for Thursday, derived from Old Norse, pays homage to Thor, meaning “Thor’s Day.”
As Odin’s son, Thor was often celebrated as the mightiest of gods, charged with the protection of Ásgard, the home of the Æsir, which is one of the principal groups of Norse gods. His legendary status is evident in the numerous ancient texts and sagas chronicling his remarkable exploits. Here, we delve into four of his most notable tales from Norse mythology.
Contrary to what modern adaptations might suggest, Thor and Loki did not share a brotherly bond. Nonetheless, their narratives are often intertwined, portraying a partnership filled with mischief and rivalry. The Prose Edda recounts a playful incident where an impish Loki, out of boredom, decided to prank Thor by cutting off the golden hair of Thor’s wife, Sif, a goddess connected to the Earth and harvest. Upon discovering this, a furious Thor set his sights on Loki. To appease the wrath of the thunder god, Loki ventured into the depths of the earth to seek the help of skilled dwarves known for their craftsmanship. Loki not only procured a new exquisite headdress of golden hair for Sif but also retrieved Mjöllnir, Thor’s iconic weapon.
In another tale from the Norse poem Lokasenna, Loki’s disruptive nature is showcased during a grand feast hosted by Aegir, the ocean giant, for the gods of the Æsir. Loki’s antics led to chaos, culminating in the demise of several servants and bitter insults thrown at various deities. The tension peaked when a furious Thor arrived late, ultimately causing Loki to reconsider his behavior. Threatened by Thor’s might, Loki chose to leave the feast, confessing that Thor’s threats were indeed the ones he heeded the most.
In a rare example of collaboration between Thor and Loki, the poem Þrymskviða tells the story of Thor’s search for his missing hammer. Upon discovering its theft, the duo sought the assistance of the goddess Freyja, hoping to borrow her feather cloak for reconnaissance. Freyja consented, and Loki took flight in the cloak, only to learn that the hammer was secured by Þrymr, the jötnar king, who intended to exchange it for Freyja’s hand in marriage. Thor insisted on the unlikable plan to dress as Freyja, and after some persuasion, both he and Loki set off for Jötunheimr in disguise.
Upon their arrival, Þrymr prepared a banquet to welcome what he believed to be his bride. Thor, hidden under a bridal veil, nearly revealed himself with his relentless appetite. However, Loki quickly intervened, claiming that Freyja was starving from anticipation of her wedding. Once the festivities commenced and the bridal gift—the Mjöllnir—was brought forth, Thor swiftly reclaimed his hammer and unleashed his fury, vanquishing everyone present.
A favored pursuit of Thor was to venture eastward to confront giants and trolls, collectively known as the jötnar. Two of the most celebrated encounters are documented in the Prose Edda, particularly in Skáldskaparmál and Gylfaginning, as well as in the poem Hymiskviða. The first tale narrates a conflict between Thor and a giant named Hrungnir, who, after a drinking contest with Odin, brazenly threatened to destroy Ásgard. Thor confronted Hrungnir, resulting in an epic duel where Thor’s Mjöllnir struck true, killing the giant, although not without Thor sustaining a wound from a fragment of a whetstone.
In a subsequent adventure, Thor faced both a giant and the monstrous sea serpent, Jörmungandr. The gods desired a massive cauldron for brewing their ale, believed to be in the possession of that formidable jötunn, Hymir. During their fishing trip, Thor decapitated Hymir’s favorite ox as bait, an act that infuriated Hymir. However, Thor managed to catch Jörmungandr, the Midgard serpent, but despite his hammer’s might, the beast ultimately escaped back into the depths after Thor attacked. Once ashore, Hymir attempted to confront Thor but soon faced his end at the hands of the thunder god.
The climactic tale surrounding Jörmungandr unfolds during the apocalyptic events of Ragnarök, a famous battle in Norse mythology that saw the Æsir engage in a cataclysmic confrontation with various beasts and creatures led by Loki himself. In this final contest, Thor and Jörmungandr fought ferociously. Though Thor emerged victorious by slaying the serpent, he was mortally wounded by its poison and managed only nine steps before succumbing to death himself.
For further exploration into the intriguing history and culture of the Vikings, our Viking history hub offers a wealth of information.
