A Brief History of Thor

As the god of thunder, a close parallel to Zeus/Jupiter, Thor defends the world against natural and spiritual disasters. He is the son of Odin, and one of the twelve principal gods or Aesir. He is generally depicted with untamed red hair and beard, and holding his hammer, Mjolnir, through which his thunder and lightening are channeled. He and Mjolnir are associated with destruction and rebirth, virility and fertility, appetite and satiation, and ferocity in battle. Though in ancient lore, Thor is considered a god, tales written in the late Dark Ages portray him as more of a mortal hero, perhaps indicating some attempt to integrate Norse mythology with that of advancing Christianity.

Modern Mjolnir Charm, photo courtesy of Misa Sakuma.

Introduction

This blog will explore different aspects of Thor, the Norse god of thunder. Various representations of him exist, and it is my aim to discover the origins of these representations, as well as the authors/artists responsible for them. I’d especially like to explore Thor’s relevance today; including the naming of Thursday, Thor’s significance in the modern Asatru and Neo-pagan religions, the ancient and modern symbolism of his hammer, Mjolnir, and the other gods in the mythological pantheon with similar characteristics.

Donner [Thor] Calls Upon the Storm Clouds by Arthur Rackham for Wagner's Das Rheingold, from mythology.wikia.com.