THOR
"I am the thunderer! Here in my Northland. My fastness and fortress, reign I forever!
Here amid icebergs, rule I the nations. This is my hammer, Mioldnir the mighty,
Giants and sorcerers cannot withstand it!"
-Longfellow
Thor is a really interesting character. Some sources say he is the son of Jord and Odin, and others state he is the son of Frigga and Odin. Either way, he was born of great size and strength.
While he normally carried a cool temperament, he would occasionally go into terrible rages and become very dangerous. Because of his temper, he was sent to live with Vingnir ("the winged") and Hlora ("heat"). All of the Gods were grateful that these two raised him, including Thor himself. In honor of them, he took on two names: Vingthor and Hlorridi.Once he attained his full growth and had become more tolerant and reasonable he was permitted back in Asgard, where he occupied a seat in the council. He was given the realm of Thrud-vang where he built a palace named Bilskirnir ("lightening").
Appearance wise, he was sometimes shown wearing a large brimmed hat like Odin. This is why some Norway mountains, covered in clouds,are known as "Thor's hat". He was shown as a youthful man, muscular in build with red hair and beard. Supposedly, if Thor became angry enough sparks would flow from here. He had a crown atop his head. On each point there was a burning star, giving him a halo-like crown.
" First, Thor with the bent brow, in red beard muttering low, darting fierce lightenings from eyeballs that glow, comes, while each chariot wheel echoes in thunder peal, as his dread hammer shock makes Earth and Heaven rock, cloud rifting above, while Earth quakes below " (J.C. Jones)
He was a God of thunder, and thus was not allowed to cross the bridge Bifrost: or he would set it on fire with his presence. He carried a hammer named Mioldnir ("the crusher"). There are variations of this name. This hammer was an emblem of thunderbolts, generally glowing red hot. Thor had a gauntlet made of iron called Iarn-greiper which let him grasp and throw the hammer. To increase his strength, he wore a belt known as Megin-giord, which was said to have magical properties.
Here amid icebergs, rule I the nations. This is my hammer, Mioldnir the mighty,
Giants and sorcerers cannot withstand it!"
-Longfellow
Thor is a really interesting character. Some sources say he is the son of Jord and Odin, and others state he is the son of Frigga and Odin. Either way, he was born of great size and strength.
While he normally carried a cool temperament, he would occasionally go into terrible rages and become very dangerous. Because of his temper, he was sent to live with Vingnir ("the winged") and Hlora ("heat"). All of the Gods were grateful that these two raised him, including Thor himself. In honor of them, he took on two names: Vingthor and Hlorridi.Once he attained his full growth and had become more tolerant and reasonable he was permitted back in Asgard, where he occupied a seat in the council. He was given the realm of Thrud-vang where he built a palace named Bilskirnir ("lightening").
Appearance wise, he was sometimes shown wearing a large brimmed hat like Odin. This is why some Norway mountains, covered in clouds,are known as "Thor's hat". He was shown as a youthful man, muscular in build with red hair and beard. Supposedly, if Thor became angry enough sparks would flow from here. He had a crown atop his head. On each point there was a burning star, giving him a halo-like crown.
" First, Thor with the bent brow, in red beard muttering low, darting fierce lightenings from eyeballs that glow, comes, while each chariot wheel echoes in thunder peal, as his dread hammer shock makes Earth and Heaven rock, cloud rifting above, while Earth quakes below " (J.C. Jones)
He was a God of thunder, and thus was not allowed to cross the bridge Bifrost: or he would set it on fire with his presence. He carried a hammer named Mioldnir ("the crusher"). There are variations of this name. This hammer was an emblem of thunderbolts, generally glowing red hot. Thor had a gauntlet made of iron called Iarn-greiper which let him grasp and throw the hammer. To increase his strength, he wore a belt known as Megin-giord, which was said to have magical properties.
Thor was married to a very vain woman, Sif (though she was not his first wife), who is said to have had hair that covered her from head to foot like a veil. This was a symbol of the Earth, and her hair was to represent grass. Thor loved his wife's hair, but, to his dismay: one morning they woke and she was bald. He went into a rage, vowing vengence on whoever did this to his wife, and immediately he went to Loki- who of course was guilty. Thor grabbed him by the throat and began to strangle him and only after several pleading gestures from Loki did he stop. Loki promised to make Thor's wife a new set of hair. Loki went to the dwarf, Svart-alfaheim, and pleaded for him to make both hair and a gift for Odin (to ease tension).Much goes on here, but eventually Loki does bring Sif the hair and it becomes more beautiful than her previous locks.
A rather interesting story:
One day Thor woke with dismay to find that his hammer was gone. Being the most powerful thing he weiled and a sacred item, you can imagine his dismay. He soon had Loki brought to him and told him of the loss. The two both knew that should the giants hear of this they may attack. Loki, being good-natured for once, set out to discover the thief. Eventually it came to be known that Thyrm, prince of frost giants, had buried the hammer somewhere underground. His price: marriage to Freya. Loki and Thor both went to Freya and asked her to sacrifice herself for the common good. However, she was outraged by this and refused. Reluctantly, Loki and Thor devised a plan. Loki dressed as a handmaiden and Thor put on all of Freya's clothing, hiding himself behind a veil. Thyrm welcomed them eagerly into his home, and was slightly shocked to see what he thought to be Freya eat an ox, eight salmon and two barrels of mead. Loki explained that she had been so in love that she had not eaten for days. Thyrm leaned in to kiss the bride and was shocked at her fiery glance. Loki explained it was the "burning look of love". Pleased, Thymir sat the hammer in 'Freya's lap to make the marriage official. In less than a moment, Thor slew the giant and all of the guests.
Sources:
Myths of Northern Lands by H.A. Guerber
Norse Mythology: Great Stories from the Eddas by Hamilton
Thor: Ages of Thunder by Gillen, Deconnick and Lee