Today, many people know Thor as a comic book character, but: Who is Thor?

Thor is famous for his ability to protect himself from thunder and lightning, but in Norse mythology, Thor is more than that. He is also a wise god who can use his abilities and weapons. Thor uses a combination of intelligence, strength, and sometimes humor in many of his stories. He travels across lands, fights monsters, and slays giants with his legendary hammer mjölnir. As the primary god, Thor is a god figure that in many ways predates the beliefs of the Vikings. From names to cultural imagery, Thor remains an influential figure in mythology.

Thor is one of the most popular Norse gods, but his admiration is not limited to the Viking age. Scholars once believed that Thor was a native Norse god, but similarities between the Norse god and other gods make it almost certain that he descended from primitive Indo-European gods. It is even said that he shared red hair with the Hindu god Indra, a similar god of thunder.

Thor is a prominent god in Germanic paganism. In Norse mythology, he is a hammer-wielding god associated with lightning, thunder, storms, sacred groves and trees, strength, the protection of humankind, hallowing, and fertility. Besides Old Norse Þórr, the deity occurs in Old English as Þunor, in Old Frisian as Thuner, in Old Saxon as Thunar, and in Old High German as Donar, all ultimately stemming from the Proto-Germanic theonym *Þun(a)raz, meaning 'Thunder'.

Thor is the god of thunder and storms, but like many other gods, he is also known as the god of fertility and prosperity. Since rain fertilizes the soil and makes plants grow, many religions have claimed that this is a life-giving functional attribute of the gods. In Northern Europe, Thor was written long before the emergence of Norse culture. The Romans said that the ancestors of the Viking thunder gods were almost certainly Germanic gods. Many Romans gave their names to gods they encountered elsewhere, believing that other religions worshiped their own pantheons under different names and guises. Although Odin was the father and king of the Aesir, the Romans associated Thor with Zeus.

There is evidence that during the Viking Age Thor and other gods were held in higher esteem than their leader Odin. Odin was generally a man of knowledge and curiosity, but Thor had the power that men of his time desired. Thor-related symbols are often found in Scandinavia, Germany, and England. Archaeologists think that the Vikings wanted to access the power of God Thor with the protective runes and amulets they found. Currently, the name Thor is also widely used by people and places in Scandinavia.

Through written records, archaeological research, and surviving sayings, Thor is so well known that some historians believe he may have been one of the most important gods in the Pantheon. The thunder god was later restated as the son of Odin, but in the early Germanic period, Thor may have been attributed to another god.

Thor's Siblings and Family

Unlike the myths of Greece and Egypt, the relationship between the Norse family of gods is not of great importance. For example, many do not have myths or adventures inherited from their families. But Thor is an exception. He is the most important member of the most famous family in Norse mythology.

When Norse mythology was written in the 13th century, Thor was known as the son of Odin, the greatest god of the Aesir pantheon. In many stories, he stood by his father's side as he fought, ate, and traveled through the nine worlds. Thor was Odin's most popular son, but his mother was not Frigg, Odin's wife. Thor's mother is generally not mentioned in mythology, but her name is Jord and she is a jötunn, or evil giant. Since Thor is the son of Odin, he is also the brother of many other gods in the Norse pantheon.

Thor's Hammer and Other Weapons

Thor can fight against even the toughest enemies because he has incredible weapons and armor. Thor is physically very strong, but his real power comes from his magical weapons. The most famous of these is Mjölnir, Thor's hammer. Mjölnir is one of the gifts the dwarves gave when Loki replaced Sif's hair with gold. Thor was so angry that his wife's hair was stolen that the dwarves who saw this made this hammer to gain his respect. Even though the hammer's handle is too short to be perfect, Mjölnir is still a great weapon. Thor can smash anything with the power of his hammer and the hammer will never break. Each blow is struck with full force and perfect accuracy. Additionally, after the hammer is thrown, it goes to its target and returns to Thor without taking any damage.

Archaeologists working in Scandinavia often find pendants or amulets in the shape of Thor's hammer. These, along with inscriptions and other images, are one of the most frequently used symbols in Viking Age art. This necklace is generally believed to be a protective amulet. They may have been believed to grant the wearer some of God's legendary power.

Being such an important figure in mythology, Thor is often mentioned in European poetry and literature. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, many German writers and scholars used pagan themes and legends to promote national interests.

Germany is famous for using this image as part of Nazi propaganda before and after World War II. In the 21st century, Thor's hammer is sometimes used as a symbol of saints in Europe and North America.

But for many people, the name Thor does not conjure up images of race or religion. Today, many people know Thor as a comic book character. In 1962, comic book writer Stan Lee, his brother Larry Lieber, and artist Jack Kirby reimagined Thor for a new audience. The Norse god became a comic book hero. Marvel Comics has reinterpreted the God Thor in some ways under the name Mighty Thor. The redhead depicted in Norse writings became yellow and was given a winged helmet, though not historically. However, in many ways, the Thor temperament remains true to its origins.

Thor is also a founding member of the Avengers and has appeared in every episode of this series. He has also appeared in several Marvel movies. Thor has been an integral part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2011.