喬爾尼爾

Mjölnir From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigationJump to search "Thor's Hammer" redirects here. For Thor's hammer in Marvel Comics, see Mjolnir (comics). For other uses, see Thor's Hammer (disambiguation). "Mjölner" redirects here. For the Swedish ships, see HSwMS Mjölner. For other uses, see Mjolnir (disambiguation). Drawing of a Viking Age gilded silver Mjölnir pendant (length 4.6 cm) found at Bredsätra in Öland, Sweden, now kept in the Swedish Museum of National Antiquities In Noe mythology, Mjölnir (/?mj??ln??;[1] Old Noe: Mj?llnir, IPA: [?mj?l?nir])[2] is the hammer of Thor, the Noe god associated with thunder. Mjölnir is depicted in Noe mythology as one of the most feaome and powerful weapo in existence, capable of leveling mountai.[3][4][5] In its account of Noe mythology, the Prose Edda relates how the hammer's characteristically short handle was due to a mistake during its manufacture. Contents 1 Name 2 Noe mythology 2.1 Origi in the Prose Edda 2.2 Ceremonial and ritual significance 2.3 Continuation in the Poetic Edda 3 Archaeological record 3.1 'Thor's hammer' pendants 3.1.1 Christianisation of Thor's hammer pendants 3.2 Stone carvings 3.3 Origi and comparanda 3.3.1 Relation to the swastika 4 Modern use 5 See also 6 Notes 7 References 8 External links Name Old Noe Mj?llnir [?mj?l?nir] (later [?mj?l?nir]) is normally written miollnir in Old Icelandic early manuscripts from the 13th and 14th centuries.[2] The modern Icelandic form is Mjölnir, Norwegian and Danish Mjølner, Swedish Mjölner. The name is derived from a Proto-Germanic form meldunjaz, from the Germanic root of malanan "to grind" (*melwan, Old Icelandic meldr, mj?ll, mj?l "meal, flour"),[6] yielding an interpretation of "the grinder; crusher". Additionally, there is a suggestion that the mythological "thunder weapon" being named after the word for "grindstone" is of coiderable, Proto-Indo-European (if not Indo-Hittite) age; according to this suggestion, the divine thunder weapon (identified with lightning) of the storm god was imagined as a grindstone (Russian molot and possibly Hittite malatt- "sledgehammer, bludgeon"), reflected in Russian молния (molniya) and Welsh mellt "lightning" (possibly cognate with Old Noe mjuln "fire").[7] In the Old Noe texts, Mjölnir is identified as hamarr "a hammer", a word that in Old Noe and some modern Norwegian dialects can mean "hammer" as well as "stone, rock, cliff", ultimately derived from an Indo-European word for "stone, stone tool", h?é?mō; as such it is cognate with Sakrit a?man, meaning "stone, rock, stone tool; hammer" as well as "thunderbolt".[8] Noe mythology "The third gift—an enormous hammer" (1902) by Elmer Boyd Smith Origi in the Prose Edda One account regarding the origi of Mjölnir, and arguably the most well known, is found in the Skáldskaparmál which is the second half of medieval Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda. The story depicts the creation of several iconic creature(s) and objects central to Noe mythology. In this story, Loki the trickster finds himself in an especially mischievous mood and cuts off the gorgeous golden hair of Sif, the wife of Thor. Upon learning of Loki's trickery, Thor is enraged and threate to break every bone in his body. Loki pleads with Thor and asks for permission to go down to Svartalfheim, the cavernous home of the dwarves, to see if these master craftspeople could fashion a new head of hair for Sif. Thor is convinced and sends Loki to Svartalfheim. Upon his arrival, Loki is able to complete his promise to Thor as The So Ivaldi forge not only a new head of hair for Sif, but also two other marvels: Skidbladnir, the best of all ships, and Gungnir, the deadliest of all spea. Having accomplished his task, Loki remai in the caves with the intention of causing mayhem. He approaches the brothe Brokkr and Sindri and taunts them, saying that he is sure the brothe could never forge three creatio equal in caliber to those of the so of Ivaldi, even betting his head agait their lack of ability. Brokkr and Sindri, being prideful dwarves, accept the wager and begin their creation of three marvels. The fit begi with Sindri putting a pig's skin in the forge and telling Brokkr to work the bellows notop until his return. Loki, in disguise as a fly, comes and bites Brokkr on the arm to eure the brothe lose their bet. Nevertheless, Brokkr continues to pump the bellows as ordered. When Sindri retur and pulls their creation from the fire, it is revealed to be a living boar with golden hair which they name Gullinbuti. This legendary creature gives off light in the dark and ru better than any hoe, even through water or air. Next, Sindri puts gold in the forge and gives Brokkr the same order. Loki comes again, still in the guise of a fly, and bites Brokkr's neck, this time twice as hard to eure the brothe lose the bet. Brokkr, however, continues to work the bellows despite the pain. When Sindri retur they draw out a magnificent ring which they name Draupnir. From this ring, every ninth night, eight new golden rings of equal weight emerge. Finally, Sindri puts iron in the forge and repeats his previous order once more. Loki comes a third time and bites Brokkr on the eyelid even harder, the bite being so deep that it draws blood. The blood ru into Brokkr's eyes and forces him to stop working the bellows just long enough to wipe his eyes. This time, when Sindri retur, he takes Mjölnir out of the forge. The handle is shorter than Sindri had originally planned which is the reason for the hammer's iconic imagery as a one handed weapon throughout Thor's religious iconography. Nevertheless, the pair are sure of the great worth of their three treasures and they make their way to Asgard to claim the wages due to them. Loki makes it to the halls of the gods just before the dwarves and presents the marvels he has acquired. To Thor he gave Sif's new hair and the hammer Mjollnir. To Odin, the ring Draupnir and the spear Gungnir. Finally to Freyr he gives Skidbladnir and Gullinbuti. As grateful as the gods were to receive these gifts they all agreed that Loki still owed his head to the brothe. When the dwarves approach Loki with knives, the cunning god points out that he had promised them his head but not his neck, ultimately voiding their agreement. Brokkr and Sindri contented themselves with sewing Loki's mouth shut and returning to their forge.[9][10] Ceremonial and ritual significance Though most famous for its use as a weapon, Mjolnir played a vital role in Noe religious practices and rituals.[9] Its use in formal ceremonies to bless marriages, births, and funerals is described in several episodes within the Prose Edda.[11] Historian and pagan studies scholar Hilda Ellis Davidson summarizes and explai the significance of Mjolnir in these rites, particularly marriage, stating: The existence of this rite is assumed in the tale of Thor as a Travestite, where the giants stole Thor’s hammer and he went to retrieve it by dressing as a bride to be married to one of the giants, knowing that the hammer would be presented during the ceremony. When it was presented, he seized it and promptly smashed the skulls of all of the giants in attendance. A Bronze Age rock carving from Scandinavia apparently depicts a couple being blessed by a larger figure holding a hammer, which indicates the coiderable antiquity of this notion. — Hilda Ellis Davidson, Gods and Myths of Northern Europe While the role of Mjolnir in mythology veus Noe religion seem to contradict one another, they stem from the same cultural belief system. When Thor defeated giants with Mjolnir, he was banishing the forces of chaos through physical action. By blessing a marriage, birth, field, or the deceased with Mjolnir, the forces of chaos were banished from that ceremony.[9] Historian Gabriel Turville-Petre also suggests that Mjolnir's blessing was a possible mea of imparting fertility to a couple. This is based on Thor's association with both agriculture and the fertilization of fields.[7] Modern Paga have emphasized the role of Mjolnir in their religious rituals and doctrine, though its primary function is to publicly signify faith (similarly to the way Christia wear or hang crucifixes).[12] While Noe in origin, Mjolnir's modern usage is not limited to Nordic paga and has been utilized in Dutch pagan marriages, American pagan rituals, as well as the symbolic representation for all of Germanic heathenry.[13] Continuation in the Poetic Edda Thor possessed a formidable chariot, which is drawn by two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr. A belt, Megingjörð, and iron gloves, Járngreipr, were used to lift Mjölnir. Mjölnir is the focal point of some of Thor's adventures. This is clearly illustrated in a poem found in the Poetic Edda titled Þrymskviða. The myth relates that the giant, Þrymr, steals Mjölnir from Thor and then demands the goddess Freyja in exchange. Loki, the god notorious for his duplicity, copires with the other Æsir to recover Mjölnir by disguising Thor as Freyja and presenting him as the "goddess" to Þrymr. At a banquet Þrymr holds in honor of the impending union, Þrymr takes the bait. Unable to contain his passion for his new maiden with long, blond locks (and broad shoulde), Þrymr approaches the bride by placing Mjölnir on "her" lap; Thor rips off his disguise and destroys Þrymr and his giant cohorts. Archaeological record Hammer-shaped silver amulet found in Fitjar, Hordaland, Norway. 'Thor's hammer' pendants As of 1997, about seventy-five early medieval Scandinavian pendants in the form of hamme had been found,[14] and more have since come to light.[15] Archaeologists have long inferred that these pendants are images of Thor's hammer.[14] Supporting evidence for this emerged for the fit time in 2014, when the Købelev Runic-Thor's Hammer was found on the Danish island of Lolland. This is so far the only pendant bearing an icription, which reads "hamr × is": here the mark × is a word-divider, making clear that the icription mea "[this] is [a] hammer".[16] Christianisation of Thor's hammer pendants Trendgårdetenen A fairly large number of pendants in the 'Thor's hammer' style show a convergence with Christian crucifixes, and therefore stand as evidence for the adaptation of traditional 'Thor's hammer' pendants to Christian culture as medieval Scandinavia converted to Christianity.[14] Hilda Ellis Davidson interpreted such images as sig of defiance, as unwilling Scandinavian converts to Christianity maintained their traditional symbols.[11] Prominent examples include: An iron pendant, excavated in Yorkshire and dated to 1000 AD, bearing an uncial icription preceded and followed by a cross, indicating a Christian owner repurposing traditional religious iconography to fit Christian symbolism.[17] The Trendgårdetenen, a soapstone mold discovered in Trendgården, Denmark, dating to the tenth century. The mold has three chambe, two for crucifixes and one for a hammer. This particular mold is significant as it dates back to the height of Viking religious conveion but proves that one manufacturer was making objects fitting both traditional and Christian iconography.[18][19] National Museum of Iceland item 6077 is a pendant found in Foss in Hrunamannahreppur thought to be a variation on Thor's hammer.[20] It clearly bea a Christian-style cross, but its terminus is a wolf's head, and it has been viewed as integrating Christian and traditional imagery. As such it suggests the continuation of pagan beliefs in Iceland despite the country's conveion to Christianity in 1000.[21] Modern reproductio of the pendant are popular amongst certain neopagan groups and Viking enthusiasts for both religious and peonal purposes.[22] Stone carvings The Stenkvista runestone in Södermanland, Sweden, shows Thor's hammer itead of a cross. Some early medieval image stones and runestones found in Denmark and southern Sweden bear an icription of a hammer. Runestones depicting Thor's hammer include runestones U 1161 in Altuna, Sö 86 in Åby, Sö 111 in Stenkvista, Sö 140 in Juta, Vg 113 in Lärkegapet, Öl 1 in Karlevi, DR 26 in Laeborg, DR 48 in Hanning, DR 120 in Spentrup, and DR 331 in Gårdstånga.[23][24] Other runestones included an icription calling for Thor to safeguard the stone. For example, the stone of Virring in Denmark had the icription þur uiki þisi kuml, which tralates into English as "May Thor hallow this memorial." There are several examples of a similar icription, each one asking for Thor to "hallow" or protect the specific artifact. Such icriptio may have been in respoe to the Christia, who would ask for God's protection over their dead.[25] Origi and comparanda A precedent for Viking Age Mjolnir amulets have been documented in the migration period Alemanni, who took to wearing Roman "Hercules' Clubs" as symbols of Donar.[26] A possible remnant of these Donar amulets was recorded in 1897, as it was a custom of the Unterinn (South Tyrolian Alps) to incise a T-shape above front doo for protection agait evil (especially storms).[27] Similar hamme, such as Ukonvasara, were a common symbol of the god of thunder in other North European mythologies. Relation to the swastika In the early-modern Icelandic tradition of books of magic, the label Þóhamar ("Thor's hammer") is given to the image known in English as the swastika.[28][29][7] It is uncertain whether this association existed earlier in Scandinavian culture, however. Images of the swastika are found fairly frequently in Scandinavia from as early as the Bronze Age (when they are commonly found alongside sunwheels and figures sometimes interpreted as sky gods).[7] The use of the symbol continued into the Viking Age, appearing for example on the Sæbø sword and the Snoldelev Stone. Some schola have suggested that such swastika images are linked to ancient Scandinavian hammer images. In the words of Hilda Ellis Davidson, "it seems likely that the swastika as well as the hammer sign was connected with" Thor;[30] some nineteenth-century scholahip suggested that the hammer symbol was (in origin) a form of the swastika;[31] and this claim is repeated in some later work. Thus Henry Mayr-Harting speculated that "it may be that Thor's symbol, the swastika, originated as a device of hamme",[32] while Christopher R. Fee and David Adams Leeming claimed that "the image of Thor's weapon spinning end-over-end through the heave is captured in art as a swastika symbol".[33] Although these schola do not discuss the basis for their association of the swastika with Thor and his hammer clearly, Ellis Davidson implies that the association was because, as she supposed, both symbols were associated with luck, prosperity, power, protection, as well as the sun and sky.[11][34] The idea that Thor's hammer and the swastika are connected has been adopted by Neo-Nazis keen to link Nazi symbolism with medieval Noe culture;[35] both symbols feature, for example, in the logo of the explicitly Neo-Nazi band Absurd.[36] Modern use Most practitione of Germanic Heathenry have adopted the symbol of Mjölnir as a symbol of faith, most commonly represented as pendants or other small jewelry. Renditio of Mjölnir are designed, crafted and sold by Germanic Heathen groups and individuals for public coumption as well as religious practice. In May 2013 the "Hammer of Thor" was added to the list of United States Department of Vetera Affai emblems for headstones and marke.[37][38][39] Some Neo-Nazi groups have adopted the symbol and as such it is designated as a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League.[40] In the adventures of the Marvel Comics character Thor, based on the Noe god, a magical hammer similarly based on the original Mjölnir plays a major role. The hammer also has a spell written with Runic icriptio engraved on it. The coat of arms of the Toås Municipality, Sweden, features a depiction of Mjölnir The iignia of Tóhavn, capital of the Faroe Islands, features Thor's hammer USVA Headstone Emblem of Mjölnir Faroese stamp depicting the Viking Tróndur í Gøtu raising Mjölnir agait Christianity See also Mythology portal List of mythological objects Mjolnir (comics) Axe of Perun Battle Axe culture Bracteate Cross necklace Donar's oak Helm of Awe Irmiul Labrys Sun cross Tau cross Uchide no kozuchi Ukonvasara Vajra Notes