Mjöllnir , or möllnir ( dr. Scand. Mjöllnir [1] "crusher") - in German-Scandinavian mythology the hammer of the god Thor . Forged with a disproportionately short handle due to Loki's leprosy. Mjolnir was so heavy that no one could even lift it. Thor put on magic iron gauntlets, thanks to which the hammer became a throwing weapon, which always hit the target and returned back to the thrower. He also wore a power belt, consisting of magic rings, doubling the wearer's strength. Mjolnir was such a powerful weapon that his strike caused lightning and thunder.
Content
Mjolnir in Norse mythology
Mjolnir was made by the dwarf brook and Sindri dwarves in a dispute with Loki about the skill of blacksmiths. The hammer was recognized by the aces as the best creation of the dwarves, Loki lost the argument, and his mouth was sewn up, as Odin forbade any of the aces or doors to chop Loki's head (in the argument, Loki put his head). Mjolnir is a universal weapon that lived its own life: it either flew away from Thor, then flew back, and sometimes Thor himself had to rescue his weapon from captivity, they were killed and revived. On one of his trips to Yotunheim, Thor hammered his goats, who pulled his chariot instead of horses, and the next morning he revived them with his hammer.
The short handle of the hammer is a consequence of Loki's attempt to interfere with its manufacture [2] . At one time he was abducted by Jotun Trim , but thanks to the cunning Loki, he was returned to Thor.
Cultural Impact
Mjolnir was considered a symbol of Thor. Copies of the hammer were popular in Scandinavia, people wore them around their necks like amulets . They were also used in sacred ceremonies - they consecrated weddings. They were put under the bed for the newlyweds, so that they had many children. After the adoption of Christianity, people still long wore both a cross and an amulet - a copy of Mjöllnir. Amulets in the form of Thor's hammers are an indicator of the presence of medieval Scandinavians [3] . Now Thor's Hammer on the coat of arms is used by the Swedish community of .
The hammer of Thor is one of the famous elements of Scandinavian culture in general and mythology in particular. Jewelry “based on” and even sculptures are made [4] . In May 2013, Mjolnir under the name “Hammer of the Torah” was listed on the list of approved tombstones of the US Veteran Department under number 55 [5] [6] .
Notes
- ↑ The word is related to rus. lightning, hammer , see Ivanov Vyach. Sun , Toporov V.N. Research in the field of Slavic antiquities. - M .: Science , 1974.
- ↑ H. Gerber. Myths of Northern Europe. - M.: "Centerpolygraph", 2008.
- ↑ Nosov, E. N. Typology of the Volga Region Cities. In the book: Novgorod and Novgorod land. History and archeology. Materials of the scientific conference. Vol. 7. Novgorod, 1993.
- ↑ Context. Crimea: Donetsk blacksmiths made a sculpture “Hammer of the Torah” for Simferopol
- ↑ National Cemetery Administration: Available Emblems of Belief for Placement on Government Headstones and Markers . US Department of Veterans Affairs. - "55 - Hammer of Thor." Date of treatment May 12, 2013. Archived June 10, 2013.
- ↑ Elysia. Hammer of Thor now VA accepted symbol of faith . Llewellyn. Date of treatment May 12, 2013. Archived June 10, 2013.
Literature
- Elder Edda. Song of the Hold. Translation by A. Korsun. M .: "Fiction", 1975.
- Gerber H. Myths of Northern Europe. - M.: "Centerpolygraph", 2008.
- Gurevich A. Ya. Selected Works. T. 1. The ancient Germans. Vikings. - M.-SPb .: "University Book", 1999.
- Nosov E.N. Typology of Volga region cities. // Novgorod and Novgorod land. History and archeology. Materials of the scientific conference. Vol. 7. Novgorod, 1993.