Tyr (deity)

Symbols: Tyr rune

Culture: Norse; Germanic

Mother: Frigg/Freya

Father: Odin

Siblings: Balder; Hod; Hermod; Thor

Tyr is one of four deities that appear in both Norse/Scandinavian and Germanic mythology. The other three are Odin, Thor, and Freya, who is also known as Frigg. Often identified as Tyr the one-handed, he was the Norse and Germanic god of war—but unlike Odin, who was the god of warfare and death, Tyr, though a warrior, was primarily the god of the formalities of war. He was particularly concerned with treaties, as well as with justice, and was considered a protector of oaths and contracts. In addition, Tyr was the god of the "ting," a gathering or meeting in which laws could be decided or disputes settled.

Romans associated Tyr with Mars, the Roman god of war. The Romans dedicated one day of the week to Mars, Tuesday, and that can be seen in languages that evolved from Latin (mardi in French, martes in Spanish, martedi in Italian, marti in Romanian). Because of the association of Mars with Tyr, Tyr became identified with the same day of the week—and actually gave that day its English name. Alternative names for Tyr are Tiw or Tiu, leading to our "celebrating" Tuesday (Tiw’s day).

In Mythology

Tyr is one of the sons of Odin, chief of the Norse gods, and Odin’s wife, Frigg (also known as Freya). Along with his parents and siblings, Tyr was a member of the Aesir, one of two tribes of deities in Norse mythology, the other being the Vanir.

Most sources identify twelve Aesir, though there is disagreement among sources about some of the lesser gods in the group. The Aesir lived in the gold and silver palaces of Asgard, which literally means "enclosure of the gods." Asgard, one of nine worlds in Norse mythology, could only be reached by crossing Bifrost, the rainbow bridge that connected Asgard with Midgard, the world of humans.

Much of what we know about Germanic mythology comes from the Prose Edda, written by Icelandic chieftain and historian Snorri Sturluson in the thirteenth century. Sturluson’s account describes Tyr as "the boldest and most courageous" of the Aesir. "It is very much up to him who wins in battle. For men of action, he is good to invoke." The Edda notes that a particularly brave warrior is said to be "Tyr courageous." In addition, "Tyr is so wise that a clever person is said to be Tyr wise." The Edda states that the correct way to refer to Tyr is by "calling him the one-handed god, the foster-father of the wolf, the god of battles and the son of Odin."

Tyr’s bravery was demonstrated most dramatically in stories connected to the gigantic wolf, Fenrir. Fenrir, also known as Fenrisúlfr, was the son of the evil god Loki and a giantess named Angerboda. Despite his size and prophecies that the monstrous wolf would eventually try to destroy the gods, the Aesir allowed him to live in their midst. However, only Tyr was brave enough to feed Fenrir. Eventually, Fenrir became so powerful and dangerous, the gods decided he had to be bound. However, to set a trap, they had to convince Fenrir that they meant him no harm, and that the magical chain, Gleipner, would be as easy to break as any other rope or chain. Knowing that Tyr was the protector of oaths and contracts, Fenrir said he would not trust the gods unless Tyr demonstrated good faith by putting his right hand in the wolf’s huge mouth. As the magical chain prepared by the gods tightened around the wolf, Fenrir realized it was a trap and bit off Tyr’s hand. This is why Tyr is often called Tyr the one-handed. After that, the point on the wrist where Fenrir’s bite severed Tyr’s hand became known as the wolf’s joint. It was predicted that Fenrir would eventually escape and take part in destroying the gods at Ragnarok, which means "Doom of the Gods." However, when Ragnarok occurred, it was Garm, the monstrous, four-eyed dog that guarded the entrance to Helheim, the place of the dead, that Tyr would face. Tyr and Garm would kill each other during this final battle.

Origins and Cults

The Norsemen, also known as Vikings, and the Germanic tribes of northern Europe were both feared and admired for their ferocity and fighting ability. Their gods and myths reflected their focus on warfare and skill in battle. Tyr was invoked both for victory in battle and for the oaths or treaties that ended the frequent conflicts.

While much of the lore about Tyr had faded by the time people began writing down the stories, there is evidence that he was originally more important. It appears that Tyr may have evolved from Tiwaz, a sky god and warrior who was popular well before the age of Vikings began.

The cult that once worshipped Tyr is reflected primarily in place names, especially in Denmark. Tislund, Tisso, and Tyrseng are Danish locations that remember Tyr. The waters of Tisso, which means "Tyr’s lake," have yielded up to archaeologists a wealth of Viking weapons—spear tips, axes, and swords—that were thrown into the lake as offerings to Tyr. The land at the lake’s edge was the sight of a meeting hall and a number of cult sites, all dedicated to the god of war, treaties, and meetings. In Norway, only Tysnes reminds people of Tyr.

In Popular Culture

During World War II, the Nazis adopted the Tyr rune, among other Nordic runes, to associate themselves with the great warriors of the Viking era and to suggest that they would have victory granted by Tyr. The Tyr rune looks something like an arrow pointed upward.

Tyr runes appear in current myth-oriented games, and one can buy jewelry sporting the Tyr rune "for victory and success."

Tyr the one-handed appears in Marvel’s Thor comics as a defender of Asgard, though he is also shown as rebelling against his father, Odin, who favors Thor, despite the fact that Tyr is older.

Bibliography

Bullfinch, Thomas. Bullfinch’s Mythology: The Age of Fable, The Age of Chivalry, and Legends of Charlemagne. 1867. San Diego: Canterbury, 2014. Print.

Crossley-Holland, Kevin. The Norse Myths. 4th ed. New York: Pantheon, 1980. Print.

Davidson, H.R. Ellis. Gods and Myths of Northern Europe. New York: Penguin, 1965. Print.

Hinnells, John R., ed. The Penguin Handbook of Ancient Religions. New York: Penguin, 2010. Print.

Lindow, John. Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2002. Print.

Pulsiano, Phillip, ed. Medieval Scandinavia: An Encyclopedia. New York: Garland, 1993. Print.

Sturluson, Snorri. The Prose Edda: Norse Mythology. Jesse L. Byock, trans. New York: Penguin Classics, 2006. Print.

"The Viking Blót Sacrifices." National Museum of Denmark. National Museum of Denmark, n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2015. <http://en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/denmark/prehistoric-period-until-1050-ad/the-viking-age/religion-magic-death-and-rituals/the-viking-blot-sacrifices/>.