So, while Norse and Germanic warriors yelled Odin’s name when they ran into battle and invoked Týr’s name when they spoke of honor and justice in war, they all spoke of Thor when they described the “perfect” warrior. Even though he was technically three-quarters a giant himself, as his mother Jörð was a giantess and Odin was half-god and half-giant, Thor’s loyalty’s were undivided and he would defend Asgard and Midgard (Earth) against anything that tried to harm his people. He was the stout defender of Asgard against the forces of giants, jötnar, and monsters. Thor was viewed as a model of bravery and courage. Thor also wears the famous magical belt Megingjörð which further doubles his already impressive strength. He’s described as a muscular, towering figure with exceptional physical strength. He was well-established as the most physically strong god in Asgard and many of his myths examined that quality in detail. Thor was also the god of strength in the Norse pantheon. During dry periods, people offered animal sacrifices to Thor, in hopes that he would send rain. Every thunderstorm and even every light rain was attributed to him. Thor is best-known today as a god of thunder and lightning. Amulets shaped as his hammer Mjolnir were even used as fertility and good luck charms at weddings. He was worshipped and beloved by almost everyone in Northern Europe, from kings to farmhands. In fact, Thor isn’t even Odin’s “favorite” son in Norse mythology – that title belonged to Baldur who met a tragic death before the fated Ragnarok.Įven if Thor wasn’t Odin’s favorite, however, he was certainly the favorite god of the ancient Norse and Germanic people. Thor wasn’t Odin’s only son, as the Allfather had several male children. He was also called Donar among the Germanic people. A son of the god Odin and the giantess and Earth goddess Jörð, Thor is the most famous son of the wise Allfather.