Immortal Monday ~ The God of Thunder * Badass Thor

Steering away from book inspired immortals on today’s Immortal Monday, let’s throw something else on the coffee table. Try not to spill the venti though, okay? How much do you really know about the gods?

When I mentioned this idea to my husband, he thought it would be tired. Done and overdone! What say you? Would you like to talk about the gods as we go further down this path?

Well, today I was specifically thinking about Thor. Why Thor? Um, (suppresses cough) believe it or not my daughter has a big, fat crush on the guy. Yep, she’s five and wants him all to herself. Move out of the way, ladies, Monkey (my daughter) is coming through to claim her territory! Say his name and she is ALL smiles and sweet giggles.

Aside from him being the well-built, hammer-wielding God of Thunder, what else can you tell me about him? Some of you may say he’s the son of Odin and you’d be right. But for that to hold any meaning you need to know who Odin is. Quick answer – Odin is the major Norse god. The Big Cheese. The Big Kahuna. Ruler of Asgard – one of the nine worlds and the one in which Odin resides.

As the principle player among the gods, it would appear he made the rounds sharing his love amongst the goddesses and may have had a tad more children than are recorded as actually being his. But the most famous of them all is Thor.

Yield Thor’s hammer and the wind, rain, thunder and lightning are at your command. The mighty Mjölnir is one amazing hammer. It is said to be unbreakable, will always return to Thor’s hand, never misses its target and can shrink in size to fit into Thor’s shirt. That’s pretty handy. I can think of a few things I’d like to add that function to.

Completing his ensemble, you can find the husky Thor sporting a lovely set of thick iron gloves for handling the hammer, a chic belt named Megingjörð to make the other gods jealous (and who wouldn’t be jealous of a belt known to double your strength?), and some accounts have him wielding the Gríðarvölr staff from time to time.  For an old school kind of guy, he sure did like his accessories.

Thor’s popularity with the people grew as he succeeded his father, and unlike Odin did not require human sacrifices for favors. He surpassed his father in fame and devotion. He was the god of the working man –farmers, villagers, laborers and artisans, whereas Odin’s better known cult was generally made up of professional Viking raiders. Thor became a champion of the people, doing for the sheer purpose of doing. He was a good ol’ boy. Yee haw!

Known for his thundering storms, would it surprise you to find out that he is also linked to other things such as hallowing (to make this holy), healing and fertility? Yeah, I know. Not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of hunky Thor. But it comes down from an ancient belief that summer lightning ripens crops with a strong link of weather and the quality of the harvest. End result – Thor with all his weatherly abilities is viewed as a fertility god as well.

And hallowing? Well, we can thank his mom for that. His mother Jörd represented earth and thereby left Thor in the unique position to hallow the rune stones of the dead. That’s right. He was the defender of both the dead and the living. A real champion.

He was most popular in Norway and Iceland (mainly Celtic areas). So revered was he that temples were erected in his honor, the most popular at Uppsala. This at a time when most Norse or Celtic gods were worshiped in natural surroundings with modest markers in the ground. So having a temple built in your honor was a really big deal. They also named locations after him. Even today some of those places still bare his name. But it might surprise you to know that Thursday was named for him. Pretty cool don’t you think?

Thor’s temple remained standing until 1080 when it was replaced by a Christian church.  Some believe this Christianity movement may have worked to alter the final known stories of Odin and Thor. And before I continue… please don’t take anything as a knock on Christianity because it isn’t. I’m simply stating what some believe took place a very long time ago.

It’s been told that in the final epic battle during the events of Ragnarök, Thor had to step aside and battle a giant sea serpent. It was for this reason he couldn’t help his father, Odin. Although Thor ultimately defeated the sea serpent, he fell over dead from the poison it spit at him. And Odin ends up swallowed by a big bad wolf. This was the end of the gods.

But there are conflicting stories about the sea serpent. In another version, Thor defeats the serpent prior to the final battle of Ragnarök and survives.  Interesting that the story changed over time. Was it a Christian movement trying to give the gods a fitting fair well? A good ending for the warriors? Did they alter the story of Ragnarök so people would put their old gods to rest and follow the new Christian ways? It’s really quite amazing how different cultures and civilizations evolved throughout history.

But let’s bring things back to the topic at hand. No matter which stories you believe, Thor is a badass! No wonder Marvel Comics picked him up and started a comic book series about him. After all, he’s a big strong guy fighting for and protecting the little guys. Plus, he’s a bit of wanderer so his adventures take readers all over the place. Stories could be endless.

But Thor was also a family man. He married Sif, a beautiful golden haired goddess from Iceland, and together they had a daughter, Brúðr (meaning strength), herself a female goddess. Thor also fathered two sons. One with his lover, the giantess Járnsaxa, and the other with an unknown woman. They are Magni and Móði, meaning strong and angry, respectively.

So it would seem he took after his father, only to a lesser degree. He liked the pretty ladies and he couldn’t keep the package tucked away. What was up with all the bed hopping back then? Oh well.  A different time, I guess.

The recent Thor movie decided to leave out the family aspect, depicting a Thor in the pre-marriage years. Of course! That makes perfect marketing sense. What woman wants to go to the theater to rest their eyes on Chris Hemsworth only to find him married to some Iceland chick named Sif? I know my Monkey wouldn’t like it. Neither would most of us. They created an interesting interpretation of the nine worlds and the bridge between them. Were they setting up a story for Thor to become the wanderer? Or simply launching him into their next big blockbuster? I think we know the answer…

Yep – he’s coming back in May of 2012. The big guy will return to the big screen as part of The Avengers to save the world from Loki’s evil plans. I’m sure Monkey will be dragging me there. Will you be there, too?

In closing I have thrown up some wallpaper for your personal enjoyment. 🙂

Now that was a whole lot of Chris/Thor! I noticed that Thor is sporting a slightly longer hair style in the Avengers than he did in his solo gig. What do you think, thumbs up or down?

Did you find this week’s Immortal Monday fun and informative? Did you learn new and useless information that made you want to slam the hammer to the pavement? *wink*

Reminder: If you are an author with an immortal in one of your series and would like to share on an Immortal Monday in the future, feel free to contact me regarding a future guest post.

Related posts:

61 thoughts on “Immortal Monday ~ The God of Thunder * Badass Thor”

  1. JenniferJennifer

    Ooh, what a great guy to play Thor – thanks for my morning smile! And yes, keep going with the gods. I actually enjoyed this more than the other immortals.

    Reply
    November 28, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Glad you like the gods idea Jennifer! I want to mix it up and move around. Not be tied down to any one type of immortal. But I want to cover them in the way my readers will enjoy it without getting to long winded. Thanks for stopping in!

      Reply
      November 28, 2011
  2. Christine AshworthChristine Ashworth

    There are so many gods and goddesses in so many different cultures that you’ll run out of Mondays before you run out of immortals! Thanks for the yummy pics of Thor. I mean…sheesh…thanks for the fabulous information on Thor.

    Reply
    November 28, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      That’s a good thing! Although I always hope to bring something fun to the table. i.e. pictures and polls. Immortal Mondays should always be a fun stop. 😀

      This Thor is yummy isn’t he? Monkey sure thinks so!

      Reply
      November 28, 2011
  3. gingercalemgingercalem

    I’m going to return to this post a whole lotta times so I can learn … who am I kidding … I’ll be drooling over the pictures!! YUM! Fact: told my husband that if we were to have another baby (we are not–this was years ago) and it was a boy, his name would be Thor!

    Reply
    November 28, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Thor is a good strong name. I like it! I wanted to name our second child Logan after Wolverine but I was vetoed. 🙁 Stop by as often as you like! 😀

      Reply
      November 28, 2011
  4. MelindaMelinda

    Very nice, and I agree he’s totally yummy! Thanks for the info, and the pics 😉

    Reply
    November 28, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Thank you, Melinda. You are very welcome. Glad you like the eye candy. 🙂

      Reply
      November 28, 2011
  5. Diane Capri (@DianeCapri)Diane Capri (@DianeCapri)

    Thor, God of Thunder. That’s all I knew about him before now. See how woefully lacking my public school education was?? 🙂

    Reply
    November 28, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      How horrible is it that I don’t recall ever studying Thor in school. If we did I was probably too busy paying attention to my friends back then to remember. In college I never studied mythology, although I should have. Glad I could add to your well of knowledge.

      Reply
      November 28, 2011
  6. Fabio BuenoFabio Bueno

    Hi, Debra! When you mentioned your daughter, I remembered the 80’s movie “Adventures in Babysitting” with Elizabeth Shue, where the little girl adores Thor (and he comes to the rescue in the end).
    I was pleasantly surprised by the “Thor” movie. And it seems there’s a “Thor 2” in the works for 2013.

    Reply
    November 28, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      How funny! I had totally forgotten about the Thor reference in that movie. LOL She is missing her front teeth now and calls him Fhor. LOL

      Yes! Thor 2 recently got pushed back to November 2013 from its original July date because of The Lone Ranger. I wasn’t disappointed in Thor either. I go in just looking to be entertained so I am usually good.

      Reply
      November 28, 2011
  7. Karen McFarlandKaren McFarland

    I ditto Diane’s comment Debra. You’re quite knowledgeable about the mythological guy I can see. 🙂

    Reply
    November 28, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Thank you Karen. I thought I’d try something different for this Immortal Monday. Hope you liked it.

      Reply
      November 28, 2011
  8. Paige KellermanPaige Kellerman

    I love mythology! Anytime you wanna throw some info my way, I’m all ears. Enjoyed the post!

    Reply
    November 28, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      So glad you liked it Paige. I will be sure to sprinke a few more mythology posts in the mix going forward. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

      Reply
      November 28, 2011
  9. Tameri EthertonTameri Etherton

    Ah, Thor. Poor Monkey, she doesn’t realize that Thor is my boyfriend. Sorry.

    ; ) Love the Gods and Goddesses idea and look forward to more. I can’t wait for the Avengers movie, but I have a feeling Robert Downey Jr. is going to steal the show. Not that that’s a bad thing…

    Reply
    November 28, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Monkey jumps around. Today she told me of another she plans to marry and have children with. He chased us to the school fence calling her name as we left today. LOL Ah, young love.

      I don’t mind Robert Downey Jr. stealing the show either – not at all. Too bad he isn’t immortal. Maybe I’ll have to make an exception and cover him some time. Mmm Hmm

      Reply
      November 28, 2011
  10. Angela WallaceAngela Wallace

    I want to see Avengers, but I still have to see Captain America first. Then I think I will know who everyone is. I hope.

    Reply
    November 28, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      I think that is a wise decision. Captain America is out on DVD now so that should be an easy fix. You need to watch the tag at the end so that you are ready for the upcoming movie. Any other new comers I suspect they’ll properly introduce for those not up on their Marvel trivia.

      Reply
      November 28, 2011
  11. Sheila SeabrookSheila Seabrook

    The lesson on Thor was fantastic, Debra, because it’s been so long since I’ve read anything about these myths. And, of course, I can’t go away without mentioning the lovely pictures. Did someone say hunk? 🙂

    Reply
    November 28, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      I am glad you liked it Sheila. And the pictures, well – we can’t have Immortal Monday’s without something fine for the reader to enjoy.

      Reply
      November 28, 2011
  12. August McLaughlinAugust McLaughlin

    I can’t imagine any topic seeming tired on your blog, Debra… You too good a writer! Regardless, I find gods/goddesses fascinating. Bring it on. 😉 Thanks for the fun post!

    Reply
    November 28, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Thank you so much August! That is terribly sweet of you to say. I am glad you liked the post. Yay for Thor!

      Reply
      November 29, 2011
  13. August McLaughlinAugust McLaughlin

    Correction: YOU’RE too good a writer. (Nice place for a type-o! LOL!)

    Reply
    November 28, 2011
  14. Jennette Marie PowellJennette Marie Powell

    Lots of cool stuff I didn’t know- thanks for sharing! I did know about Thursday, but not much else. I definitely plan on seeing the Avengers – parts of it were shot in southern Ohio. The studio even solicited military peeps from the base where I work to serve as extras.

    Reply
    November 29, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      That’s pretty cool that they filmed part of it there and some of your peeps got to participate. That would be one very neat movie to be involved with. – Joss Whedon!

      Reply
      November 29, 2011
  15. Kristy K. James...Living, Loving, LaughingKristy K. James...Living, Loving, Laughing

    Loved the blog, loved the movie. Love the pictures more, lol. Chris Hemsworth is definitely a hunk…and a major draw at the theater (for me anyway). Of course when I was a kid I watched The Beastmaster, too…just to see Marc Singer in a loin cloth. I had a major crush on him back then…even cut his picture out of the TV Guide and put it in my little photo album.

    Back to Thor, though. I didn’t know any of the information you shared, but was glad to learn it. Yes, I will be parked in the theater for the second installment…and PLEASE let him keep the longer hair. What it is about a guy with long hair and a nicely trimmed beard? Yum! 🙂

    Reply
    November 29, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Oh my gosh! too funny Kristy. I watched Beastmaster too. Does anyone remember The Phoenix from the early 80’s? Watched that too. I’m such a die-hard geek.

      I guess we all know how you voted. 😀

      Reply
      November 29, 2011
      • Kristy K. James...Living, Loving, LaughingKristy K. James...Living, Loving, Laughing

        I’m not telling you how I voted. It’s a secret. LOL…yeah, right. I don’t remember that series. Just looked it up on IMDB and it sounds like something I would have enjoyed. Not sure how I missed it. Especially since I have a knack for liking shows that last a single season. :/

        Reply
        November 29, 2011
  16. LesannLesann

    Okay, I haven’t seen the new movie but we’ve got a bit of a thing for Thor in my family. So much so, that when my son came along, yep…Thor is his middle name. We’ve also had Tor and Thorkill in the family. Since my Husband is primarily Scandinavian, he was totally on board.

    He’s five so if Monkey decides the bigscreen version is a tad too old, there’s at least one closer to her age. 😉

    Reply
    November 29, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      That is so awesome that your son’s middle name is Thor! Way cool! I am also 50% Scandinavian coming from my father’s side so I am totally down with all things Thor. 😀

      I am sure as time goes by Monkey will decide the actor playing Thor is too old for her. She does seem to be in a wee bit of a rush for the alter. Not sure what that’s all about. She’s five! But she totally notices boys her age. So yours would definitely stand a chance. 🙂

      Reply
      November 29, 2011
  17. ElisaElisa

    This post is soooo awesome! And I totally agree, no matter what stories you’ve heard, he is a badass 🙂

    Nicely done!

    Reply
    November 29, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Thank you Elisa. He is, isn’t he! There is something about him that is just undeniably yummy.

      Reply
      November 29, 2011
  18. Lynn KelleyLynn Kelley

    What a cool post, Debra! I give a thumbs up for the longer hair! Ha-ha! I learned a lot from your post. I think Thor is one of the favorite gods in mythology. I love it that your daughter is in love with him! And what a cute alias for your daughter, Monkey! There seem to be a lot of dogs named after Thor!

    Reply
    November 29, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Thanks Lynn. You have no idea how well that alias fits her. LOL Thor is a good strong name. Maybe that’s why people name their dogs after him. They want everyone to thing their dog is someone to be reckoned with too. Hehe

      Reply
      November 30, 2011
    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Thank you so much Miss Myndi. *grins in reply* I agree, Thor looks good from all angles.

      Reply
      November 30, 2011
  19. Angela Orlowski-PeartAngela Orlowski-Peart

    I will definitely watch The Avengers 🙂 I enjoyed Thor since I am a mythology nut. Thank you for this fabulous post — I love love love reading about Norse gods!

    Reply
    November 29, 2011
  20. Debra KristiDebra Kristi

    You are most welcome Angela! I’ll be there with you. But will you be sitting in the comfort of your fabulous home theater system or will you hit the theater for this one? I’ll be at the local Muvico with my reserved seat. 😀

    Reply
    November 30, 2011
  21. Lena CorazonLena Corazon

    Okay, I absolutely love how much information you’ve included here about Thor. I was familiar with a few of the details from the original myth, but not the full story, so thank you for that.

    And ohhhhh, Chris Hemsworth. I am so horribly in love with him, and he’s totally not my type, but wow. Wow. I drooled the whole way through the film, which wasn’t the best thing I had ever seen, but was definitely saved by his smile and sparkling eyes and… Yeah. Lovely photo montage, and I vote for the longer hair. 😀

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Hi Lean! Glad you liked all the information you found here. Thor was fun to cover. Although it could be I’m bias because of my heritage. But when we cover a particular immortal on Immortal Monday we do like to examine his (or her) dream quality and include ample pictures. 🙂 I even managed to get a few in when I talked about New Orleans this week. He he

  1. Immortal Monday Fails the Holy Grail | Debra Kristi's Blog
  2. Immortal Monday ★ He Who Must Not Be Named ★ Guest Post by Jessica O’Neal | Debra Kristi's Blog
  3. Immortal Monday ღ Angle vs. Spike: The Immortal Men of Buffy | Debra Kristi's Blog
  4. Immortal Monday ☆Anne Rice’s New Orleans | Debra Kristi's Blog
  5. Immortal Monday ~ Seelie or Unseelie ღ Death-By-Sex Fae | Debra Kristi's Blog
  6. Immortal Monday ~ Edward Cullen * Sparkling Prince or Creepy Stalker? | Debra Kristi's Blog
  7. The Immortals are Coming! | Debra Kristi's Blog
  8. Immortal Monday ~ Poseidon – Not The Hollywood Version | Debra Kristi's Blog
  9. A Ghost, A Werewolf, A Vampire and Immortal Monday | Debra Kristi's Blog
  10. The Great Pyramid of Giza Visits Immortal Monday | Debra Kristi's Blog
  11. Immortal Monday on the Epirus Bow and Mount Tartarus | Debra Kristi's Blog
  12. Marvel Superheroes and MANday Covers? Your Help is Needed | Debra Kristi's Blog
  13. The Norse God Loki – Immortal Monday | Debra Kristi's Blog
  14. A Legend and A Werebeast Makes an Immortal Monday | Debra Kristi's Blog
  15. That Bad Habit of Mine | Debra Kristi's Blog
  16. The Big Kahuna – Odin, Father to the Gods : Immortal Monday | Debra Kristi's Blog
  17. T is for Travel, Texas, and Thor! | Debra Kristi's Blog
  18. Lady Sif, the Two: Immortal Monday | Debra Kristi

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badge