Meaning of Mjölnir Pendants
Swords, axes, bows,… the gods of Norse mythology mostly have their own deadly weapon.Thor, the god of thunder, wears ahammer named Mjölnir.
Each of the attributes of the Norse gods has real meaning and plays a role in mythology. The hammer Mjölnir is undoubtedlythe most powerful of them, and is still worn today in the formamulet, as the vikings were able to do at the time.
What is Mjölnir?
Mjölnir, pronounced Miol-nir, is the precioushammer of the god Thorin Norse mythology. In Old Norse, its name can mean "thelightning". The powerful weapon grants Thor immense power, as once thrown, itautomatically returns to its thrower's hand.
And this despite its major flaw: thehandle size. Because of its smallness, Thor is forced to wield his weapon with one hand.
For this, it is also obligatory for the Nordic god to wear hismagic iron gloves, otherwise it would be impossible for him to lift the hammer. In the Snorri Edda it is written that Thor"could hit anything as hard as he wanted without the hammer being damaged, that he would never miss the target against which he threw it, but that the hammer would never fly so far that it had to return to his hand; and also that, if he wanted, he would make himself so small that he could fit it in his blouse.”
Who created Thor's hammer?
It is in Snorri's Edda that we learnhow the hammer Mjölnir was created.
The story begins when the deceitful godLokicuts the hair of the lovely Sif, Thor's wife. When the latter hears the news,he threatens Lokiwho then suggests that he go and get Sif new hair, made of gold, from the dwarves. Once the idea is approved by Thor, Loki goes to the two brothersBrokk and Eitri. The two dwarves make Sif's golden hair, the Skidbladnir boat and Odin's Gungnir spear. But that's not all.
Loki bets with the two dwarves that it would be impossible for them tomake something even more valuable. Brokk activates the bellows and Eitri goes to the forge. But far from wanting to lose his bet, Loki transforms into a fly and distracts Brokk, who continues to operate the bellows all the same. The dwarves then take out of the forge a boar with golden bristles, then the golden ring Draupnir.
During the manufacture of the third and last object, Loki, still on the spot, comes to sting Brokk until he bleeds between the two eyes. The dwarf stops operating the bellows for a few moments. And when the two brotherstake the hammer Mjölnir out of the furnace, herhandle is much smaller than expected.
Whatever. Brokk heads to the kingdom of the Gods so that the Aesir can choose which objects are the most precious. He offers the hammer Mjölnir to Thor, and it is this weapon which, in the eyes of the Gods, is indeed the most fabulous.
What is the meaning of Mjölnir pendants?
True symbol ofpower, the hammer Mjölnirworn as a pendant. And it is the neopagans who are among the first to do so, according to archaeological discoveries.
Mjölnir: symbol of blessing
Thor's hammer, in Norse mythology,serves as both a weapon and tools ceremonial. It is used during blessings ofbirths, ofweddingsor evenfuneral.
Mjölnir: symbol of protection
In this sense, a Mjölnir pendant is seen as a reallucky charm, a symbol ofprotection against evil forces. The Vikings also had the habit of carrying the hammer Mjölnir on an amulet during their battles.
Mjölnir: religious symbol of pagans versus Christians
During Christianization, the Viking peoples and the neopaganscarried a Mjölnir hammer in reaction to the development of Christianity. If the Christian sign is indeed the cross, the hammer Mjölnir forms an inverted cross.
Nice way for the vikings and pagans to differentiate themselves from those who tried to destroy their culture and eexpress their loyalty to the religion of their ancestors. Today, the hammer Mjölnir can therefore be thesymbol of neo-paganism faith.
Why wear a Mjölnir pendant today?
If the pagans wore this symbol as a pendant as a sign of religious symbol, today it is possible to wear this type of pendantout of love for Scandinavia. Or in any case when we feel linked, by blood or by feelings, to its culture.
Wearing a Mjölnir pendant can also besymbol of fight against evil forcesand therefore, in a more modern way, against social disruption. Among the military, this type of pendant is very popular, and for good reason: the amulet supports the strength of the wearer andhelp in all complicated situationsto cross.
So if you need a little help, a littlestrengthand ofcourage, is good theMjölnir hammer that must be worn around the neck.
In the same theme, you can find thewolf necklaces.
