He defended the Aesir from their natural enemies, the giants. Thor was married to Sif, and travelled in a charriot pulled by goats. He refused to travel over the rainbow bridge Bifrost because he believes that his heavy tread and lightning bolts will destroy the bridge.

Thor is the Norse god of thunder. He is of the race of the Aesir, is the son of Odin and Jord and one of the most powerful gods. He is married to Sif, a fertility goddess. His mistress is the giantess Jarnsaxa ("iron cutlass"), and their sons are Magni and Modi and his daughter is Thrud. Thor is helped by Thialfi; his servant and the messenger of the gods.

Thor was usually portrayed as a large, powerful man with a red beard and eyes of lightning. He was the protector of both gods and humans against the forces of evil. He defended the gods from their natural enemies, the giants.

The Norse believed that during a thunderstorm, Thor was riding through the heavens on his chariot pulled by the goats Tanngrisni ("gap-tooth") and Tanngnost ("tooth grinder"). Lightning flashed whenever he threw his hammer Mjollnir. Thor wears the belt Megingjard which doubles his already considerable strength. His hall is Bilskirnir, which is located in the region Thrudheim ("place of might"). His greatest enemy is Jormungand, the Midgard Serpent. On the day of Ragnarok, Thor will kill this serpent but will die from its poison. His sons Magni and Modi will inherit his hammer after his death.

The day of the week Thursday is named after him.

Also known as: Donnar, Donar, Tor

See Also: Geirrod