Norse mythology is full of captivating stories and has many characters, most of whom are deities with incredible powers. One of the stories belonging to this era that the world knows best, It is related to the mythical spear of the god Odin.
It is a weapon -magical and at the same time powerful- which represents the symbol of strength of the main Norse god. For this reason, writers from different eras have recounted, throughout the centuries, several outstanding aspects of this mythical spear and its bearer.
Even though Norse mythology is characterized by little information on the origin of its main deities, the reverse happens with the objects they carried. As is the case with the mythical spear of the god Odin, about which there is a lot of information, which will surely be very interesting to you.
How did the god Odin get his mythical spear?
Considering what is tells in the “Poetic Edda”, Loki he had played a joke on her to Thor’s wife, who ended up ruining her precious golden hair. Following this misadventure, he undertook a long journey to Svartálfaheim, one of the nine worlds that make up the cosmos. Snorri Sturluson.
Once Loki encountered the Children of Ivaldi, asked her to create a magical golden hair. With this he could reward the damage done to Sif, Thor’s wife. be in workshop of these workmen, fixed his attention on a prodigious spearand did not hesitate to ask the dwarves.
Faced with this singular request, the Children of Ivaldi did not hesitate to accept and it was given as a gift to the gods. This is how this precious object fell into the hands of the god Odin, to become the mythical spear with which he would carry out heroic battles.
Characteristics of the mythical spear of Odin
As the leader of mighty gods, it’s no surprise that Odin’s weapon is powerful and extremely lethal.
It is also recognized with the name of Gunnir, a word that means “violent shaking or shaking». Some authors named the mythical spear of the god Odin so, because of the effect it produced when it was thrown and hit its target.
Balance was an essential element of this powerful mythological weapon, so much so that it always hit the mark every time Odin used it in battle. The effectiveness of the mythical spear has been modernly compared to a missile directed by a laser beam, since it has never failed.
Regarding the characteristics of Gungnir, phil copens commented once: “This is clearly a high-tech weapon and not a primitive artifact. Even today, this type of weapon exists and is regularly used in wars.
David Childress, author of the book Technology of the Gods believes that “Gungnir was a kind of high-tech weapon. It always hits the target, like a laser-guided missile or something, that doesn’t miss once it’s programmed.”
Tested in memorable attacks!
Being the symbol of strength of the God Odin, it is logical to think that the mythical spear was used by its bearer in memorable attacks. Precisely in the Prose Edda it is highlighted how it would be used in the last battle of the gods called Ragnarok.
During Ragnarök, Odin wears a golden helmet and rides wearing Gungnir.
In a very detailed description of the events of this important battle, Odin appears on his horse. you will be can be seen wearing an elegant chainmail cape, as well as an imposing golden helmet and carrying the mythical spear in his hand.
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The Norse Supreme God, had to face in a fierce battle a descendant of Loki, the monstrous wolf named Fenrir. As usual, Odin started the battle by throwing his mythical spear at the enemies.
But, throwing his powerful and magical weapon wouldn’t be enough to win this time, good ragnarok It would mean the end for him. Yes, Fenrir the gigantic wolf son of Loki would eventually kill him, only to be avenged later by one of his sons, Vidarr.
The symbolic meaning of throwing the mythical spear of Odin
The different stories that tell the events of Norse mythology and the legendary spear of the god Odin, refer to the fact that the first thing the Norse deity did was to throw his spear. Over time, this action acquired a symbolic purpose for the future Viking warriors who dominated much of Europe.
Likewise, worshipers of the god Odin used to throw a spear at their enemies, then they prayed to him and began the battle. Recreating this action was like a kind of dedication that the Vikings made on the battlefield, in honor of their main deity.
For Norse mythology, Gungnir remains the most important and perhaps the most powerful mythical weapon. That’s because she never misses her mark, she can pierce anything imaginable and anything sworn to her…will happen. Even today, this mythical spear continues to symbolize Odin’s authority and testifies to the richness of Norse culture and symbolism.
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