3 Famous Weapons Found in Norse Mythology

Like many civilizations of bygone times, the Norse led challenging lives. They found strength, inspiration, and meaning in their myths. Many Norse mythological exploits became so legendary that we still know them today.

Often, Norse deities wielded trusty weapons to conquer foes and bless good people. Norse ancestors were believed to receive sacred weapons imbued with powers beyond a mortal blacksmith’s ability. Take a closer look at three famous weapons found in Norse mythology.

1. Gram: Sigurd’s Sword

According to legend, the sword called Gram belonged to a descendant of the god Odin, a man named Sigurd. Sigurd’s father, King Sigmund, died on the battlefield before Sigurd was born. After Sigmund’s death, Sigurd was raised by the blacksmith, Regin.

Regin challenged Sigurd to kill Regin’s brother Fáfnir, who had become a dragon through a curse. Sigurd agreed to the task but needed a worthy weapon. Regin forged many swords, but each of them broke when Sigurd tested them on an anvil.

Finally, Sigurd brought the pieces of his father’s broken sword to Regin. And with those shards, Regin forged Gram, a sword so strong that it split the anvil all the way through.

Sigurd used Gram to kill the dragon Fáfnir. Afterward, Regin instructed Sigurd to cook the dragon’s heart so that Regin could eat it. During the roasting, Sigurd tasted the blood and learned that Regin planned to kill him. To avoid death, Sigurd cut off Regin’s head with Gram, the sword the skilled blacksmith forged.

2. Mjölnir: Thor’s Hammer

The thunder god Thor owned the mighty hammer Mjölnir. In this myth, the god Loki tricked dwarves into forging Mjölnir, and then he gave the hammer to Thor. The hammer had a short handle, so Thor wielded it with one hand. He used it to protect people and gods from enemies such as giants.

With the modern popularity of Thor as a superhero, this hammer is well-known to many people today. And it was a popular mythological weapon to the Norse people, too. They wore Mjölnir pendants, and even now, a pendant of Thor’s hammer is one of the best gifts you can give a Viking enthusiast.

3. Gungnir: Odin’s Spear

The god Odin was associated with many things, including wisdom, healing, death, and runes, the “letters” of the runic alphabet. In this final myth, Odin once sacrificed himself to read runes carved in the tree of life’s bark. He was reborn, and his understanding of the runes made him one of the most powerful beings in the cosmos.

Odin possessed one of the most famous weapons found in Norse mythology, a spear named Gungnir. Dwarves created the spear and carved the tip with runes. They made it perfectly so that it would always hit its target. The Prose Edda, a Norse book, states that Odin will lead an army into battle at Ragnarök wearing a gold helmet and carrying Gungnir.