tyr
Appeal:
Judge, Military, Law, Honor, Martial Arts, War, Gym, Police
Tyr
(t, Tiwaz, Teiva, Ziu) is
the God of oaths, justice, law, courage and warfare in Germanic Mythology,
portrayed as a one handed man. Tyr
actually pre-dates Odin in archeology finds and was thought to be the original
All-Father of Gods and men, dating back to 600 BC. He was the 'Sky-Father' and the original
chief God, who was later overtaken in authority and power by Odin, when Odin
discovered the runes. But he appears in
the Prose Edda as the son of Odin or as Hymir's child in the Poetic Edda.
Although
he appears to have no special dwelling, he is always welcome in Valhalla, and
occupies one of the twelve thrones in the great council hall. He is renowned for his great wisdom and is
unrivalled in his sense of duty and honor.
Many ancient Nordic tribes sacrificed to him for victory in battle, yielding
the first spoils, captives and the weaponry taken in the conflict. His attribute is a spear; the symbol of justice,
as well as a weapon.
Tyr
cared for the pup Fenrir when no one else could train him. Tyr was the only one willing to feed Fenrir
and trust him. But Fenrir had been
causing all kinds of destruction and damage.
In
one story, the Gods decided to shackle the growing wolf Fenrir, but the beast
broke every chain they put upon him. Eventually
they had the dwarfs make them a magical ribbon Gleipnir. But Fenrir sensed the Gods' deceit and
refused to be bound with it unless one of them put his hand in the wolf's
mouth. None, save Tyr, had the courage
for such unflinching self sacrifice.
After
Fenrir had been bound by the Gods, he struggled to try to break the rope. Fenrir could not break the ribbon and
enraged, bit Tyr's right hand off. When
the Gods saw that Fenrir was bound they all rejoiced, except Tyr. Fenrir remains bound until the day of Ragnarok.
It
puts a new meaning to, 'don't bite the hand that feeds you'. The wrist became known as the 'wolf
joint' and Tyr picks up the name of 'Wolf Leavings'. A symbol of one's honor (the handshake) needs
to be sacrificed for true honor.
During
Ragnarok, Tyr is destined to kill and be killed by Garm, the guard dog of
Helheim.
Although
representations of Tyr are less common than those of Thor, Odin or Loki - Tyr
is often referenced or appears as a warrior figure in many modern depictions,
particularly those relating to high fantasy, usually most identifiable by his
missing arm and lust for battle.
Tyr is associated with two holidays, Imbolc
and Lammas. Both are events, in which
the people can ask that the law be exercised on their behalf. Imbolc is the time of swearing of oaths. Lammas is the annual time of making treaties,
marriages and was the time for trials.
The
name Tuesday derives from the
Old English "Tiwesdaeg" and literally means "Tiw's Day". Tiw is the Old English form of the
Proto-Germanic god Tiwaz, or
Tyr in Norse, a God of war and law.
The Teiwaz t-rune ᛏ is named after Tyr,
justice, honor and was identified with this God. The rune is phallic in shape and contains the
embodiment of masculine energy, which resides in both men and women. Like the warrior God Tyr, the Teiwaz rune
represents inner strength, morality and honor.
Remember, the truth will always be victorious in the end.
I
ask thee, Lord of Justice, to bring forth Justice. Take action against the one who betrayed us,
who broke oaths sworn to us. We acted
with honor, and were met with dishonor. I
ask you, Lord Tyr, grant us justice, so that others may not be brought down or
brought harm because of me. Hail unto
Tyr, God of Justice.
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