Thor is the Norse god traditionally associated with thunder and the hammer Mjölnir.
In Norse mythology, Thor is the son of Odin and the earth goddess Jörð. He is portrayed as a powerful protector of gods and humans, especially against giants and other supernatural threats. His main weapon, Mjölnir, returns to his hand after being thrown and is also linked with lightning, protection and the ceremonial blessing of marriages.
Thor was especially popular among ordinary people in the Viking Age. Archaeologists have found many hammer-shaped pendants, commonly interpreted as amulets representing Mjölnir. These may have served as visible symbols of Norse identity during the spread of Christianity in Scandinavia.
Thor is sometimes confused with Odin because both are major Norse gods, but their roles differ. Odin is associated with wisdom, poetry and war, while Thor is chiefly the defender of the divine and human worlds. The weekday Thursday derives from Thor’s name.