Domains
War, justice, legal contracts, order, courage
Æsir
Týr
God of war, justice, and law
Týr is the Norse god of war and justice — the embodiment of righteous, ordered conflict. His most celebrated myth is his sacrifice of his right hand to bind the monstrous wolf Fenrir. When the gods needed to restrain Fenrir, Fenrir demanded a hostage. Týr alone was willing to place his hand in the wolf's mouth as a pledge, knowing the gods intended to bind Fenrir permanently. When Fenrir found he could not break free, he bit off Týr's hand.
Lineage
Accounts vary; in some traditions son of Odin, in others son of the giant Hymir.
Symbols
- Single hand (left)
- Sword
- Scales of justice
Core Myths
- Sacrificed his right hand to bind Fenrir with the magical ribbon Gleipnir, knowing he would lose it.
- Associated with the Thing — the Norse assembly of law — where his counsel was sought.
- Fought and killed the giant Garm (the hound of Hel) at Ragnarök, but was killed by Garm in the exchange.
Role & Significance
- Represents the principle that justice sometimes demands personal sacrifice.
- Associated with the proper conduct of war — honourable battle rather than mere slaughter.
- His name gives the word for Tuesday (Tiwaz-day / Tyr's day) in Germanic languages.
Interpretive Themes
Justice
Sacrifice for the greater good
Honourable war
Courage before inevitable cost
Tribe / Affiliation
Æsir