Thor is one of the most well-known gods in Norse mythology. He was the god of thunder and lightning, strength, and protection. Thor is famously depicted as a powerful, red-haired and bearded deity wielding his magic hammer Mjölnir. However, there has been some debate around whether Thor was actually blonde in Norse mythology or if this is a more modern representation.
In this article, we will examine the textual and archaeological evidence surrounding Thor’s physical appearance and the origins of his blonde hair depiction. We will analyze Norse myths, poems, iconography and popular culture to unravel this mythological mystery. Understanding Thor’s intended coloring not only satisfies curiosity but also provides insights into ancient Norse religious beliefs and values.
What the Eddas Say About Thor’s Appearance
The Poetic Edda and Prose Edda are the main sources of Norse mythology that have survived into the modern era. These medieval Icelandic texts were compiled in the 13th century from older oral traditions and contain references to Thor’s physical attributes.
In the Prose Edda book Gylfaginning, Thor is described as follows:
“Thor is the foremost of them and the strongest. He rules over the realm that is called Thor’s Domain and his mansion is called Bilskirnir. There are five hundred and forty rooms in it, and it is the biggest house built by gods and men.”
This passage establishes Thor as the mightiest of the Norse gods. However, it does not directly reference his hair color.
The Prose Edda later states:
“Thor has two he-goats called Tooth Gnasher and Tooth Grinder… He also has three choice possessions. One is the hammer Mjollnir, which the frost giants and mountain giants recognize when it is raised in the air, and that is no wonder: it has cracked many a skull among their fathers and kindred.”
Again, no clear hair color is assigned to Thor here. But we learn of his iconic weapon Mjollnir and divine goats which pull his chariot.
In the Poetic Edda poem Hárbarðsljóð, Thor encounters the ferryman Harbard on the shore. Harbard insults Thor, at one point calling him a “red-bearded vagrant”. This provides a textual clue that Thor had red hair and a red beard in Old Norse myth and poetry.
Clues from Archaeological Finds and Art
Since textual clues are sparse, examining archeological artifacts and iconography related to Thor can provide further context. Several notable finds shed light on how Norse and Germanic people may have visualized Thor during the Viking Age and medieval periods:
Pendants and Amulets:
| Artifact | Date | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Mjölnir pendant | 10th century AD | Sweden | Shows Thor’s hammer Mjölnir |
| Lead alloy Mjölnir amulet | 11th century AD | Denmark | Inscribed with “Hmar x is”, meaning “This is Thor’s hammer” |
These personal ornaments invoke Thor’s hammer for protection. But they do not depict the god himself.
Picture stones:
Carved picture stones from Sweden show Norse deities and myths. The 11th century Altuna stone has been interpreted as showing a red-haired Thor fishing for the Midgard Serpent. However, there is debate around whether this is actually Thor or another figure.
Statues:
A small bronze statue dating from around 1000 AD found at Eyrarland in Iceland shows a warrior holding a hammer. It is thought to be a depiction of Thor. The statue shows red paint remains, indicating the figure originally had red hair.
When and Why Did Thor Become Blonde?
Despite limited early textual and archaeological clues pointing to Thor as red-haired, he is overwhelmingly portrayed as blonde today. When and why did this change occur?
Medieval Manuscripts
The first known depiction of Thor with blonde hair appears in the Icelandic painter Ólafur Brynjúlfsson’s illustration in the late 15th century Snorra-Edda manuscript. This work shows a blonde Thor wielding Mjölnir amidst the Norse cosmos.
As manuscript illustrations gained prominence in the medieval period, portrayals of Thor as a blonde warrior grew. The Danish Historiska Museet has a 16th century illumination showing Thor with golden hair. These early modern depictions set the stage for blonde to become Thor’s default hair color.
Comics and Popular Culture
Thor truly became cemented as blonde in popular imagination through American comic books and films. In 1962, Marvel’s Journey into Mystery series debuted Thor as a muscular, blonde superhero. This enormously influential Marvel version drew from Norse myth but took liberties with Thor’s appearance and story for modern audiences.
Marvel’s blonde superhero Thor entered mainstream pop culture through bestselling comics, animated TV shows and blockbuster Hollywood movies. Other modern depictions of Thor across video games, toys and cartoons followed Marvel’s lead. This has reinforced the god’s blonde look today.
Why Blonde?
So why did Thor become blonde? There are a few possible explanations:
- In medieval manuscripts, blonde hair was used to denote powerful heroic or divine figures.
- Modern stereotypes and ideals around blonde hair as attractive and masculine.
- Echoes of ancient Norse reverence for blonde hair as rare and special.
- Marvel designed Thor to resemble blonde warrior heroes like Hercules.
While Norse texts paint a red-haired Thor, popular media and imagination morphed the god into a blonde paragon of strength.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Norse mythology originally described Thor with red hair and a beard, he is now almost universally depicted as blonde. Textual clues point to ancient reverence for Thor as a fierce red-headed deity. But beginning in medieval manuscripts and accelerating through modern pop culture, Thor became fixed as a handsome blonde warrior. This reveals how culture and media can reshape even ancient mythic figures over time. While blonde Thor endures today, digging into history unveils his mythic ginger roots.