Tyr

Germanic deity

Also known as: Týr, Tiu, Tiw

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Article History

Old Norse:: Týr

Old English:: Tiw, or Tiu

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Tyr, one of the oldest gods of the Germanic peoples and a somewhat enigmatic figure. He was apparently the god concerned with the formalities of war—especially treaties—and also, appropriately, of justice. It is in his character as guarantor of contracts, guardian of oaths, that the most famous myth about him may be understood: as a guarantee of good faith, he placed his hand between the jaws of the monstrous wolf Fenrir while the gods, pretending sport but intending a trap, bound the wolf; when Fenrir realized he had been tricked he bit off Tyr’s hand (hence Tyr’s identification as the one-handed god). Tyr came to be identified by the Romans with their own Mars, hence dies Marti (Mars’ Day) came to be rendered Týsdagr (Tuesday).

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.