If you feel a little lost in the many tales of the Norse gods and who might be related to whom, you are not alone. Find out more by reading on. In Norse mythology, are Thor and Loki brothers?
Thor and Loki are not related. Thor is the son of Odin and Frigg (also called Jord, which means Earth), while Loki is the son of the giants Farbauti and Laufey. Loki was born among the Jotun, who are the enemies of the gods, yet Loki is regarded as the blood brother of Odin and counted among the Aesir gods of Asgard. Loki is known as the god of mischief and is wickedly clever and conniving. Thor, on the other hand, is the god of thunder. He is straightforward, strong, and brave. Loki and Thor often cross paths and fight together against monsters, or on opposite sides because of Loki’s trickery.
What Are Thor And Loki’s Family Trees?
Odin is the all-father and oldest god in Norse mythology. He is the god of wisdom and magic, of war and death. Odin and Frigg, the goddess of love and marriage, together had Thor and Balder. Thor was a great warrior, the god of thunder and good-natured. Thor is married to Sif, with whom he has Thrud the Powerful, his only daughter. However, Thor has two sons from his previous marriage to Jarnsaxa (meaning Ironstone) called Magni the Strong and Modi the Angry. Thor also has a stepson called Ullr, a god known for hunting and archery.
Loki is the trickster god and son of Laufey, a beautiful giantess and Farbauti, a much-feared giant. Loki also has a giant brother called Byleist, but as the giants live in Jotunheim and Loki lives in Asgard, he spends more time with his blood brother Odin and befriends the other gods. Loki is likable, envious, and charming. Loki had two wives; and ogress called Angrboda, and his Asgardian wife, Sigyn. Loki had three monstrous children; Jormungand, the Midgard Serpent encircling the world, Hel, a goddess of death and ruler of the underworld, and finally Fenrir; a giant wolf; the bringer of Ragnarok and the killer of Odin.
What Is The Relationship Like Between Thor And Loki?
Loki is both Thor’s friend and betrayer. There are many stories of Thor and Loki going on quests together to fight monsters or bring back lost items for other gods, and it is evident that Loki and Thor accomplish each other well with their various skills. Loki being cunning, charming, and wicked while Thor is immensely strong, honest and proud.
It is due to Loki that Thor received his hammer, Mjolnir, as he accompanied Thor to Jotunheim, the home of the Ice Giants. However, Loki is also the reason why Siv, Thor’s beautiful wife known for her long golden hair, lost her hair and Loki tricked Thor many times while on quests. Ultimately, Loki went too far and was the cause of Thor’s brother, Balder, dying and Odin was killed by Loki’s offspring, Fenrir during Ragnarok.
Final Thoughts
So that’s all we really have to say on the topic of Thor and Loki. These two are arguably the most important characters in the Norse myths and pop up repeatedly. Their relationship in popular culture is, however, quite different and hopefully we clear up a little of the difference between that and their relationship in the Norse myths.
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Thursday = Thor’s Day. Wednesday = Oden’s Day. They spelled his name Woden in the olden days. Friday = Frigg’s Day. Or Frigga’s. She’s married to Oden. Saturn Day, Sun Day, and Moon Day. Tuesday = Tew’s Day. Or Tewes’ Day. He’s the Vikings’ version of Mars. That’s why Mardi Gras = Fat Tuesday. I learned the last two only recently. “Why isn’t that common knowledge,” I wondered. Even in, for example, the honors classes of every high school or equivalent, everywhere religious practice is legal, everyone – except for me, of course – believes that whichever religion their family happens to believe is obviously the truth, and that every other is somewhere between obviously not the truth and one of the most ridiculous things they’ve ever heard. They’ve learned not to say the last part out loud in public, though, to try to keep the hate and the murder rate down a little. They all go along to get along, in a weak, cowardly, and, above everything, always, dishonest, way. But, because everyone does that, it seems perfectly normal.