Mjolnir Facts for Kids

Thor using the hammer Mjolnir.

Modern Mjöllnir

In Norse mythology, Mjölnir is the famous hammer of Thor. Thor is known as the god of thunder and lightning. The name Mjölnir comes from the Old Norse word Mjǫllnir, which means "Lightning" or "That which smashes."

This powerful hammer was made by two dwarf brothers, Brokkr and Eitri. Mjölnir was the most feared weapon in all the Nine Realms. It was so strong it could flatten whole mountains with just one hit! People also saw Mjölnir as a sign of new life and growth, as well as great power. Some even believed it had special powers to heal.

One of the coolest things about Mjölnir was that it always came back to Thor. No matter how far he threw it, the hammer would always return to his hand after hitting its target.

"... He [Thor] would be able to strike as firmly as he wanted, whatever his aim, and the hammer would never fail, and if he threw it at something, it would never miss and never fly so far from his hand that it would not find its way back, and when he wanted, it would be so small that it could be carried inside his tunic."

What does Mjölnir mean?

The name Mjölnir has been spelled in different ways over time and in different languages. Here are some common spellings:

In Danish: Mjølner
In Faroese: Mjølnir
In Icelandic: Mjölnir
In German: Mjölnir
In Norwegian: Mjølner
In Swedish: Mjölner
In Finnish: Mjölner

Images for kids

A silver-gilded Thor's hammer found in Scania, Sweden.
One side of the Kvinneby amulet.
Ah, what a lovely maid it is! (1902) by Elmer Boyd Smith. Thor is dressed as the goddess Freyja.
Þjálfi and Röskva are scared as Thor and Loki meet the giant Skrymir (1902) by Elmer Boyd Smith.
The third gift — an enormous hammer (1902) by Elmer Boyd Smith.
A bronze statue of a seated figure from about AD 1000, found in Akureyri, Iceland.
An early 20th century Danish bicycle head badge showing Thor holding Mjölnir.
In this 2009 gathering, Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson wears a copy of a hammer pendant found in Foss, Iceland.
A drawing of a gold-plated silver Mjölnir pendant found at Bredsätra on Öland, Sweden.
A drawing of a silver Thor's hammer amulet found in Fitjar, Hordaland, Norway.
A drawing of a Thor's hammer amulet from Mandemark, Møn, Denmark.
A drawing of a silver-gilded Thor's hammer found in Scania, Sweden.
A photograph of a hammer from Rømersdal, Bornholm, Denmark, from around 790-1100 CE.
A runestone from Södermanland, Sweden, showing Thor's hammer.
The Altuna stone from Sweden, showing Thor's fishing trip.
A close-up of Thor with Mjölnir on the Altuna stone.
The Gosforth depiction, one of the stones showing Thor's fishing trip.

Mjolnir facts for kids

What does Mjölnir mean?

Images for kids

See also