Thor with his Hammer, Mjöllnir, and his Empowering Belt

This illustration of Thor is present in the manuscript Melsteðs-Edda. This source is dated from the mid-18th century and includes Edic poems and the prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson, as well as 23 illustrations inspired by Norse myths. Thor is referred to by Snorri Sturlusson as the son of Odin and Jörd, who is said to represent the land, but about whom almost nothing is known. Among his attributes, Thor possesses three magical objects. The first is a belt, shown here inscribed with runes, that increases his strength tenfold, the second is a pair of iron gauntlets that he uses to seize the third object, his hammer, Mjölnir, which Snorri says is well known among giants for having smashed many skulls of their race.