To clarify, I refer to the same god throughout this piece, whether using the names Thor, Thunnor, or Donner.
It is almost established that by approximately 1800 BCE, in Neolithic Scandinavia, there existed a cult likely dedicated to what we would now call the Vanir gods. Evidence for this can be seen in ancient rock carvings, such as those at Tanum, depicting a society centered on cattle-raising and fishing rather than warfare. Another archeological site, Järrestad, features an image often referred to as the “Dancing Thor,” showing a figure holding an axe, which some studies suggest may be a precursor to Mjölnir.
Georges Dumézil’s “Three Functions” hypothesis, widely accepted within the field, categorizes Thor within the second function, that of war. In the Eddas, he is depicted as a fierce combatant against the Jotnar (giants) and on two occasions, facing the Midgard Serpent. In contrast, the first function is primarily occupied by Wodenaz and Tywas, while Njord, Freyr, and Freyja represent the third function, focused on productivity and the enjoyment of its fruits.
To clarify, this inquiry does not question Dumézil’s conclusions but rather explores the origins of Thor as a possible earth-centered protector figure. If we accept the idea that the carvings at Järrestad depict a proto-Thor, we could support the notion that Thor may originally have belonged to the Vanir with the following points:
Thor, Indra, and the Thunder Gods
Thor and Jupiter share associations with thunder and the oak tree, a tree known to attract lightning. Both Thor and Indra wield thunderbolts, and they are described as red-haired and fond of drink. Bernárdez states in Germanic Myths: “Indra was initially the most important, though he later took on a more warrior-like role. A similar transition might have happened with Thor, who originally, like Indra, was an atmospheric god—part of the solar cult that likely dominated in the Bronze Age and early Germanic times. Perhaps Punoraz (Thunor) is this figure armed with a great axe depicted in many Scandinavian carvings.”
The similarities do not end there. The Slavic god Perun, also a red-mustached figure wielding a hammer or axe, shares associations with goats and thunder. In fact, “Swedish Vikings in Russia (Varangians) saw Perun as equivalent to Thor, even building a Thor/Perun temple in Kyiv.” Similarly, the Lithuanian Perkūnas, the Latvian Pērkons, and the Saami Horagalles share these associations. The Saami name, derived from the Scandinavian term meaning “Old Thor” or “Good Thor,” suggests that they may have venerated the same archetypal figure.
Among the Celts, we find parallels in Sucellus in Gaul, who also wields a hammer and is connected to the oak tree, as well as Taranis, a god of war and thunder.
Thor and the Vanir’s Domain
Thor is known as an atmospheric deity responsible for rainfall, essential for crop fertility—a role typically associated with the Vanir gods, who preside over agriculture and fertility. Without rain, no seed, no matter how blessed by Frey, Freyja, or Njord, would grow. One Edda tale sheds further light on this: Thor’s hammer, Mjölnir, is stolen by a giant who demands Freyja as ransom. Thor, disguised as a bride and accompanied by Loki, ventures to Jotunheim to retrieve Mjölnir and, upon recovering it, slays the giants. Bernárdez explains, “Thor attempts to replace Freyja as the guarantor of fertility, without relinquishing his usual role as a slayer of the Thursar.”
This narrative, often seen as a clash between indigenous European beliefs and incoming Indo-European practices, might symbolize Thor stepping into a fertility role due to his ability to produce rain. Although the Vanir could bless crops, it is Thor’s rain that sustains them, drawing him closer to the Vanir gods.
Interestingly, Thor does not use lightning as a weapon. While Mjölnir’s impact creates thunder as a side effect, it is the hammer itself that Thor wields in battle. Marvel Comics and Hollywood popularize the idea of Thor controlling lightning bolts, but in the Eddas, his weapon is unequivocally Mjölnir. This crucial difference separates Thor from Jupiter and Indra, who actively use lightning as a weapon.
Thor’s Transformation into a Warrior God
How did Thor shift to the second function? The rumbling thunder and flashing lightning may have evoked memories of the sounds of forges, producing the tools and weapons that pulled Neolithic Scandinavians and Germans from the Stone Age. Notably, Thor’s mother is Jörd (not Frigg, as Hollywood suggests), who herself is descended from a Jotun and possibly a dwarf. Thor thus embodies traits of Aesir, Jotun, and dwarf origins, leading some to consider him a god of forging as well.
One key Edda narrative illustrating Thor’s transition is his duel with the giant Hrungnir, marking his official role as a warrior god. As European societies became more militant, Thor’s martial attributes solidified. By the first century, Tacitus referred to Thor as the “German Hercules,” and Thor’s Mjölnir became a symbol of resistance against Christianity. Icelanders proudly wore Mjölnir as a pendant in defiance, much like an inverted cross.
Conclusion
Thus, Thor/Thunnor/Donner embodies the “second function” in a way that aligns him with battle and earth’s defense. The Eddas present him as a god of war and protector of humankind—a divine figure who, even if speculatively connected to the Vanir, ultimately champions a distinct and enduring archetype.
Heill Thor!
