Ætt 1 · Pos. 1

Name

Týr, one of the Æsir. The English poem names it glory.

Meaning

The Nordic poems agree on who this is: Týr, the áss who lost a hand to the wolf. The English poem makes it a guiding star that can always be trusted. Faith is the heart of Týr’s story. The Æsir bound Fenrir, the wolf born of Loki and a jotun woman, and Týr lost his right hand to him. In the later telling, the wolf let the fetter on only because Týr’s hand was in his mouth as a pledge. The binding broke faith with the jotnar once more, and it holds only until the end. Then the fetter snaps, and the wolf runs.

The poems

English Rune Poem

Glory is a sign,
it keeps faith well
with nobles;
it is always on course
over the mists of night,
it never fails.

Icelandic Rune Poem

Týr is the one-handed áss,
and the wolf’s leavings,
and the ruler of temples.

Norwegian Rune Poem

Týr is the one-handed
among the Æsir;
often the smith must blow.

Swedish Rune Poem

Týr is the most hateful of spirits.