The concept of Mjǫllnir, Þunor’s hammer, has been a focal point of Norse mythology and Old English tradition for centuries, yet much of what we understand about it today stems from a combination of both factual accounts and speculative theories. The hammer, commonly referred to as Mjǫllnir, is one of the most iconic symbols of Norse myth, yet it is essential to recognize that there were actually two hammers associated with Þunor. His first hammer, “Vingnir’s Mjǫllnir,” was made of stone and was passed down from his foster-father, Vingnir.[1] His second, forged from iron by the dwarf Sindri, met its demise when it was shattered by the legendary sword of Vǫlundr (Wéland).[2]
While these mythological narratives present an intriguing backstory to the hammer, the deeper discussion lies in the etymology and meaning of the word itself. Unfortunately, the origins of the name are uncertain and we are left to theorize based on linguistic evidence. One compelling theory suggests that the name Mjǫllnir is related to “lightning,” drawing a parallel between Þunor’s name, which means “Thunder,” and the elemental force that accompanies it. This theory proposes that Mjǫllnir evolved from the Proto-Indo-European *meldʰ-n-, meaning lightning, which later transformed into Proto-Germanic *meldunjaz and eventually became the Old Norse word Mjǫllnir. If this theory holds, Þunor’s hammer would symbolize not only physical might but also the elemental power of lightning itself, connecting the weapon to the forces of nature in a direct and awe-inspiring way. Adding to this, we can compare Old Norse myln (“fire”), Welsh mellt (“lightning”), Russian “мо́лния” (“mólnija,” “lightning”), Serbo-Croatian “муња” (“munja”), Bulgarian “мълния” (“mǎlnija”), Drevanian–Polabian “måuńa” and Kashubian “môłniô,” Latvian “milna” (“Hammer of Pērkons”) and Old Prussian “mealde;” all names for “lightening” and derive from Proto-Indo-European *meldʰ-. In the Old Norse, the -nir attached to Mjǫll is an agent suffix used to create a noun from a verb; thus, in this context, Mjǫllnir, while meaning “lightening” can be seen as “The Lightening Striker.”
Another theory, also rooted in the Proto-Indo-European *meldʰ, is that Mjǫllnir is connected to the Old Norse words “mala,” meaning “to grind or to make a grinding sound” and mola, meaning “to crush into dust;” each derived from the Proto-Germanic *malaną, meaning “to grind”. Another Old Norse word likely connected to Mjǫllnir is mjǫl, which means “flour”; from Proto-Germanic *melwą, meaning “ground corn, meal or flour.” Now interestingly, in Old English, we have melu, meaning “flour or meal, as in the edible part of a grain or pulse,’ and myl, meaning “dust;” with both likely derived from the same Proto-Germanic *melwą, meaning “ground corn, meal or flour.” This theory posits that Mjǫllnir can mean “The Grinder,” “The Crusher,” or in the Anglo-Saxon context, “The Duster” (as in the hammer crushing or grinding its target into dust), which is logical given Mjǫllnir’s destructive force and Þunor’s role as a fierce protector of Middanġeard against the Eotenas.
Expanding on the etymological theories and the mythological accounts of Þunor’s hammer, a third theory posits that Mjǫllnir encompasses both meanings of “lightning” and “crushing” or “grinding.” This interpretation connects the Proto-Indo-European root *meldʰ-, signifying both the striking force of lightning and the grinding or crushing associated with destruction, to the hammer’s mythological attributes. Þunor’s role as a storm god and protector reinforces this duality, as Mjǫllnir embodies the raw power of lightning alongside its ability to physically crush enemies into dust. This synthesis reflects Mjǫllnir’s symbolic and functional significance, representing both the elemental force of lightning and the transformative power of destruction that can both restore cosmic balance and bring new life.
With these theories in mind, it’s fascinating to consider how the hammer’s name may be reconstructed in Old English, especially given that no direct evidence for historical usage exists. In looking at the Old Norse Mjǫllnir, the closest likely cognate is “melu,” meaning “flour,” which relates directly to the concept of grinding or crushing, cf. Old Norse “mjǫl.” “Myl”, which means “dust,” holds merit and is phonetically closer. These words can be reconstructed as a cognate for Mjǫllnirby adding the agentive suffix -a (an Old English equivalent to the Old Norse -nir) to the root word; thus, creating words that translates as “the crusher” or “the duster” in *mela and *myla. These forms mirror the meaning of Mjǫllnir, with both terms sharing the same linguistic origins, as well as aligning with the mythological accounts.
Although these theories present us with a compelling narrative for Þunor’s hammer, they remain speculative, especially when examining the linguistic evolution. In fact, the true meaning of Mjǫllnir may lie somewhere between these interpretations, awaiting further exploration. Þunor is god whose origins stretch far into the antiquity of the Germanic peoples’ origins in the people we refer to as Proto-Indo-European, and who very well may have called Mjǫllnir something akin to *melho, which referred to lightening itself and its destructive effects.
~ Folcweard Lárġyfa, Ǽrra Ġéola / Early Yule 10, 2024
Footnotes and credits
[1] This theory was a reconstruction by Viktor Rydberg, whom many agree with; however, some secular scholars view the stone hammer as a more primitive, Indo-European version of Mjolnir.
[2] Based on Gesta Danorum bk. 3, Investigations into Germanic Mythology vol. 1 ch. 101.
Picture Credit: https://whirlingsun.com/shop/silver-anglo-saxon-thunors-hammer/