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Tyr Facts & Worksheets

Tyr, the one-armed deity of the Norse pantheon, was an Aesir tribe member who personified battle and carnage. He was also recognized as an enforcer of justice and order.

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Tyr, the one-armed deity of the Norse pantheon, was an Aesir tribe member who personified battle and carnage. He was also recognized as an enforcer of justice and order.

See the fact file below for more information on Tyr, or you can download our 21-page Tyr worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ORIGINS OF TYR

  • Tyr is frequently connected with Norse mythology and emerged as a Germanic god during the early decades of the Common Era. While he was an authority figure in the Germanic faith, his importance had dwindled by the Viking era (800-1100 CE). 
  • However, his former importance among the Germanic and Norse peoples was proven through the use of his name for the letter “T” of the Runic alphabet and by the word Tuesday, which meant “Tyr’s day.”
  • Tyr was perhaps the son of Odin, the “All Father” and the ruler of gods, or Hymir, a giant who inhabited Hymiskviða (the “Lay of Hymir”) as written in the Poetic Edda.

ATTRIBUTES

  • Tyr was the deity concerned with the rules of combat, particularly treaties, as well as justice.
  • He Tyr was more than simply a fearless warrior; he was also a wise advisor and a defender of justice. These portrayals were based on scant references to the deity in the Norse epics.
  • The most thorough account of the god was drawn from Snorri Sturluson’s Gylfaginning, a book of the Prose Edda written in the thirteenth century. It stated:
  • The Valkyrie Sigrdrifa provides expertise about various runic charms to the hero Sigurd in the poetic Edda Sigrdrífumál. One spell summons the deity Týr:
  • Tyr is mentioned multiple times in the Prose Edda parts Gylfaginning and Skáldskaparmál. Part 25 of the book’s Gylfaginning portion introduces the god:

FENRIR AND TYR’S SACRIFICE

  • Tyr is well remembered for having lost an arm or hand to the enormous wolf Fenrir. The Gylfaginning short account of this incident highlighted Tyr’s bravery and readiness to make sacrifices for the sake of justice. 
  • Only Tyr had the courage to confront Fenrir when he was young, despite the fact that he grew up in Asgard among the gods. 
  • The gods played a “game” in which they were going to attempt to trap Fenrir, knowing that he would be vital during Ragnarök.
  • But Fenrir consistently won, releasing him from his restraints. The gods wanted to permanently bind Fenrir, so they asked the cunning dwarves of Svartalfheim to build a pair of fetters they named Gleipnir.
  • The gods attempted to capture the huge creature once more using Gleipnir. Fenrir was given the restraint and offered one more game to play. 
  • However, when he noticed how frail the bindings were, he got suspicious and claimed that the gods were trying to trick him. 
  • Tyr agreed to put an arm in Fenrir’s mouth, and only then would the wolf accept the game. Fenrir permitted the gods to bind him because he had this improvised safety net. 
  • For the first time, the huge wolf discovered that despite his efforts, he was unable to free himself from his restraints. Fenrir bit down on Tyr’s hand, knowing the gods would not let him go.
  • Interestingly enough, Loki made fun of Tyr about the incident at one of Ægir’s gatherings. There, the inebriated Loki was mocking every goddess and calling them unfaithful until Tyr intervened and told him to stop. 
  • Despite being drunk, Loki was quick to respond, mocking Tyr’s missing right hand by saying, “You can’t be the right hand of justice among the people.”

TYR AND THE KETTLE OF GIANTS

  • When the two gods arrived at Hymir’s house, they discovered the giant hadn’t been there. But Tyr’s grandmother was there, and she warned them to flee before they angered Hymir.
  • The gods took shelter in one of Hymir’s enormous kettles after deciding that this was prudent advice. Tyr and Thor were sheltering behind a pillar when Hymir finally came and destroyed it. 
  • Instantly, the kettles dispersed, leaving the gods vulnerable. Frightened at the sight of the powerful Thor, Hymir ordered the slaughter of three oxen for his guests. Two were consumed by Thor, who claimed he would use the other as bait the next day when he went fishing with Tyr.

TYR IN RAGNARÖK

  • It is said that during Rangarök, Tyr would slay and get killed by Garm, Hel’s monstrous watchdog of the underworld. Ragnarök is also when Fenrir frees himself, eating Odin whole and carrying out the doomed prophecy.
  • Ragnarök – The gods perish in the last conflict of Ragnarök, which pits them against giants, demons, and other supernatural beings. Some of these stories go on to describe how the planet would eventually submerge and then rise once again, with two humans emerging from the world tree to inhabit it.

Tyr Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Tyr across 21 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Tyr. Tyr is frequently connected with Norse mythology and emerged as a Germanic god during the early decades of the Common Era. While he was an authority figure in the Germanic faith, his importance had dwindled by the Viking era (800-1100 CE).

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Tyr Facts
  2. Story in Pictures
  3. Tyr’s Day
  4. Tyr Relations
  5. The God of War
  6. Law and Order
  7. Justice to Serve
  8. Gods of Justice
  9. Virtue of Selflessness
  10. Upholding One’s Oaths
  11. Virtue of Bravery

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Tyr?

Tyr is a Norse god associated with law, justice, and heroic glory in Norse mythology. He is known for his bravery and his role as a protector of the gods.

What role did Tyr play in Norse mythology?

Tyr played a significant role in Norse mythology, especially in relation to the binding of the wolf Fenrir. According to the myth, the gods feared the power of Fenrir and attempted to bind him. Tyr was the only one brave enough to approach Fenrir and volunteered to place his hand in the wolf’s mouth as a gesture of trust. When Fenrir realized he was unable to break free, he bit off Tyr’s hand. This act showed Tyr’s selflessness and courage.

Was Tyr considered the chief god in Norse mythology?

No, Tyr was not considered the chief god in Norse mythology. Odin, also known as Allfather, was generally regarded as the most prominent and powerful god in the Norse pantheon. Odin was associated with wisdom, war, poetry, and magic, and he held a higher status than Tyr.

How was Tyr worshipped by the ancient Norse?

There is limited information available regarding the specific rituals or practices dedicated to Tyr, but he was likely worshipped as a god of war and justice. The ancient Norse people may have offered prayers and sacrifices to Tyr before battles or legal proceedings, seeking his guidance and favor.

Are there any modern references to Tyr?

Yes, references to Tyr can be found in various forms in modern popular culture. Norse mythology has had a significant influence on literature, music, video games, and other forms of media. Tyr is often depicted in modern adaptations of Norse mythology and is sometimes associated with the concept of honor, sacrifice, and martial prowess.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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