MMythWeaveNorse Mythology Library
Deity

Tyr

A god known for courage, the only one to feed Fenrir and the one who gives his hand as pledge.

Norse Lichen iron editorial illustration of Tyr for the atlas detail view.
MythWeave AI-generated editorial illustration, Norse portrait v1 full approved batch

Overview

Tyr's force in the Fenrir story comes from two linked acts: he alone dares to feed the growing wolf, and he alone places his hand in Fenrir's mouth as a pledge. Gylfaginning 25 uses the episode as evidence of his courage, while chapter 34 embeds it in the binding itself, where trust and deception meet. Tyr does not defeat Fenrir by force; he bears the cost that allows the gods' strategy to work.

Key facts

The only god who feeds Fenrir

Chapter 34 singles Tyr out as the only one who dares approach and feed Fenrir as the wolf grows among the gods.

Further spoiler details are available in the interactive atlas.

Relationships

  • Fenrirfeeds

    As Fenrir grows among the gods, Tyr alone dares to approach and feed him.

  • Fenrirpledges hand to

    Fenrir demands a hand in his mouth as pledge, and Tyr gives his right hand.

  • Fenrirbites off hand

    When the gods do not free Fenrir, he bites off the hand Tyr placed in his mouth.

  • Garmmutual death

    Garm and Tyr fight, and both die.

  • Freyrpraises

    Tyr calls Freyr the best of the gods’ heroes.

  • Lokitaunts

    Loki taunts Tyr with the loss of his hand and another allegation; the content remains provocation in the poem.

  • Thorguides toward Hymir

    Tyr tells Thor where Hymir’s great kettle can be found.

  • Hymirnamed as father in the poem

    In Hymiskvitha, Tyr calls Hymir his father.

Story appearances

  • Binding of FenrirGod whose courage bears the cost

    Tyr first feeds Fenrir when others fear him, then gives his hand as pledge and becomes the cost of divine success.

  • RagnarokGarm’s mutual-death opponent

    Tyr fights Garm, and both die.

  • Lokasenna: Ægir’s FeastFeast figure in Lokasenna

    A god known for courage, the only one to feed Fenrir and the one who gives his hand as pledge.

  • Hymiskvitha: Kettle, Serpent, and FeastFigure, object, or place in Hymiskvitha

    A god known for courage, the only one to feed Fenrir and the one who gives his hand as pledge.

Ancient sources

MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.

Open in the interactive atlas →