Thor: Hammer of the Gods

Nordic myths, wild forests and the art of skin: an odyssey through North Rhine-Westphalia

An image emerges in my mind's eye: A tattoo journalist with an obsession for Norse mythology and an insatiable urge to write, embarking on a journey through the depths of North Rhine-Westphalia. Yes, my friends, that's me.

So here I am, standing at the foot of the Hermann monument, this monumental memorial to times gone by. As I ponder the heroic triumphs of the Germanic tribes against the Romans, I am struck by the ironic ambivalence of this history. The Germanic tribes as a source of inspiration for tattoo motifs? Even the hardened Teuton next door gets goosebumps.

But wait, does the history of the Germanic tribes always have to be characterized by darkness and ambivalence? Isn't there room for casual and relaxed interpretations? Yes, I know, the Germanic tribes were so abused in the Third Reich that even Odin would have turned away shaking his head. But do we have to condemn their cultural significance because of this? Led Zeppelin also took a lot from the Nordic world of gods for their songs. Thor, the god of thunder, with his legendary hammer Mjölnir, which can shake the world. And what an irony that the gods of rock 'n' roll, Led Zeppelin, of all people, have created a monument to him with their song. "We come from the land of the ice and snow, from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow" - the words echo through the woods and awaken the old gods to new life.

And so I stand here, at the foot of the Hermann monument, surrounded by the majestic splendor of the Nordic landscape, and let myself be carried away by the sounds of the Immigrant Song. Because at this moment, I feel more alive than ever before, connected to the gods and the legends that have inhabited this earth for centuries.

As I descend the mountain and wander through the impenetrable German forests, I start to ponder. Bloody hell, this forest has it all! Not only does it serve as a backdrop for dark fairy tales and gruesome legends, no, it is also mercilessly exploited by us humans. But hey, in the midst of this wilderness and danger, the forest is also a place of relaxation and inspiration.

And you know what? Tattoos can perfectly capture this complexity without getting embroiled in political trench warfare. Nordic motifs, inspired by the epic mythology of the Germanic tribes and the infinite beauty of nature, are like a love letter to our past and environment. Yggdrasil, the world tree, embodies growth and change, while the Nordic runes are not only stylish but also carry a deep symbolic meaning.

But wait, there is still something missing, something that truly captures the spirit of Norse mythology. A motif that touches the soul and inspires the imagination. Ah, there it is: Mölnir, the mighty hammer of Thor.

Thor's hammer is not only a tool of destruction, but also an instrument of protection and defense. With its power, Thor was able to defeat the enemies of the gods and protect the world from evil. But at the same time, Mjölnir also symbolizes the power of craftsmanship and work. Thor was not only a warrior, but also a blacksmith who forged the hammer with his own hand. Mjölnir therefore also stands for diligence, skill and the will to overcome obstacles.

And just at that moment, while my thoughts are wandering through the forest, I catch sight of it: a frog. A small, wild creature hiding among the leaves. A frog, which has a special significance in Germanic mythology, as a symbol of fertility and rebirth. Yes, that could be a good tattoo motif, a wild animal in the middle of the Nordic landscape.

The wind carries the whispering of the trees while my thoughts are lost in the waves of Nordic mythology. But wait, what do I see? A frog! A small, green creature that has found its hiding place among the leaves. A frog that not only stands for fertility and rebirth, but also once symbolized sexual adventures. Yes, you heard right, the charming "froggy" was used for amorous escapades. So it's no wonder that the Frog Prince was once regarded as a representative of salacious tales!

And then the other animals! Wolves, ravens, bears - the Nordic animal kingdom is as diverse as the color palette of a talented tattoo artist. They remind us that we are part of a greater whole, embedded in the infinite beauty and complexity of nature.

So, my dear friends, let's celebrate our connection to nature and history without engaging in political trench warfare. Because tattoos are not just colorful images on our skin, but also symbols of our individuality and our insatiable longing for adventures in wild forests and forgotten legends.

Text: Julian Bachmann

Graphic: Jonas Bachmann