In Norse myth, the hammer of Thor and the symbol of his power.
Forged by dwarfs, the hammer never failed Thor as a weapon or as an instrument of sanctification. It had many magical qualities, including the ability to return to Thor's hand after it had been thrown. It was stolen by the giant Thrym, who asked as ransom the hand of Freyja . When Freyja refused to go to Thrym, Thor, masquerading as Freyja, managed to seize the hammer, which had been brought out to consecrate Freyja as Thrym's bride, and slaughtered Thrym and the other giants.