The Binding of Fenrir

“The Binding of Fenrir” has become one of the most popular tales in Norse mythology. Fenrir is a large wolf, and the offspring of the god Loki. Fenrir lived with the gods in Asgard, but as Fenrir continued to grow and grow into a monstrously large size, the gods knew he posed too much of a threat to continue his residence in Asgard. So, the gods executed a plot to bind Fenrir and remove him from Asgard.

The gods bound Fenrir with various chains as a test of Fenrir’s strength. Each time, Fenrir answered the challenge and was able to break free of every chain presented to him. However, in secret, the gods sent a messenger to Svartalfheim, the home of the dwarves, master craftsmen who forged a magical binding which could not be broken. They named this magical chain Gleipnir.

When presented with the magical Gleipnir, Fenrir detected something was up, and requested one of the gods place their hand in his mouth as an assurance that this was no trick. Every god refused knowing full well that this would mean the loss of their hand to the mighty Fenrir. Only Tyr, bravest of the gods, was willing to offer his hand to Fenrir.
After being bound by Gleipnir and discovering that he was indeed trapped and unable to free himself, Fenrir took his revenge and bit off the hand of Tyr. The gods promptly hauled Fenrir away to a far away place where he remains until Ragnarok.

The symbolism of the brave Tyr sacrificing his hand to the powerful Fenrir is reflected in this artwork.

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Fenrir Viking Shield

This Viking shield design builds on my most popular artwork of the wolf Fenrir. Fenrir is an enormous, monster wolf from Norse mythology, and is the father of all wolves. You’ll see Fenrir painted on the circular Viking shield. The shield is accented with two heavy-duty Viking axes that are decorated with wolves and Viking-style knot work. The shield is also accented by knot work and Elder Futhark runes.

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Fenrir: Ragnarok Viking Monster Wolf

Fenrir: Ragnarok Viking Monster Wolf

Fenrir (or Fenris) is a gigantic, monster wolf of Norse Viking folklore. Fenrir is a child of the Norse god Loki, and is responsible for gobbling up the god Odin WHOLE during the events of Ragnarok. Fenrir is so ferocious that only a magical chain forged by the dwarves can bind him. The god Tyr (represented by the rune that looks like an arrow in this image) had his right hand bitten off by Fenrir. This image shows Fenrir breaking free of the magical dwarven chains that bind him.

Fenrir Men's Tee. Much more apparel and accessories available in the online store!

This is my original sketch of this design.

New "Fenrir: The Monster Wolf of Norse Mythology" Design

Initial Sketch

COMPLETED DESIGN

"Fenrir: The Monster Wolf of Norse Mythology

The legend of Fenrir has many interesting  stories attached to it, but perhaps the most well known is how Fenrir came to bite off the hand of the Nordic god, Týr (from whom we get "Týrsday, or Tuesday as it is now known). Týr was brave enough to place his hand INSIDE the mouth of Fenrir while the other Nordic god's bound Fenrir with a magical ribbon made by the dwarves. Fenrir, who was able to break every other chain up until the magical dwarf ribbon was unable to free himself, and bit off Týr's hand in a rage! Týr is now most commonly depicted as missing a hand.