Tiw

Little is know of the cult of Tiw in elder times, but there can be little doubt that Tiw was held in high regard by virtually every Germanic tribe. Tiw is a god of order, war, and political force, and warriors were advised to “call twice on Tyr” for help in battle.It may be that he also has connections to sea-faring which is hardly peculiar– seafaring is a dangerous business and Tiw as a god associated with troth and steadfastness would be good to call upon for those who risk their lives on the fickle waves of the sea. The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem tells us of the North-Star:

Tiw is a beacon / it keeps troth well

with noblemen / always on its course

over the mists of night / it never fails

The Romans called Tiw, Mars Thingus, in an obvious attempt to briefly and succinctly explain his character to the Roman world. Mars is the Roman god of War, and the association of Tiw with the Þing, a Scandinavian legal assembly, is corroborated by Icelandic sources. Tiw is very likely one and the same as the mysterious god Irmin, whose name appears to be a form of divine title. His full name then would be Irmin-Tiw.

Tiw, whose name means ‘Heavenly”, is thought by some to be a god of the sky, though this conception probably stems from the fact that the North-star was called after him, by reason of its faithfulness to sailors. The fact that he is called “Heavenly” is most likely a result of his patriarchal character rather than any overt association with the sky. The sword is sacred to Tiwaz as it is a symbol of justice. His symbol is the rune that bears his name, it has been found on many weapons from the heathen era underscoring his role as a God of tribal protection. Those in a position of authority also call upon Tiw for guidance in resolving legal matters.