THUNDERBOLT

A 'thunderbolt' is a traditional expression for a discharge of lightning or a symbolic representation thereof. In its original usage the word may also have been a description of meteors^[1], although this is not currently the case. As a divine manifestation it has been a powerful symbol throughout history, and has appeared in many mythologies. Drawing from this powerful association, the thunderbolt is often found in military symbolism and semiotic representations of electricity.
Lightning plays a role in many mythologies, often as the weapon of a sky and storm god. As such, it is an unsurpassed method of dramatic instantaneous retributive destruction: thunderbolts as divine weapons can be found in most mythologies. The most familiar thunderbolt weapon in the West was that of Zeus or Jupiter. His thunderbolts, manufactured by Hephaestus/Vulcan, were used to strike down impious criminals and divine opponents.

★ In Hindu mythology, the god Indra is known as the god of lightning. His main weapon is the thunderbolt (Vajra).

★ In Hittite and Hurrian mythology, a triple thunderbolt was one symbol of Teshub.

★ In Greek mythology, lightning and thunder are weapons of Zeus, given from Cyclops.

★ In Maya mythology, Huracan is sometimes represented as three lightning bolts.

★ In Norse mythology, Odin's spear Gungnir is an embodiment of lightning. In addition, his son, Thor is specifically the god of thunder and lightning, wielding Mjolnir.

★ In Native American mythology, the Ani Hyuntikwalaski ("thunder beings") cause lightning fire in a hollow sycamore tree.
The thunderbolt continues into the modern world as a prominent symbol; it has entered modern heraldry and military iconography, typically depicted as winged and emitting flames.

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See also

References

See also

★ Thunder god

★ Vajra

★ Perkwunos

★ Lightning bolt

References

1. Clube V. & Napier B. 1982, The Cosmic Serpent, pg.173ff,