Þjazi (Old Norse: [ˈθjɑt͡se]; anglicised as Thiazi, Thjazi or Thiassi) was a Norse Jǫtunn. He was the son of Alvaldi and brother of Iði and Gangr. His only daughter was Skaði.
Myths and Legends[]
Kidnapping of Idunn[]
When Hoenir, Óðinn and Loki had set off through the mountains, they came across a herd of oxen. Wishing to eat it, they killed one and roasted it over an earth oven. They realized the ox was not cooking, and then heard a voice in an oak tree. When they looked, they saw a giant eagle (Þjazi), who told them he was stopping the ox from cooking. He made a deal with them; if he could eat a portion of the ox, he would allow it to cook. The gods agreed but when the ox was cooked Þjazi came down and ate most of it. Loki prodded him angrily with a stick, but Þjazi caught Loki in his claws and flew away with him. Loki bargained for his release, eventually agreeing that, in place of Loki, Þjazi would receive Iðunn and her apples of youth.
Loki contrived to lure Iðunn from Ásgarðr, claiming he found apples better than hers. She left Asgard with her apples in order to compare them wit Loki's, but Þjazi (again as an eagle) carried her off. Without Iðunn's apples, the gods began to age. They discovered that Iðunn was last seen with Loki and they threatened to kill him if he did not find a way to return her.
Loki transformed into a falcon and flew to Þjazi's palace, finding Iðunn alone (as Þjazi had gone out to sea). Loki turned her into an acorn and flew back to Asgard with her. However, Þjazi returned shortly and, realising Iðunn's absence, pursued them. The gods saw Þjazi chasing after Loki and lit a fire. The fire burnt Þjazi's feathers and he fell to the ground, where he was killed by the gods while Loki and Iðunn safely reached Asgard.
Skaði, however, had learnt of her father's death and came to Asgard seeking vengeance. The gods offered her compensation; a place among the Asynjur and a husband from among the gods. Skaði accepted, though her husband had to be chosen only by his feet. Skaði saw a pair of soft feet and assumed it was Baldr. However, she realized after choosing him, it was Njǫrðr. Skadi and Njörðr lived unhappily until they separated. Þjazi's eyes were also placed into the sky as stars, by Odin.
Family[]
Gallery[]
| Jǫtnar and Gýgjar | |
|---|---|
| Jǫtnar | Alvaldi • Annarr • Auðr • Baugi • Beli • Bergelmir • Bǫlþorn • Býleistr • Eggþér • Fárbauti • Fjǫrgynn • Fornjótr • Gangr • Geirrǫðr • Gillingr • Gymir • Helblindi • Helreginn • Hrímgrímnir • Hrímnir • Hrungnir • Hrymr • Hræsvelgr • Hymir • Iði • Ím • Kári • Litr • Logi • Loki • Mímir • Mǫkkurkálfi • Mǫgþrasir • Naglfari • Narfi • Narfi Lokason • Søkkmímir • Surtr • Suttungr • Útgarða-Loki • Vafþrúðnir • Váli • Víðblindi • Vǫrnir • Ymir • Þjazi • Þrívaldi • Þrúðgelmir • Þrymr • Ægir |
| Gýgjar | Angrboða • Aurboða • Bestla • Eimyrja • Eisa • Fjǫrgyn • Gerðr • Gjálp • Glǫð • Greip • Gríðr • Gunnlǫð • Harðgreipr • Hel • Hljóð • Hrímgerðr • Hróðr • Hyrrokkin • Járnsaxa • Jǫrð • Laufey • Leikn • Nine Daughters of Ægir and Rán/Nine Mothers of Heimdallr • Nornir (Urðr • Verðandi • Skuld) • Nótt • Sinmara • Skaði • Þǫkk |