Mythology around Runes: Tiwaz

Mythology around Runes:

Tiwaz

Tiwaz is an ancient name for the god of War and Justice, who was first mentioned by the Roman writer Tacitus, who claimed that Tiwaz was the king of the Germanic Gods.
When this role was later assumed by Odin, Tiwaz took a humbler form as the God Tyr. To the Saxons, he was known as Tiw, and it is from his name that we derive our word "Tuesday". His most famous story involves a monstrous wolf called Fenris, who had grown so large that he threatened to devour the whole universe to satisfy his ravenour hunger. The gods tried to bind the monster with ropes and chains, but these proved to be no restraint to Fenris, who broke them with a shrug. Eventually, one of the dwarf craftsmen made an enchanted ribbon that was as fine as a woman's hair and swore that this alone would be strong enough to fetter the beast. However, scenting magic, the wolf refused to allow the gods to bind him. Then brave Tyr stepped forward and offered to place his right hand in the mouth of the monster as a guarantee that all would be well. To the relief of the gods, the binding held and the Fenris wolf was imprisoned. Now the monster took his revenge by biting off Tyr's extended hand, which was nobly sacrificed for the good of all.