Megingjörð is a magical belt said to have been worn by the mighty god Thor in Norse mythology.

When translated, the name essentially means “power belt” and refers to its ability to enhance the user’s strength.

There isn’t exactly a lot of information available about the the belt known as Megingjörð, but according to the Prose Edda, it was one of Thor’s three fabled possessions, alongside the hammer known as Mjölnir and a pair of iron gloves known as Járngreipr.

The Origin of Thor’s Belt

In the second section of the Prose Edda, known as the Skáldskaparmál, it is said that the Thor was given three gifts by the giantess Gríðr, including Megingjörð, as well as a pair of iron gauntlets and the staff Gríðarvölr.

It’s also mentioned in an old Skaldic poem known as the Þórsdrápa, which was written by the 10th century poet Eilífr Goðrúnarson.

Harðvaxnar sér herðir
halllands of sik falla
(gatat maðr) njótr (hin neytri)
njarð- (ráð fyrir sér) gjarðar.
Þverrir lætr nema þyrri
Þorns barna sér Mǫrnar
snerriblóð til svíra
salþaks megin vaxa.

The words “njótr njarðgjarðar” mean “he who benefits from the mighty belt”.