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THE iBSIR AS OBJECTS OP WORSHIP. lYl
island,* and so did Helgi the Meagre, who went
thither from Su3r-eyjar (South Islands).t
Those who trusted more to their own strength in
battle than to the protection of Odin, worshiped
Thor as the Bestower of Strength, and at the sacri-
ficial festivals consecrated to him the first filled
horn. This was done by making the sign of the _
Hammer over the horn, as is seen in the well-known
history of King Hakon Athelsteins-fostri, who during
a sacrifici&.l festival at Hlabi made the sign of the
Cross over the horn consecrated to Odin, an act
which Sigurd Jarl explained by saying that the
king did as all do who trust in their own strength ;
—^he consecrated the horn to Thor by the sign of
the Hammer.:]: It is not improbable that Thor's
employed in the marriage
Hammer-sign was also ,
ceremonies of the Northmen, as a consecration of
the union of man and wife, as well as at their fune-
ral ceremonies', of which usage the type was in the
myth of Thor, who consecrated Baldur's funeral
pile with his Hammer.§ In both cases the sign of
the Hammer was to frighten away evil Jotun-
beings, and prevent them from disturbing the
domestic peace of the married, and the repose of
the dead in the grave.
Thor was also invoked by persons about to en.
gage iiQ wrestling. "When the Icelander Thord, who
was a very experienced wrestler, was going to try
* Landnb. lU., 1.
t lb. r, 12.
^: Snor. : H4k. G66. S. 18.
§ The L, Edda :
Gylf. 49.