The resemblance among the Scandinavian and Germanic god Tyr, and the god Nuadu, chief of the Tuatha De Dannan, who lost his hand in battle and it was replaced by a silver one so he could reign once again. Nuadu was also the one handed god of the sun. Tyr, the one handed Germanic god of battle and patron of the sword was also called 'the shining one'.
Nowhere in Europe is there any mention of any men associated with loosing one hand, or the practice associated with one hand that is only among the Scandinavians. From the saga of the berserker Egil the one handed in the Saga Einhenda ok Asmundar berserkjabana.
There was the berserker practice of the Fountain of Tyr in which a berserker would cut his hand and use the blood of his spurting artery to blind an opponent.
The Goths would sacrifice their captives to the god Tyr, and would put the arms of their victims on branches of trees.
Theodoric is said to have cut off the right hand of his prisoners, who he took, so they might never be able to fight against him.
The practice of cutting one’s right or left hand in not known nowhere outside the O'Neill legend and among the Scandinavians. I have yet to see any accounts or legends other wise.
Some Scholars believe that Tyr, was the great god of the Teutonic peoples , the Southern Germans named him Ziu, the Northern Germans called him Tiuz, the Scandinavians called him Tyr , and the Anglo Saxons , by the name of Tiw.
Historic records show the Germanic soldiers who served in the Roman legions in Britain, in Northumberland, near the Hadrians wall, inscribed on a Roman Altar.
" Deo Marti Thincso et duabus Alaisiagis Bede et Fimmiline et numi augusti Germani cives Tuihanti U.S.L.M"
Translantion :
"To the God Mars Thincsus and to the goddesses Alaisiages Beda and Fimmilina and to the majesty of the divine Augustus the German citizens of Twenthe address their merited homage"
The province of Twenthe was north of the Rhine on the present frontiers of Holland and Germany.
The God Tyr was the symbol of concealment and the magic cup of invisibility, but also the rebirth of the sun god in Norse mythology. Tyr was the chief god of the ancient Germanic tribes the Suebi of southern Germany worshiped the god Tyr by the name Ziu.
“There is a god called Tyr. He is the boldest and most courageous, and has power over victory in battle; it is good for brave men to call upon him" - Magic of the Scandinavians.
Among the Anglo - Saxons, Tyr is referred as a star that " Keeps it's faith well with King’s, Princes, and Nobel’s, always in course through the dark of night, it never fails" The sailor's guiding star called “God’s Nail".
By M.A.O'Neill
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