Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt

A thunderbolt is a traditional expression for a discharge of lightning or a symbolic representation thereof. In its original usage the word may also have been a description of meteors [ Clube V. & Napier B. 1982, The Cosmic Serpent, pg.173ff, ] , although this is not currently the case. As a divine manifestation it has been a powerful symbol throughout history, and has appeared in many mythologies. Drawing from this powerful association, the thunderbolt is often found in military symbolism and semiotic representations of electricity.

Lightning plays a role in many mythologies, often as the weapon of a sky and storm god. As such, it is an unsurpassed method of dramatic instantaneous retributive destruction: thunderbolts as divine weapons can be found in most mythologies. The most familiar thunderbolt weapon in the West was that of Zeus or Jupiter. His thunderbolts, manufactured by the cyclopic children of Gaia, were used to strike down impious criminals and divine opponents.

* In Hindu mythology, the god Indra is known as the god of lightning. His main weapon is the thunderbolt (Vajra).
* In Hittite and Hurrian mythology, a triple thunderbolt was one symbol of Teshub.
* In Greek mythology, the thunderbolt is a weapon given to Zeus by the Cyclops.
* In Roman mythology, the thunderbolt is a weapon given to Jupiter by the Cyclops.
* In Maya mythology, Huracan is sometimes represented as three lightning bolts.
* In Norse mythology, Odin's spear Gungnir is an embodiment of lightning. In addition, his son, Thor is specifically the god of thunder and lightning, wielding Mjolnir.
* In Native American mythology, the Ani Hyuntikwalaski ("thunder beings") cause lightning fire in a hollow sycamore tree.

The thunderbolt continues into the modern world as a prominent symbol; it has entered modern heraldry and military iconography, typically depicted as winged and emitting flames.

In medieval Europe, fossil belemnites were said to be petrified thunderbolts.

See also

*Thunder god
* Vajra
* Perkwunos
* Lightning

References


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  • Thunderbolt — Thun der*bolt , n. 1. A shaft of lightning; a brilliant stream of electricity passing from one part of the heavens to another, or from the clouds to the earth. [1913 Webster] 2. Something resembling lightning in suddenness and effectiveness.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Thunderbolt — Thunderbolt, GA U.S. town in Georgia Population (2000): 2340 Housing Units (2000): 1096 Land area (2000): 1.273892 sq. miles (3.299364 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.178161 sq. miles (0.461435 sq. km) Total area (2000): 1.452053 sq. miles (3.760799 …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Thunderbolt, GA — U.S. town in Georgia Population (2000): 2340 Housing Units (2000): 1096 Land area (2000): 1.273892 sq. miles (3.299364 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.178161 sq. miles (0.461435 sq. km) Total area (2000): 1.452053 sq. miles (3.760799 sq. km) FIPS… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • thunderbolt — index bombshell Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • thunderbolt — (n.) mid 15c., from THUNDER (Cf. thunder) (n.) + BOLT (Cf. bolt) (n.) …   Etymology dictionary

  • thunderbolt — ► NOUN ▪ a flash of lightning with a simultaneous crash of thunder …   English terms dictionary

  • thunderbolt — [thun′dərbōlt΄] n. 1. a flash of lightning and the accompanying thunder 2. a bolt or missile imagined as hurled to earth by a stroke of lightning 3. something that stuns or acts with sudden violence or force …   English World dictionary

  • Thunderbolt — У этого термина существуют и другие значения, см. Thunderbolt (значения). Thunderbolt Тип …   Википедия

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