Most Powerful Weapons In Mythology

Let's investigate the most legendary and powerful mythical weapons in Greek, Norse, Hindu mythology and other myths from around the world.

August 11, 2022・

10 min read

The legendary figures of the mythological world are mighty and impressive beings in their own right, but the weapons they possess are equally awe-inspiring and sometimes powerful enough to level a field.

Only a select few are deemed worthy to wield these extraordinary relics, as death and destruction will surely follow should these fall to the wrong hands. Here are some of the most powerful, magical and famous mythological weapons.

10. Honjo Masamune

Crafted by the master swordsmith Goro Nyudo Masamune, the Honjo Masamune is believed to be Masamune's finest work. It is so perfectly crafted that it is said that each of its layers is as thick as an atom.

The Honjo Masamune earned its place in Japanese legend after a swordsman named Umanosuke attacked General Honjo Shigenaga.

The sword was able to split the general's helmet in half — a feat that no Japanese sword has ever achieved. In the end, the general was victorious, claiming the sword for himself.

It was then passed from one hand to another until it ended up in the hands of an American soldier named "Sgt. Coldy Bimore". The legendary sword has never been seen or heard of ever since, but the search still continues up to this day.

The Honjo Masamune also has a place in modern fiction, often wielded by protagonists to do battle with their rivals.

They also demonstrate extraordinary abilities, such as making the wielder invisible by splitting light due to its perfectly balanced and aligned blade.

But no matter how exaggerated they may portray the Honjo Masamune in fiction, it still retains one characteristic that is present in all of Masamune's swords — never to cut down the innocent and undeserving.

9. Fragarach

Considered to be the deadliest sword in Irish mythology, the Fragarach is a magical sword forged by the gods and bestowed upon Manannan mac Lir and later by his foster son, Lugh.

The Fragarach is also known by its other names such as "The Retaliator", as it can slice through armor and inflict wounds that cannot be cured by any medicine. The legendary weapon is also referred to as "The Answerer", because it can force the truth from anyone once they have been wounded by it.

While it was originally owned by Manannan, it was used mostly by Lugh after obtaining it from "Tir na mBeo" or the "Land of the Living".

The most prominent use of the sword was in the Irish saga "Cath Maige Tuired", where Lugh used the Fragarach, along with his other magical items, to do battle with the Fomoriansi.

The Fragarach was later given to his son, Cu Chulainn, who had his fair share of adventures with it, and later to Conn of the Hundred Battles.

8. Excalibur

One of the most iconic pieces in the Arthurian romances, the Excalibur is a mystical sword owned by the legendary King Arthur. Deemed as a holy sword, it is said to have blinded its foes with the light of thirty torches, allowing King Arthur to cut through ranks of enemy soldiers with ease.

The gemmed scabbard of the Excalibur is considered even more powerful, as it prevents the holder from getting harmed during battle, allowing King Arthur to survive even the most fatal wounds.

There are two different renditions on how King Arthur obtained the sword. In Robert de Boron's Merlin, he obtained Excalibur by pulling the sword out of a stone.

But In the Post-Vulgate Cycle, he obtained Excalibur after the Lady of the Lake gave it to him after he broke his first sword, the Caliburn, which is the name given to the sword he pulled out from the stone in this rendition.

The final fate of the sword remains the same between the two versions. The Lady of the Lake is said to have retrieved the sword after it was thrown into the lake upon the request of a dying Arthur. Excalibur was never to be seen or held again by mortal hands.

7. Thunderbolt

The well-known symbol of the Greek god Zeus, the Thunderbolt is Zeus' favoured weapon. It was given to him after he rescued the Cyclops during the war between the Titans and the Olympian Gods.

As the name implies, the Thunderbolt allows Zeus to throw down lightning bolts as if they were projectiles, smiting anyone who dare defy his bidding.

Zeus used the Thunderbolt primarily to safeguard the people of Mount Olympus. An example of such an event would be the battle between him and Typhon, wherein he threw a hundred lightning bolts to destroy his opponent, saving the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus.

Zeus was also known to use the weapon whenever someone angered him, which was very often. Asclepius was killed by one due to his knowledge in medicine, as Zeus determined that he threatened the balance between gods and men.

Salmoneus was killed by one as well after he pretended to be Zeus. Regardless, Zeus was known to be a fair and just god. Woe be to those who dare incur Zeus' wrath.

6. The Trident of Poseidon

The Trident was bestowed upon Poseidon alongside Zeus' Thunderbolt, marking two of the most legendary weapons in Greek Mythology.

While the weapon is remarkable by itself, its capabilities are far more overwhelming as it allows Poseidon to control the seas, calming the waters or creating destructive tidal waves in a blink of an eye.

It is said to also summon mythical beasts of the deep, as learned by King Laomedon and the city of Troy after refusing to honor his part of the deal with Poseidon.

Besides its dominion over seas, the Trident can also be used on land. When struck on the ground, it can cause earthquakes and droughts. While it may seem that the Trident is more powerful compared to Zeus' Thunderbolt, its full extent of power can only be used when it is on the water.

Nevertheless, it is still not wise to anger Poseidon, lest you face the same anger that befell his victims.

5. Gungnir

The favored weapon of Odin, Gungnir is a magical weapon crafted by the dwarves of Norse mythology. As expected of a weapon presented upon gods, the Gungnir was a spear like no other.

Its aim is true, as its capable of piercing its target no matter how far away they may be. Runes are inscribed within its tip which boosts its mystical capabilities, allowing Odin to strike before the enemies have the chance to retaliate.

Odin used the Gungnir in several battles. One notable example is the war between the Aesir and the Vanir gods, in which he threw the Gungnir towards the enemy host, effectively cutting down a portion of the enemy's army.

The Gungnir, along with Odin, was last mentioned during Ragnarok — the final battle that ended the life of the Norse gods.

4. Green Dragon Crescent Blade

Formidable and powerful — this best describes the Green Dragon Crescent Blade. Held by Liu Bei's general Guan Yu, this weapon is incredibly heavy, weighing 48.38 kilograms. Heavy as it may be, Guan Yu was able to use the weapon effectively with just one hand — a feat that no mere human can accomplish.

Legends say that this weapon was crafted on a full moon with the blood of a green dragon, which explains the origin of the name. It is also said that it is able to repel evil creatures, as it was deemed to be a holy weapon bestowed by the gods themselves.

Regardless of whether it has supernatural capabilities or not, the Green Dragon Crescent Blade proved to be a boon to both Guan Yu and Liu Bei as it helped the warlord realise his dreams of becoming an emperor.

The Green Dragon Crescent Blade was later given to Pan Zhang after he captured him, only for it to be retrieved later by Guan Yu's son Guan Xing.

3. Mjolnir

Held by the Norse god of thunder Thor, the Mjolnir is one of the most powerful artifacts in Norse mythology and can only be wielded by those who are deemed "worthy".

It may be small in stature, but the Mjolnir possesses extraordinary amounts of power and weight, able to level mountains with ease. Thor could also call down bolts of lightning with the Mjolnir at hand, destroying those who opposed the might of the gods.

The Mjolnir was crafted after Loki made a bet with Brokkr that he couldn't produce better artifacts than that of the Sons of Ivaldi. Brokkr was able to win the bet by producing three great artifacts, including the Mjolnir.

Although the Mjolnir has a bit of a flaw in the fact that the handle is shorter than planned thanks to Loki's meddling, the final product was better than expected, exhibiting traits that far surpassed the other artifacts and weapons created by the dwarves.

The Mjolnir is feared by many, including the gods themselves, as such a weapon can decimate the gods themselves should it fall in the wrong hands.

2. Sharur

Wielded by the Mesopotamian god of war Ninurta, the Sharur is a sentient mace of great power. Created by Enlil, the father of Ninurta, it is used to enact divine punishment on the wicked. As a sentient weapon, it can communicate with Ninurta or act as a mediator between Enlil and Ninurta.

Sharur's power is tremendous, as it is able to flatten mountains and raze forests with just a single swing. It can also fly, which enables Ninurta to travel between lands with ease.

Sharur was highlighted prominently in the poem Lugal-e where Ninurta did battle with the demon Asag, who plagued the Earth with its very essence. The battle was fierce, as the demon had an army of rock demons at its command.

The Sharur proved to be useful in this battle, as it allowed Ninurta to seek help from his father, giving him the necessary knowledge to vanquish the demon and save the lands.

Sharur is also known as "Vajra" in Hindu mythology, having the exact same characteristics and properties as the Sharur.

1. Brahmastra

The Brahmastra is a supernatural weapon created by Lord Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. Taking the form of a bow and arrow, this weapon is considered a destructive weapon, capable of destroying everything in its path and its surroundings.

Due to its immense power, this weapon can only be used after meeting specific conditions. Firstly, it can only be used to uphold the teachings of Satya Dharma. Secondly, the person invoking the weapon should have strong mental fortitude. Lastly, it can only be used once in a lifetime.

According to the Four Vedas, the weapon was used only eight times, the most prominent being Lord Rama firing it at modern-day Rajasthan, creating the Thar Desert as a result.

The Brahmastra has two more powerful evolutions: the Brahmashira, which is four times more powerful than the Brahmastra, and the Pashupatastra, which can destroy the entire universe.

If you were impressed by these legendary mythical weapons, you might want to read about the most unusual and famous swords in History!