Surtur

Surtur, also known as Surtr, is a figure in Norse mythology associated with Muspelheim, the realm of fire. He is commonly described as a fire giant and is closely tied to the events of Ragnarök, the cataclysmic end of the world in Norse myth.

In primary sources such as the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda, Surtr is depicted as leading the fire giants during Ragnarök. He is described as wielding a flaming sword and as playing a central role in the world’s fiery destruction. Accounts vary on details, but a common motif is that his blaze will engulf the world and contribute to the upheaval and renewal that follow Ragnarök.

The name Surtr/Surtur is Old Norse, with etymology that is not definitively established. The term is often associated with fire or burning, though precise meaning remains uncertain.

In popular culture, Surtur is a prominent character in Marvel Comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He is portrayed as a powerful fire demon who rules Muspelheim and wields the Twilight Sword. In Marvel stories, he embodies the Ragnarök prophecy and appears as an antagonist in Thor-related narratives. In the film Thor: Ragnarok, he is released to fulfill Ragnarök, with his actions leading to the destruction of Asgard, though the surviving characters continue their stories beyond that event. Outside of comics and film, Surtur appears in various other media and adaptations as a canonical fire-giant figure.