Part of Norse myth, Megingjord was the enchanted Belt of Strength owned by Thor. While worn by Thor, his already legendary strength, power and durability double.^[1][3][2]

It was first used by Thor in the modern era while trapped by the magician Sandu who was being manipulated by Thor's evil step-brother Loki.^[1] The Belt was normally held in reserve by Odin in Asgard when Thor was not using it.

Later, when Odin became concerned that Thor might one day not be available when Asgard needed his strength, he had Geirrodur craft a device that generated certain mystical flames. Odin then summoned Thor to Asgard and had him walk through these Fires of Geirrodur. Although Thor was not then informed of the purpose of this action, Odin showed Sif that the flames had separated some of Thor's essence from his body and Odin then transformed that essence into a solid image within which the power of the Thunder God resided. If some crisis were to come at a time when Thor was absent, then this immortal essence could be placed into another, lesser god or even a mortal who could then protect Asgard. Until it was needed, Odin stored this Essence of Thor within the Belt of Strength and Thor's Iron Gloves.^[4]

Later, Thor battled Loki in Jotunheim but found himself weakened by half by spells that Loki had previously cast. In order to overcome this weakness, Thor summoned his Belt of Strength from Asgard and donned it, regaining his normal strength and enabling him to swiftly defeat Loki and his allies. After flying himself, Loki and the mortal "Red" Norvell back to Asgard, Thor removed the belt and handed it to Norvell to hold, until and unless he asked for it.^[5] However, Norvell had fallen in love with Lady Sif and Loki was easily able to manipulate him into taking the belt to the Palace of Thor. Once there, Norvell followed Loki's instructions and bathed in the Fire of Geirrodur while retrieving and donning the Iron Gloves and putting on the belt. As a result of undergoing this trial, Norvell was transformed into another version of Thor.^[6] In his new godly form, Norvell continued to wear the Belt of Strength until he sacrificed his life by choosing to battle Jormungand. Soon after, Thor learned that Odin created the means for another Thor to be birthed to replace him as part of a plan to thwart Ragnarok.^[7][8]

Thor was later forced to wear the belt again when he faced Kurse whose power had been increased by the Beyonder.^[3] The belt was not apparent when Thor was briefly trapped in the form of a frog by a spell cast by Loki but reappeared when he used Mjolnir to transform into Thor the Thunder Frog.^[9]

Later, Thor wore Megingjord to boost his powers when he confronted Arishem who had seemingly judged against the inhabitants of the planet Pangoria but his increased power had no effect on the Celestial.^[10] After discovering the greater threat posed by Exitar the Exterminator and making his way into that Celestial's head, Thor wrapped his Belt of Power around Mjolnir and then channeled his godly life-force through his hammer in order to crack open the dome that protected Exitar's brain.^[2]

When Thor later began constantly ignoring his responsibilities to Asgard by choosing to stay on Earth at a time when Asgard was in need of a Thor due to another looming Ragnarok, Odin traveled to Valhalla to retrieve Roger Norvell. Odin gave the Belt of Strength and the Iron Gloves to Norvell who became Thor again as soon as he put them on.^[11]

During a battle with a higher powered clone of Thanos, Thor received a much-changed Megingjord along with a shield and a gauntlet empowered with Odinforce from Odin and used them to defeat the Thanos clone.^[12] Soon afterwards, when Thor attempted to use the power of the Gauntlet of Tomorrows to restore a damaged Recorder to life, Odin appeared to him and warned him to immediately remove the Weapons of War because they would drain the noble and righteous character of whoever bore them until they were left without empathy or moral heading. When Thor, who was already being influenced, refused to obey Odin's command, the All-Father sent Balder (disguised as the recently-defeated Mangog) to battle him. After fighting for nearly two hours, Thor was about to slay his defeated foe when Odin dispelled the illusion and revealed who Thor had really been battling. Shaken to realize how close he had come to murdering his comrade, Thor discarded all of the weapons, and Odin transported them and Balder back to Asgard.^[13]

Megingjord has not been seen since, and its whereabouts are unknown.

• Although listed on this wiki under its mythological name, this item has only been called either the Belt of Strength or the Belt of Power in stories set within the Marvel Universe.
• According to Thor #363, wearing his Belt of Strength doubles Thor's natural power but its use drains him so severely that he would barely be able to walk once he removed it. This weakness has not been mentioned or observed in any other stories.
• In its first ten appearances in stories set on Earth-616, this belt was golden in color, its design had a number of circles along its length and it was worn around Thor's waist. However, in its two most recent appearances, the belt was silver in color, was composed of a series of connected rectangular segments and was so much longer that, when worn by Thor, it wrapped around his waist, his torso and his right thigh. Since this significant change in the belt has not been officially explained, one can only presume that Jagrfelm must have reshaped it while he was fashioning the Gauntlet of Tomorrows and the Shield of Life in Thor (Vol. 2) #25.