Editing Thunderbolt (section)

== In religion and mythology ==
{{see also|Lightning in religion|List of thunder gods}}
[[File:Puteal de la Moncloa (M.A.N. Madrid) 03.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Neo-Attic]] bas-relief sculpture of [[Jupiter (mythology)|Jupiter]], holding a thunderbolt in his right hand; detail from the ''Moncloa [[Puteal]]'' (Roman, 2nd century), National Archaeological Museum, Madrid|alt=Bas-relief of Jupiter, nude from the waist up and seated on a throne]]
Lightning plays a role in many mythologies, often as the weapon of a [[sky god]] and [[weather god]]. As such, it is an unsurpassed method of dramatic instantaneous retributive destruction: thunderbolts as divine weapons can be found in many mythologies.
*in the [[Hebrew Bible|Torah]], the word for 'arrow', {{lang|he-Latn|khets}} {{lang|he|חֵץ}}, is used for the "arrows" of [[YHWH]]/[[Elohim]], which are represented as lightnings in [[Habakuk]] 3:11, but also as general calamities inflicted on men as divine punishment in [[Deuteronomy]] 32:42, [[Psalm 64]]:7, [[Book of Job|Job]] 6:4, etc.
*In [[Christianity]], One of its most significant verses is Deuteronomy 6:4, Verses 6:4–5 were also quoted by [[Jesus]] in Mark 12:28–34 as the [[Great Commandment]]. The [[Second Coming]] of [[Jesus]] is compared to lightning ({{Bible|Matthew|24: 27}}, {{Bible|Luke|17: 24}}). With the establishment of Christianity, it passed into popular belief that lightning is the fire that leaves behind the chariot of the Prophet [[Elijah]] as it runs through the sky, while thunder is the rattle of the feet of the horses that drag his chariot. According to another tradition, lightning and thunder are more island-like{{Clarification needed|reason=What does island-like mean? Like an island in what way?|date=November 2024}}, as the cannons fired by the [[Michael (archangel)|Archangel Michael]] against [[Satan]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lightning Bolt- Symbol And Meaning|url=https://mymythstories.com/en/the-lightning-beliefs-and-awe-in-cultures/|access-date=2021-11-16|website=My Myth Stories|language=en-US}}</ref>
* In [[Hittites|Hittite]] (and [[Hurrian]]) mythology, a triple thunderbolt was one symbol of [[Teshub]] (Tarhunt).
* In [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic religion]] (and later [[Hindu mythology]]) the god [[Indra]] is the god of lightning. His main weapon is the thunderbolt ([[Vajra]]).
* In [[Greek mythology]], the thunderbolt is a weapon given to [[Zeus]] by the [[Cyclopes]]. Based on this, in [[Roman mythology]], the thunderbolt is a weapon given to [[Jupiter (mythology)|Jupiter]] by the Cyclopes, and is thus one of the emblems of Jupiter, often depicted on Greek and Roman coins and elsewhere as an eagle holding in its claws a thunderbolt which resembles in form a bundle of  crossed sticks.<ref>''Dictionary of Roman Coins'' <!--Where's the rest of the publication info? The publisher, the date, the author or editor, etc.--></ref>
* In [[Celtic mythology]], [[Taranis]] is the god of thunder, in [[Irish language|Irish]], [[Tuireann]].
* In [[Norse mythology]], [[Thor]] is specifically the god of thunder and lightning, wielding [[Mjölnir]].
* In [[Slavic paganism|Slavic mythology]], [[Perun]] is the god of the sky, controlling storms, thunder and lightning and wields the [[Axe of Perun]].
* In [[Finnish mythology]], [[Ukko]] is the god of thunder and lightning, wielding [[Ukonvasara]].
* In [[Turkish mythology]], [[Bai-Ulgan|Bayülgen]] creates the thunderbolts.
* In [[Maya mythology]], [[Huracan]] is sometimes represented as three thunderbolts.
* In [[Guaraní mythology]], [[Tupã (mythology)|Tupã]] is the embodiment of thunder and has power over lightning.
* In [[Cherokee]] mythology, the [[Ani Hyuntikwalaski]] ("thunder beings") cause lightning fire in a hollow [[sycamore]] tree.
* In [[Ojibway]] mythology, thunder is created by the [[Thunderbird (mythology)|Thunderbirds]] (Nimkiig or Binesiiwag), which can be both benevolent and malevolent to human beings.
* In [[Odinani|Igbo mythology]], the thunderbolt is the weapon of [[Amadioha]]/Amadiora.
* In [[Yoruba mythology]], the thunderbolt is the weapon of [[Shango]].
* In [[Tibetan Buddhism]], the [[Vajra]] or thunderbolt is symbol of [[Vajrayana]] branch.
* In [[Paleo-Balkan mythology]], Zibelthiurdos (also "Zbelsurdos", "Zibelthurdos"): a god recognized as similar to the Greek [[Zeus]] as a wielder of lightning and thunderbolts.
* In [[Navajo mythology]], the hero twins, Naʼídígishí and Naayééʼ Neizghání, have bows that shoot thunderbolts as arrows.
* In [[Chinese mythology]], [[Lei Gong]] uses thunderbolts as a weapon and his wife, [[Dian Mu]], creates the accompanying lightning flashes with her mirror.

=== Thunderstones ===
The name "thunderbolt" or "thunderstone" has also been traditionally applied to the fossilised [[rostrum (anatomy)|rostra]] of [[belemnoids]]. The origin of these bullet-shaped stones was not understood, and thus a mythological explanation of stones created where a lightning struck has arisen.<ref>
{{cite web
 |url        = http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/taxa/inverts/mollusca/cephalopoda.php
 |title      = The Cephalopoda: Squids, octopuses, nautilus, and ammonites
 |last       = Vendetti
 |first      = Jan
 |year       = 2006
 |publisher  = UC Berkeley
 |access-date = 2013-06-07
}}</ref>