Editing Thunderbolt

{{short description|Symbolic representation of lightning}}
{{Other uses}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2019}}
[[File:Epirus234bc.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Zeus]]' head and thunderbolt on a coin from [[Epirus]], 234 BC.]]
[[File:Greek Silver Stater of Olympia (Elis).jpg|thumb|150px|The thunderbolt pattern with an [[eagle]] on a coin from [[Olympia, Greece]], 432-c.421 BC.]]
[[File:Capua Æ Quadrunx 670058.jpg|thumb|150px|Zeus' head and thunderbolt on a coin from [[Capua]], [[Campania]], 216-211 BC.]]
[[File:Pt eagle.png|thumb|150px|[[Ptolemaic kingdom|Ptolemaic]] coin showing the [[Eagle of Zeus]], holding a thunderbolt]]

A '''thunderbolt''' or '''lightning bolt''' is a symbolic representation of [[lightning]] when accompanied by a loud [[thunder]]clap. In Indo-European mythology, the thunderbolt was identified with the [[Proto-Indo-European mythology#Sky Father|'Sky Father']]; this association is also found in later [[Ancient Greek religion|Hellenic]] representations of [[Zeus]] and [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic]] descriptions of the ''[[vajra]]'' wielded by the god [[Indra]]. It may have been a symbol of cosmic order, as expressed in the fragment from [[Heraclitus]] describing "the Thunderbolt that steers the course of all things".<ref>[[Hermann Alexander Diels|DK]] B64.</ref>

In its original usage the word may also have been a description of the consequences of a close approach between two planetary cosmic bodies, as [[Plato]] suggested in ''[[Timaeus (dialogue)|Timaeus]]'',<ref>{{cite book|last=Plato|title=Timaeus|year=2008|publisher=1st World Publishing|isbn=9781421893945|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uzn3RLipf4wC&pg=PA15|access-date=August 3, 2012|page=15, paragraph 22C-D in original}}</ref> or, according to [[Victor Clube]], meteors,<ref>{{cite book|last=Clube|first=Victor|title=The cosmic serpent: a catastrophist view of earth history|year=1982|publisher=Universe Books|isbn=9780876633793|author2=Napier, Bill|page=[https://archive.org/details/cosmicserpent00vict/page/173 173ff]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/cosmicserpent00vict/page/173}}</ref> though this is not currently the case. As a divine manifestation the thunderbolt has been a powerful symbol throughout history, and has appeared in many [[mythology|mythologies]]. Drawing from this powerful association, the thunderbolt is often found in military symbolism and [[semiotic]] representations of electricity.

== 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>

== In the modern world ==
The thunderbolt or lightning bolt continues into the modern world as a prominent symbol; it has entered modern [[heraldry]] and military iconography.

=== In iconography ===
* The thunderbolt is used as an electrical symbol.<ref>{{cite web|title=On Graphical Symbols|url=http://www.ce-mag.com/archive/2001/janfeb/Peckham28.html|publisher=Compliance Engineering|access-date=August 3, 2012|author=Geoffrey Peckham|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216085742/http://ce-mag.com/archive/2001/janfeb/Peckham28.html|archive-date=December 16, 2011}}</ref>
* The thunderbolt is also used as a [[hazard symbol]] indicating dangers from electricity.
* A thunderbolt is used in the [[AC/DC#mediaviewer/File:Acdc logo band.svg|logo]] of the Australian hard rock band [[AC/DC]].
* A thunderbolt is used in the logo of the German car manufacturer [[Opel]].
* The [[Flash and Circle|logo]] of the [[People's Action Party]] in [[Singapore]].
* The thunderbolt used by [[squatters]] as their insignia.
* Numerous [[fascist]] organizations such as the [[Schutzstaffel]], the [[British Union of Fascists]], and the [[Union of Bulgarian National Legions]] (SBNL) have historically used thunderbolts as their symbols.

=== In fiction ===
* In the [[DC Universe]], the thunderbolt is the symbol on the chest (or entire front torso) of the costumes worn by [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Captain Marvel]], [[the Flash]], [[Garth Ranzz]], [[Ayla Ranzz]], [[Black Lightning]], [[Static (DC Comics)|Static]], and [[Livewire (DC Comics)|Livewire]].
* In the [[Marvel Universe]] the thunderbolt is the symbol on the front torso of the costumes worn by [[Electro (Marvel Comics)|Electro]], [[Quicksilver (Marvel Comics)|Quicksilver]], [[Black Bolt]], [[Speed Demon (character)|Speed Demon]], [[Ms. Marvel]], and is also the name of a [[Thunderbolts (comics)|superhero team]].
* The thunderbolt is used in the logo of the ''[[Power Rangers]]'' franchise.
* In the ''Harry Potter'' [[Harry Potter|novel]] and [[Harry Potter (film series)|film series]], both the scar on [[Harry Potter (character)|Harry]]'s forehead and the stylized "P" in the logo are shaped like thunderbolts.
* In the novel ''[[The Godfather (novel)|The Godfather]]'', "being hit with the thunderbolt" is an Italian expression (''colpo di fulmine'') referring to a man being spellbound at the sight of a beautiful woman (like the so-called ''[[love at first sight]]'').  The novel's emerging main character is affected in this fashion and eventually marries a woman whose appearance initially affects him in this way.

== Unicode code points ==
* {{Unichar|2607}}
Related forms have these [[code points]]:
* {{Unichar|21AF}}
* {{Unichar|2B4D}}
* {{Unichar|26A1}}
* {{Unichar|1F5F2}}
* {{Unichar|03DF}}
* {{Unichar|2621}}

== Gallery ==
{{Gallery
|width=160
|height=170
|Image:Thunderbolts.PNG|Typical [[cartoon]] representations of thunderbolts (lightning bolts)
|Image:Royal Engineers Ensign.png|Thunderbolts represented on the [[Royal Engineers]]' ensign
|File:Military service mark of the United States Air Force.svg|Emblem of the [[United States Air Force]]
|File:Rubens - Vulcano forjando los rayos de Júpiter.jpg|''[[Vulcan (mythology)|Vulcan]] forging the thunderbolts of Jupiter''<br>(by [[Pieter Paul Rubens]])
|File:CircleN.svg|Thunderbolt through circle used as [[squatters]]' symbol
|File:Sbnl.svg|Thunderbolt through circle in the [[Union of Bulgarian National Legions]] (SBNL) emblem
|File:Opel-Logo 2017.svg|[[Opel]]'s logo represents thunderbolt
|File:SAC Shield.svg|The shield of [[Strategic Air Command]] shows a mailed hand holding an [[olive branch]] and thunderbolts
}}

== See also ==
* [[Mjölnir]]
* [[Thunderstone (folklore)]]
* [[Vajra]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wiktionary}}
{{Commons}}
* [http://weathernews.jp/thunder/ Quasi-realtime thunderbolt information in Japan (Japanese)]

[[Category:Jupiter (god)]]
[[Category:Lightning]]
[[Category:Mythological weapons]]
[[Category:Objects in Greek mythology]]
[[Category:Zeus]]