Meaning of the new Thunder Hammer

Khel · Post by **Khel** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:06 pm

With the 5th Ed book out (I read about it in WD343), it shows us the new Thunder Hammer. I'm not that well up on Warhammer 40,000 history and WD343 hint at meanings of the design of the Thunder Hammer (such as the emperor on the shield, the 12 spikes), so could someone explain to me the full relevance of the new Thunder Hammer design?

Post by **Rork** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 5:49 pm

I don't think it meant the thunder hammer in general, but just that specific logo design.

The 12 spikes, for example, are likely to represent the High Lords of Terra.

Ansob. · Post by **Ansob.** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:25 pm

Thunder hammers were always meant to be incredibly individualised weapons, anyway - a bit like the "magic" swords of our legends. Technically, so are power swords, but they're still fairly common - thunder hammers are ancient and holy relics.

Khel · Post by **Khel** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:26 am

The Lion and the Hawk on the hammer head? What does that mean. I presume the Emperor is fighting Horus on the shield itself?

Kyrel · Post by **Kyrel** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:37 pm

Oh gods. All these little details could mean a whole lot of things. The 12 spikes could be signifying the 12 lords of Terra, or it could represent the fist 12 foundings of the Space Marines. Or it could perhaps represent 12 of the original Chapters of Space Marines (I'm too rusty in my 40K lore to remember how many Chapters were originally created). I suppose that the spikes could also represent some of the different enemies that oppose the Imperium (how many races are there in 40K by now?). The Lion and Eagle could be references to Horus and the Emperor, or it could represent the Space Marines and the Imperial Guard or just the Imperium itself. The Emperor struggling with two serpents could represent two major threats to the Imperium, i.e. the external enemies, and the internal ones. The physical dangers and the subversive ones.
The skull could represent Death, or it could represent the Adeptus Mechanicus, or perhaps the Inquisition, or Imperial justice, or the administration. The pictures on the Purity Seals could mean...Well, I have no idea really. I suppose that they could mean anything really. Traits that the Imperium considers to be vitues perhaps, or maybe it's suppose to represent individual heroes of the Imperium.
Basically, go to town with your own interpretations. I doubt that GW will ever come out and tell you what the various signs, symbols, and iconography is meant to represent.

Lordofthenight · Post by **Lordofthenight** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:41 pm

Oh gods. All these little details could mean a whole lot of things. The 12 spikes could be signifying the 12 lords of Terra, or it could represent the fist 12 foundings of the Space Marines. Or it could perhaps represent 12 of the original Chapters of Space Marines (I'm too rusty in my 40K lore to remember how many Chapters were originally created).

There were 20 (though two are unknown)

Belial · Post by **Belial** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 4:38 am

Kyrel wrote:The Lion and Eagle could be references to Horus and the Emperor,

Wouldn't it be more logical for Lion 'El Johnson to be represented by a lion? Isn't he called "The Lion"(for obvious reasons)?

Post by **Drainial** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:25 pm

But unless this particular hammer is owned by one of the Dark Angels (not all that likly) the chances of him being represented are small. At a guess, if it means anything I would have thought of the IG first, as they are the main fighting arm of the imperium. But it could be many things.

Lordofthenight · Post by **Lordofthenight** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 2:17 am

Wouldn't it be more logical for Lion 'El Johnson to be represented by a lion? Isn't he called "The Lion"(for obvious reasons)?

Who's the Eagle then? Fulgrim? (Emperors Children having an eagle's claw as their sign).

Gensuke626 · Post by **Gensuke626** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:03 am

The Thunderhammer is there because it is Awesome and Win. Beyond that...the Game is called "Warhammer"

The Eagle and the Lion most likely represent the Emperor as both the Proud, Majestic leader and the Vicious Hawk, ready to strike when needed.

The shield, I believe, does represent the 12 High Lords. 2 of the symbols on the shield clearly bears the Mark of the Inqusition...The cross-barred I...and one of them seems to have the half-cog used to represent the Adeptus Mechanicus. The other symbols are too dull to make out.

I believe that the symbol in the middle does represent the Emperor fighting Horus, Or Just fighting Chaos in general... It may also be symbolic of Man (The angel) constantly fighting against the twin Evils of Chaos and Xenos.

That's my take on it anyhow.

Coldeyes · Post by **Coldeyes** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:35 am

most likely just because of the title of warhammer 40K, they probobly just sketched a thunderhammer and worked the symbols they wanted to portray afterwards.

the thunderhammer is a mighty weapon against the forces of chaos and has been proven to be the weapon of choice by many space marine commanders