The poetic designations for Týr are built on his sacrifice: he gave his hand when Fenrir was bound with Gleipnir, and his one-handedness is the basis for battle-kennings and his association with combat.
Hvernig skal kenna Tý? Svá at kalla hann einhendan ás, matara úlfsins ok Fenrisúlfs, sigurguð, bardagaguð. Hann er hvatastr ok djarfastr, ok hann ræðr sigri í orrostum. Hann er góðr til heita. Þat er sagt at sá er fróðr er Tý kallar.
How shall one name Týr? By calling him the one-handed god, feeder of the wolf and Fenrir, god of victory, god of battle. He is the most prompt and the most daring, and he rules over victory in battles. He is good to call upon. It is said that he who invokes Týr is wise.
Þá er Fenrir var bundinn með Gleipni lét hann Tý leggja hönd í munn sér at veði. En þá er Æsir neitaðu at leysa hann beit Fenrir höndina af honum við úlflið. Þvíat er hann einhendr. Hann mun berjast við Garm á Ragnarök ok munu bæðir drepa hverr annan.
When Fenrir was being bound with Gleipnir he required Týr to place a hand in his mouth as a pledge of good faith. But when the Æsir refused to release him, Fenrir bit the hand off at the wrist. For that reason he is one-handed. He shall fight against Garmr at Ragnarök and they shall slay each other.