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Finnish mythology commonly refers of the folklore of Finnish paganism, of which a modern revival is practiced by a small percentage of the Finnish people. It has many shared features with Estonian and other Finnic mythologies, but also with neighbouring Baltic, Slavic and, to a lesser extent, Norse mythologies.
The following is a list of gods, goddesses, and many other divine and semi-divine figures from ancient Greek mythology and ancient Greek religion.
- Forest
- Water
- Air
- General
- Finnish Mythology Creatures and Folklore
Tapio
Tapio is considered among Finnish folklore creatures to be the king of the forest. According to the legend, Tapio rules over the land called Tapiola, a deep forest. The face of Tapio is often depicted in art as made of leaves and wood. Hunters used to pray to Tapio before embarking on their journeys. Tapio’s wife is Mielikki, the goddess of the forest, and their children include three daughters, including Tuulikki, and son Nyyrikki, who is considered a god of hunting and hunters. In literatur...
Peikko
Peikko, which translates directly to troll, can be big or small and typically lives in the mountains or the forest, hiding in caves or behind trees. Peikko is considered to be dumb and slow, but due to its evil tendencies, should be feared. Peikko is featured in Finnish folklore in some notable books, including the classic Seitsemän Veljestäby Aleksis Kivi. Although Peikko is usually thought of as ugly and mean, artists and writers have created cuter versions as well: the Moomins, created by...
Keiju/Keijukainen
Keiju is a fairy or a sprite that lives deep in the forest. Keiju is known to be a beautiful and tiny creature that prefers to avoid humans. Many other beautiful creatures in Finnish mythology, including the Metsänneito, are considered to be types of Keiju.
Ahti, Vellamo
Among Finnish mythical creatures, Ahti is the king of water. First mentioned in the works of Mikael Agricola in 1551, Ahti is also featured in the Kalevalaand several other notable Finnish novels and poems. Ahti is often depicted in art as a bearded, muscular man wielding a trident, similar to the Greek god Poseidon. Fishermen used to pray to Ahti for good fortune on their endeavors. The wife of Ahti is Vellamo, the goddess of water, who is believed to control the winds and storms and is ther...
Näkki
Näkki is a water creature that is considered to be evil and conniving. Näkki is female (interestingly, the similar character Näck in Swedish mythology is often depicted as a handsome man) but can morph into anything in order to lure swimmers to danger. Back in the day, children were warned against Näkki — according to the legend, Näkki loved to drown children in the waters and was particularly fond of deep, muddy waters, like ponds or swamps. In modern Finnish literature, Näkki is a main char...
Iku-Turso
Iku-Turso is a large sea monster. The legend of Iku-Turso traces back to the 1500s and was featured prominently in the Kalevala. The exact appearance of Iku-Turso is not known and depictions of the creature vary, but all accounts describe it as huge in stature and terrifying in demeanor — in fact, it has been compared to the Loch Ness monster. Iku-Turso is a loner and a recluse and hates to be disturbed by humans.
Ukko/Akka
Ukko, the god of weather and thunder, is one of the most important and powerful gods in Finnish mythology. Ancient Finns considered Ukko their biggest god due to his ability to create rain, which was vitally important for the harvest season. Ukko was also believed to aid with hunting, magic, and battle. In some stories, Ukko was referred to as Ylijumala, a Supreme God. Before the arrival of Christianity, the Midsummer festival that is still prominent in Finland (and other Nordic countries) wa...
Ilmatar
Ilmatar is a female character, the daughter of the sky, in Kalevala. In the epic poem, Ilmatar gives birth to Väinämöinen, who is the main character, but he is born as a grown man. Ilmatar is believed to be an aerial spirit, hence the name: ilmameans air, and Ilmatar could be translated to Airress. She is often depicted as a beautiful, distant character who spends her time lounging on clouds and looking at the world beneath her.
Väinämöinen
Väinämöinen is the hero and the main character of Kalevala, and thus one of the most important and prominent characters in Finnish mythology. He has been depicted in countless pieces of art, perhaps most famously in the prolific works of the artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela. Väinämöinen, like most of the characters in Finnish mythology, was first mentioned in the Agricola list of demigods and creatures in 1551. He was mentioned in numerous folk poems and tales after that, but Kalevalafinally made...
Sampo
Sampo is an object instead of a character, but it plays a prominent role in Finnish mythology. Sampo was known to be created by a blacksmith, but its shape and exact purpose are left to interpretation in Kalevala. Some art depicts Sampo as a mill or a compass, while others describe it as chest or even an iron shield. In Kalevala, Sampo is able to produce food like grains and salt, and even money. In one of the most pivotal scenes in Kalevala, Sampo is stolen and eventually destroyed.
Tuoni/Tuonetar/Tuonela
In Finnish mythology, Tuoni is the god of the underworld, Tuonela, which he leads with his wife, Tuonetar. Tuonela is considered to be the land of death and destruction and in Kalevala, it is described as a place to avoided at all costs. Tuoni and Tuonetar pester the souls of the dead in Tuonela. The land of the dead was believed, however, to carry particular wisdom and therefore the living would sometimes visit to receive particular spells or information.
As you can see, Finnish folklore has a creature for every part of nature! Whether they were meant to be feared, respected, or admired, Finnish mythological creatures were a pivotal part of the birth of Finland as the country that it is today, and helped the country find its identity as it came to its independence. Many of the characters continue to...
By exploring the gods, goddesses, heroes, and creatures of Finnish mythology, we can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural identity of Finland and the significance of these ancient beliefs in shaping its history and traditions.
Oct 16, 2023 · This mythology is full of stories and legends of heroes, gods and mythical beings who did legendary feats that greatly influenced the lifestyle of the Finns. Their most important work was “The Kalevala”, which is considered their “national epic” .
- Carol Woods
Greek mythology is the body of myths originally told by the ancient Greeks, and a genre of ancient Greek folklore, today absorbed alongside Roman mythology into the broader designation of classical mythology.
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Aug 15, 2022 · What makes Finnish mythology unique? Finnish mythology and The Kalevala have some pretty creative stories! Magic singing battles, the valuable Sampo, and the firefox are all unique ideas rooted in Finland. Another fascinating trait is how Finnish mythology values nature and the forest.
