(1997). The folklore archive maintained by the Finnish Literature Society is the largest in the whole world. Europaeus travelled around Finland writing down folk poetry sung by runo (poem) singers, many of whom were tietäjät (traditional ritual specialists). In the Kalevala the bird is a pochard that lays seven eggs (six of gold and one of iron); examples from other stories include a swallow, a loon and a mythical giant eagle, kokko. Viimatar - Goddess of the cold wind. The story of Lemminkäinen exists in several versions. One of these folktales, recorded on a 1873 field trip to the Kola Peninsula, was first published by the Russian author Vassili Nemirovich-Danchenko (Nemirovich-Danchenko 1877: 209; … This Sielulintu, "the soul-bird", protected the soul from being lost in the paths of dreams. ... Finnish Folk Tales for Children. Familiar Faces III: Susan Walker, What a Talker! If the shaman had a proper reason, then a boat would come to take them over. The tales of this hero are recorded in the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic. These have had a profound effect on Finnish mentality. Best played with headphones. In Modern Finnish usage, the word lintukoto means an imaginary happy, warm and peaceful paradise-like place. He makes all his appearances in myths solely by natural effects when invoked. Still a brave shaman could travel to Tuonela in trance to ask for the forefathers' guidance. (Helsinki: Finnish Litrerature Society, 2000), pp. The sky was believed to be the upper cover of the egg; alternately it was seen as a tent, which was supported by a column at the north pole, below the north star. About: The folklore and fairy tales of Finland are often heartwarming tales of bravery and goodness, where kindness is rewarded, and the simple life praised. Kuusi, Matti, Keith Bosley, and Michael Branch. Animal stories and nature tales are the most widespread form of Finnish folk tales. The species of the bird and the number of eggs varies between different stories. Cristfried Ganander's Mythologia Fennica, published in 1789, was the first truly scholarly foray into Finnish mythology. His books were sponsored by the Society of Finnish Literature and used in its campaign to bring back the Finnish language to the Finns at a time when Swedish was the official language of the country. After Agricola wrote about the 12 gods, it wasn't until the 19th century when someone wrote down stories from Finnish folklore. As … Discover more than 3,800 classic tales plus new stories by fairy tale fans. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Nearly 30 stories concerning the wild reindeer Meandash have been recorded from the Sami of the Kola Peninsula (see Table 1). At the edges of Earth was Lintukoto, "the home of the birds", a warm region in which birds lived during the winter. Huhta presents contemporary characters and still life imagery, interpreting new … Vuotar – Maker of salves. Of the animals, the most sacred was the bear, whose real name was never uttered out loud, lest his kind be unfavorable to the hunting. Vedenemä was described to be an erotic character who had big breasts, long green hair and green skin. All the tales in her book – which these stories are from – are from the folklore collections of Eero Salmelainen (1830-87), one of the scholars who collected Finnish stories. The viper with the saw-figure on its skin has been seen as a symbol of thunder. First in a planned series on myths, legends and folklore. Stories about mermaids are common in south-western Finland where as stories about male water spirits are more common in east Finland. Translated by Susan Sinisalo. Stories about the mermaids can be mostly found from the coast of southern and western Finland. Folk Poetry and Songs (Printed books) Finnish Folk Poetry: Epic: an Anthology in Finnish and English. The Finnish word for thunder, "ukkonen" (little Ukko) or "ukonilma" (Ukko's weather), is derived from his name. Go to full list of Finnish fairy tales and folk tales. Familiar Faces II: Jane, Jane Don't Complain! This is a 19th century work of epic poetry that has since been regarded as the national epic of Finland. Waterfowl are very common in tales, and also in stone paintings and carvings, indicating their great significance in the beliefs of ancient Finns. Through this whirl souls could go to the outside of the world to the land of dead, Tuonela. © 2020 Fairytalez.com, a VareGuide / Weider Media production. The first historical mention of Finnish folk religion was by the bishop and Lutheran reformer Mikael Agricola (1510–1555) in the preface to his 1551 Finnish translation of the Psalms. Väinämöinen – Mythical shaman and a wizard. Familiar Faces I: Mary, Mary, So Contrary! Finnish pagans also believed in the power of words and elves, as well as visions and signs. The tales tell the heroic history of Finland through the age of heroes, right up to the arrival of Christianity and the departure of magic. Finns and Karelians also had their fair share of reindeer tales and songs, like the Songs of Vaadin.Vaadin (which is also the name for a female reindeer) was created by Seppo Ilmarinen (of Finnish epic poem Kalevala fame) to assist him on his journeys for knowledge. Wolves are Louhi's sacred animals, and in pre-written times she was honored during Talvipäivän Tasaus (the winter solstice). The Etiology of an Etiology”, Oral Tradition 15: 145-158. A Little Mouse That Was a Princess. Ukko's weapon was a hammer, axe or sword, by which he struck lightning. But just like Agricola, Lönnrot took some artistic license with the stories. [1] Agricola supplied a list of purported deities of the Häme (in Swedish, Tavastia) and Karjala (Karelia), twelve deities in each region,[1][2] with their supposed functions briefly set out in verse form. He created thunderstorms also by driving with his chariot in clouds. Tapio, god of hunt, animals, trees and forest Mielikki, goddess of forest, nature and animals, Tapio's wife, sometimes also referred as the mistress of the forest. The movement of the stars was explained to be caused by the sky-dome's rotation around the North Star and itself. A work called the Kalevala (pronounced kah-luh-VAH-luh), which the Finnish people consider their national epic, contains many of the legends. About: Danish folklore finds its roots in Norse Mythology and Scandinavian folk tales. Väinämöinen is an important figure in Finnish folklore, and has been variously referred to as a hero, a wizard, a shaman, and a god. Cajan, M.A. It is their own language and vocabulary that sets Finnish folklore apart from other oral traditions, and their own unique customs and games that get mentioned in the stories. It is their own language and vocabulary that sets Finnish folklore apart from other oral traditions, and their own unique customs and games that get mentioned in the stories. See more ideas about Mythology, Finnish, Myths. (1997). Read Finnish fairy tales by Parker Fillmore and enjoy unique and heartwarming folk tales from Finland. While most stories were meant to entertain, many also informed children of the dangers of the woods, or imparted societal values. While Ukko and his wife Akka ("old woman") mated, there was a thunderstorm. Go to full list of Finnish fairy tales and folk tales. It was an underground home or city for all the dead people, not only the good or the bad ones. ...you just crossed the threshold into the weird world of ancient Finnish mythology. Valk, Ülo (2000), “Ex Ovo Omnia: Where Does the Balto-Finnic Cosmogony Originate? Castrén, and D.E.D. The first historical mention of Finnish folk religion was by the bishop and Lutheran reformer Mikael Agricola (1510–1555) in the preface to his 1551 Finnish translation of the Psalms. Jun 19, 2012 - Finnish Mythology: Väinämöinen was the god of chants, songs and poetry. Read Danish folk tales, legends of Norse gods, and the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen now. Bear: Finnish Folk Tales for Children. Mighty Mikko (The Grateful Fox) The Three Chests. Most of the myths date from pre-Christian times and were passed from generation to generation by storytellers. The eggs were destroyed by a wave, but their pieces became the world; the upper cover became the sky dome, and the yolk became the sun.