Sampo

sampo (prop of life?) In the Finnish epic poem The Kalevala, magic object forged by the smith Ilmarinen for Louhi, the evil mistress of Pohjola, the Northland, as part payment for the hand of her daughter, the Maiden of Pohjola.

Louhi set up the magic sampo in a hillside cave, where it took root, producing prosperity for her land. Vainamoinen, the culture hero, determined to steal the sampo from Louhi. He constructed a ship, and the smith Ilmarinen forged a sword for him. Both then set off for Pohjola. On the way the hero Lemminkainen called to them from the shore, asking to accompany them. They took him along, but during the voyage their boat was struck by a giant pike. Vainamoinen killed the pike and made a harp with which he lulled all of the people of Pohjola to sleep. With the help of an ox, the three heroes stole the sampo and started home. However, Louhi awoke and sent fog and wind after the three, causing Vainamoinen’s harp to fall overboard. Louhi and her men pursued them in a boat and caught up with them. A battle ensued in which the sampo fell into the lake and was broken to pieces. Only a few pieces floated to the shore. Vainamoinen then planted them for good luck.

In The Kalevala the sampo is pictured as a three-sided mill, one side or face grinding out grain, one salt, and one money, all in unlimited amounts. Its kirjokansai (lid) is described as being of “many colors.” Yet scholars are not at all sure what the sampo actually represents. Some see it as a magic mill, others as a symbol of the North Star, and yet others as a dragon.

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow– Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante