Category: Finnish Mythology

Kullervo (gold, dear one) In the Finnish epic poem The Kalevala (runes 31–36), a tragic hero who unknowingly raped his sister, then in remorse committed…

Kalevala, The (the land of heroes) Finnish epic poem compiled by Elias Lönnrot from oral traditions in Karelia, now part of Russia. The first edition…

Joukahainen (Youkahainen) (genius of ice and snow?) In the Finnish epic poem The Kalevala, an evil youth who entered into a contest with Vainamoinen and…

Hittola (demon’s domain) In Finnish mythology, a dreary region with charred and burned heaths and hills, not far from Pohjola, the Northland. It is filled…

Antero Vipunen (Wipunen) In the Finnish epic poem The Kalevala (rune 17), primeval giant who gave charms to the culture hero Vainamoinen. Once, wanting to…

Description: “Old woman of the dead.” Has charge of the underworld. Rules over underworld.

Description: The “mother of water” was responsible for guiding fish into the nets of the hungry. She is a very ancient goddess; her worship was…

Description: The sea goddess lived underwater with her daughters, the waves, who tended cattle and raised mysterious crops on the ocean floor.

Vainamoinen (Vainanoinen, Wainamoinen) (river’s mouth?) In the Finnish epic poem The Kalevala, a culture hero, son of Luonnotar, daughter of the air, who brought about…

Description: Thunder god. King of the gods, successor to Jumala. He was an elder of the universe and his existence guaranteed its survival. He remained…