Tuoni (death) In Finnish mythology, god of death who rules over Tuonela, the land of the dead, sometimes called Manala or Ulappala (wasteland). The land of the dead was reached by crossing a black bridge that spanned black water. In the river were kynsikoski (rapids) that made the way treacherous. On the black water glided a majestic swan. In his Four Legends for Orchestra Sibelius has two movements that deal with Tuonela. “The Swan of Tuonela” evokes, with English horn, the majestic swan, and “Lemminkainen in Tuonela” portrays the death of Lemminkainen at the hands of a herdsman after the hero attempted to kill the swan. Lemminkainen is murdered and his body borne on the icy waters to Tuonela. Tuoni is also called Mana or Kalma (grave).
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow
– Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante
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