FINNISH MYTHOLOGY

FINNISH SUPERNATURAL BEINGS

• Tapio was one of the major gods of the ancient Finns. Tapiola, the woods, was his kingdom. He was the god of hunters and hunting and master of the spirits of the woods. Hunting was an essential activity in those days and it practically kept people alive. So the role of Tapio was very prominent. Tapio could bring the game to you -or take it away. You were a guest in his woods and hunted HIS animals. To ensure the favour of Tapio offerings were made. For this purpose there were special places in the wood called Tapion pöyta, the Table of Tapio.

THE ELVES & SPIRITS

• Elves and gnomes were an integral part of every day life in the ancient days. There were house elves, barn elves, mill elves, fire elves etc. but also evil gnomes. The elves were also capable of killing if they were really mad.
• Spirit of the Forest was a curious character. She was a beautiful maiden but when she turned her back she looked like an old tree. She was attracted by hunters, and the hunters were attracted by her. At camp fires there were told tales about sons of hunters and the Spirit of the Forest. Anyway the light of the camp fire in the wood attracted the Spirit and she might spend the night by the fire, guarding it and the safety of the hunter. She might also wake the man and lure him to make love with her, and afterwards reward him by a good catch.

WHAT THE SYMBOLS REPRESENT

• So we chose the symbol of stone because a lot of the Finnish would paint and carve drawling into stone to tell stories and to show direction. You could also carry a rock which some did because it was easier than having to remember where to go.
• http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Dr-Fi/Finnish-Mythology.html

CHARACTERISTICS & EMOTIONS

• Joukahainen's sister, drowns herself after being offered in marriage by Vainamoinen
• If they didn't like what was going on in life they would often harm themselves

MYTHICAL PLAcES & CHARACTERS

• Louhi- mother of the Maiden & an evil woman Lemminkainen- handsome man & adventurous & a hero.

CREATION MYTH

• The Kalevala begins with the story of Ilmatar, who descends from the heavens to the sea, where she is tossed about for 700 years. During that time, a seabird lays eggs on her knee. When Ilmatar moves, the eggs break, and the pieces form the physical world and the sun and the moon.

EXPLANATORY MYTH

• Cristfried Ganander's Mythologia Fennica, published in 1789, was the first truly scholarly foray into Finnish mythology. In the 19th century, research into Finnish folklore intensified. Scholars like Elias Lönnrot, J.F. Cajan, M.A. Castrén, and D.E.D. Europaeus travelled around Finland writing down folk poetry sung by runo singers.
• http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_mythology