HomeBasics of the Finnic mythology
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Basics of the Finnic mythology
Elaini Wed 6 Oct - 21:03
Here is some basic information and study sites about the Finnic mythology. If you know any more of the reliable ones, please tell them in the replies and I may update the original post.
The beliefs of Finnic mythology likely date back to 500 BC and earlier. Out of these mythologies the Finnish one is well documented in the form of Kalevala (pron.), a collection of epic poetry compiled by Elias Lönnrot. It also has a sister collection called Kanteletar (pron.). He made the otherwise separate poems into a solid story but if you wish to read the poems in their original, unedited forms then they're found in SKVR.
The closest word for an Elf in Finnish language is Haltija (pron.) (plural Haltijat) which also means a spirit and a keeper. They were quite local and each had an area, element or a part of nature to watch over. As they were generally spirits of nature and in control of it, people would try to appease them with gifts for a better living. They could choose to help people though not always for free.
One of three human souls was also a Haltija and its role was to hold the nature of the person and keep him healthy in body and mind. If a person had a good fortune and strength and was happy, it was said that his Haltija was also strong. If he was haltioissaan (pron.) ("in his Elves") it meant that he was in euphoria, excited by an Elf (and still does). If he was depressed, he had probably lost his Haltija.
While the most powerful of the Haltijat were actually gods and goddesses, the others might as well been an invisible magical force. They could take a human form as well, ranging from a stunning young maiden to a small old man or a giant. Some were also shape shifters.
The Estonian mythology does have similarities with the Finnish one, having a very similar language and culture. Their national epic is the Kalevipoeg (pron.) by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald.
The beliefs of Finnic mythology likely date back to 500 BC and earlier. Out of these mythologies the Finnish one is well documented in the form of Kalevala (pron.), a collection of epic poetry compiled by Elias Lönnrot. It also has a sister collection called Kanteletar (pron.). He made the otherwise separate poems into a solid story but if you wish to read the poems in their original, unedited forms then they're found in SKVR.
The closest word for an Elf in Finnish language is Haltija (pron.) (plural Haltijat) which also means a spirit and a keeper. They were quite local and each had an area, element or a part of nature to watch over. As they were generally spirits of nature and in control of it, people would try to appease them with gifts for a better living. They could choose to help people though not always for free.
One of three human souls was also a Haltija and its role was to hold the nature of the person and keep him healthy in body and mind. If a person had a good fortune and strength and was happy, it was said that his Haltija was also strong. If he was haltioissaan (pron.) ("in his Elves") it meant that he was in euphoria, excited by an Elf (and still does). If he was depressed, he had probably lost his Haltija.
While the most powerful of the Haltijat were actually gods and goddesses, the others might as well been an invisible magical force. They could take a human form as well, ranging from a stunning young maiden to a small old man or a giant. Some were also shape shifters.
The Estonian mythology does have similarities with the Finnish one, having a very similar language and culture. Their national epic is the Kalevipoeg (pron.) by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald.
Literature in various sites:
Language learning tools:
Elaini- Admin
- Age : 40
Location : Finland
Join date : 2021-09-25
Posts : 33 -
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