Estonian Mythology is a complex of myths belonging to the folk heritage of Estonians. Look up myth in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Not much is known about authentic pre-Christian Estonian mythology, as it was a purely oral tradition and systematic recording of folk heritage started in only in the 19th century, by which time the old myths were all but extinct. Christianity is the current Good Article Collaboration of the week! Please help to improve this article to the highest of standards. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ...

One should also have in mind that in the different development stages of the Estonian mythology it would be more correct to talk about Baltic-Finnic or even Finno-Ugric mythology. The social organization of these tribes was rather homogenous; there was no organized religion, no professional priests, no scripture and indeed no written tradition at all. Similarly there was no complex pantheon or advanced system of myths. Finnic (Fennic, sometimes Baltic Finnic) may refer to Finnish-similar languages spoken close to the Gulf of Finland, i. ... Geographical distribution of Finno-Ugric (Finno-Permic in blue, Ugric in green). ... http://www. ... Roman Catholic priests in traditional clerical clothing. ... Many religions and spiritual movements hold certain written texts (or series of spoken legends not traditionally written down) to be sacred. ... A pantheon (Greek: παν, pan, all + θεός, theos, god), is a set of all the gods of a particular religion or mythology, such as the gods of Hinduism, Greek mythology, Norse mythology, and Egyptian mythology. ...

This was perceived as a shortcoming by 19th century Estonian and Baltic-German literati who started to create a "proper" mythological basis for an emerging nation, following the Herderian lines of national romanticism. Today it is difficult to tell how much of Estonian mythology as we know it today was actually constructed in the 19th and early 20th century. One should also note that some constructed elements are loans from Finnish mythology and may date back to the common Baltic-Finnic heritage. The Baltic Germans (German: Deutsch-Balten, Deutschbalten, sometimes incorrectly Baltendeutsche), were ethnically German inhabitants of the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea which forms today the countries of Estonia and Latvia. ... One of the most influential doctrines in history is that all humans are divided into groups called nations. ... Johann Gottfried Herder Johann Gottfried von Herder (August 25, 1744 – December 18, 1803), German poet, critic, theologian, and philosopher, is best known for his influence on authors such as Goethe and the role he played in the development of the larger cultural movement known as romanticism. ... Romanticism was an artistic and intellectual movement that originated in late 18th century Western Europe. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. ...

Says Endel Nirk: "the so called pseudo-mythology has played a greater role in Estonian national movement and the people’s life than for some other people their proven authentic mythology."

The oldest myths

Some traces of the oldest authentic myths may have survived in runo songs. There is a song about the birth of the world – a bird lays three eggs and starts to lay out the nestlings – one becomes Sun, one becomes Moon and one becomes the Earth. Other Finno-Ugric peoples have also myths according to which the world has emerged from an egg. The Sun is the star of our solar system. ... Bulk composition of the Moons mantle and crust estimated, weight percent Oxygen 42. ... Earth (IPA: , often referred to as the Earth, Terra, the World or Planet Earth) is the third planet in the solar system in terms of distance from the Sun, and the fifth largest. ...

The world of the Estonians’ ancestors turned around a pillar or a tree, to which the skies were nailed with North Star. Milky Way (Linnutee or Birds' Way in Estonian) was a branch of the World Tree (Ilmapuu) or the way by which birds moved (and took the souls of the deceased to the other world). These myths were based on animistic beliefs. The North Star is a title of the star best suited for navigation northwards. ... The Milky Way (a translation of the Latin Via Lactea, in turn derived from the Greek Γαλαξίας (Galaxias), sometimes referred to simply as the Galaxy), is a barred spiral galaxy of the Local Group. ... In certain Indo-European religions there was a belief in a world tree, such as Yggdrasil, in Norse mythology, an Oak in Slavic mythology and in Hinduism, a banyan tree. ... In religion, the term Animism is used in a number of ways. ...

Changes occurred in proto-Estonian mythology as a result of the contacts with Baltic and Germanic tribes, as well as the transition from hunting and gathering to farming. Personifications of celestial bodies, sky and weather deities and fertility gods gained importance in the world of the farmers. There may have been a sky and thunder god called Uku or Ukko, also Vanaisa (Grandfather). Most recorded legends and myths depicting Grandfather are however probably of later origin and feature Christian and/or foreign influences. Baltic can refer to: The Baltic Sea Council of the Baltic Sea States - an intergovernmental organization Baltic sea countries - countries with access to the Baltic Sea The Baltic region (Balticum) Baltic States - the independent countries of Estonia Latvia Lithuania Baltic Republics - term refers to the three Baltic states under the... In anthropology, the hunter-gatherer way of life is that led by certain societies of the Neolithic Era based on the exploitation of wild plants and animals. ... Farming, ploughing rice paddy, in Indonesia Agriculture is the process of producing food, feed, fiber and other desired products by cultivation of certain plants and the raising of domesticated animals (livestock). ... Phillipp Veitts Germania (1877) a personification of Germany. ... A typical daytime sky. ... Weather is a term that encompasses phenomena in the atmosphere of a planet. ... Look up deity in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Fertility is the ability of people or animals to produce healthy offspring in abundance. ...

It has been suggested, among others by ethnologist and former president Lennart Meri, that a meteorite which passed dramatically over populated regions and landed on the island of Saaremaa around 3,000-4,000 years ago was a cataclysmic event that may have influenced the mythology of Estonia and neighboring countries, especially those from whose vantage point a "sun" seemed to set in the east. [1] In the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala, cantos 47, 48 and 49 [2] can be interpreted as descriptions of the impact, the resulting tsunami and devastating forest fires. Lennart Meri Lennart Georg Meri (IPA: ˈlennɑr̺t ˈg̥eɔrg̥ ˈmer̺i) (March 29, 1929 – March 14, 2006) was a writer, film director and politician who served as President of Estonia from 1992 to 2001. ... This article is about the island. ... The Kalevala is an epic poem which Elias Lönnrot compiled from Finnish folk lore in the 19th century. ...

Estonian legends about giants (Kalevipoeg, Suur Tõll, Leiger) may be a reflection of Germanic (especially Scandinavian) influences. There are numerous legends interpreting various natural objects and features as traces of Kalevipoeg's deeds. Kalevipoeg is an epic poem by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald held to be the Estonian national epic. ... Toell the Great or Suur Tõll, in Estonian mythology is a great giant hero living in Baltic Sea island Oesel (Saaremaa). ... Scandinavia is a region in Northern Europe. ...

This giant has merged together with Christian Devil, giving birth to a new character – Vanapagan (a giant demon living on his farm or manor, more stupid than malevolent, easily outwitted by smart people, like his farm hand Kaval-Ants (Crafty Hans). The Devil is a title given to a supernatural entity, who, in most Abrahamic faiths, is the central embodiment of evil. ...

Mythical motives in folklore

Other mythical motives from Estonian runo songs:

• a mighty oak grows into the sky, is then felled and turned into various mythical objects
• Sun, Moon and Star as suitors of a young maiden, she accepts the Star
• a crafty blacksmith forges a woman of gold but is not able to give her a soul or a mind
• a holy grove starts to wither after having been desecrated by a love-making couple; only the scarification of nine brothers cleanses it
• mighty heroes are not able to kill a terrible giant ox, but a little brother is
• a woman is forced to kill her daughter who then goes to live in the heaven as Air Maiden
• a girl finds a fish and asks her brother to kill it – there is a woman inside the fish
• young girls go out at night and young men from the holy grove (or the land of the dead) seduce them by offering them riches
• a lake travels to another place when it has been desecrated by an inconsiderate woman or an incestuous couple

Artificial mythology

Friedrich Robert Faelmann and Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald compiled the Estonian national epic "Kalevipoeg" out of numerous prosaic folk legends and runo verse imitation that they themselves had written. Faehlmann also wrote eight fictional myths combining motives of Estonian folklore (from the legends and folk songs), Finnish mythology (from Ganander’s "Mythologia Fennica") and classical Greek mythology. Matthias Johann Eisen was another folklorist and writer who studied folk legends and reworked them into literary form. Many of their contemporary scholars accepted this mythopoeia as real Estonian mythology. Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald (born December 26, 1803 Jömper/Jõepere manor near Sankt Katharinen/Kadrina, Virumaa/Wierland county - died August 25, 1882 Tartu) was an Estonian writer and physician. ... The Oricoli bust of Zeus, King of the Gods, in the collection of the Vatican Museum. ... Mythopoeic literature is literature that involves the making of myths. ...

The Estonian fictional mythology or pseudo-mythology describes the following pantheon: The supreme god is Taara. He is celebrated in sacred oak forests around Tartu. Uku is his other name. Uku's daughters are Linda and Jutta, the queen of the birds. Uku has two sons: Kõu (Thunder) and Pikker (Lightning), who protect the people against Vanatühi, the lord of the Underworld and demons. Pikker possesses a powerful musical instrument, which makes demons tremble and flee. He has a naughty daughter, Ilmatütar (Air Maiden). Tharapita or Taara is the god of war in Estonian mythology. ... County Tartu County Mayor Laine Jänes Area 38. ... Linda is a female given name. ... Pikne (also Piken or Pikker: the long one). ... In Estonian mythology, Vanatühi (Old empty one, or alternately, Vanapagan, Old pagan) is a/the devil or god of the underworld, a giant farmer who is more stupid than malevolent. ...

More recently a well known Estonian folk healer Aleksander Heintalu has published his own version of old Estonian mythology in the form of an epic "Kuldmamma" (Golden Momma) featuring matrifocal society of Baltic-Finnic tribes.

Estonian mythological beings, deities and legendary heroes

• Alevipoeg - Alev's son, a friend of Kalevipoeg
• Ebajalg - demonic whirlwind
• Ehaema
• Eksitaja
• Haldjas (the ruler) - elf, fairy, protector spirit of some place, person, plant or animal
• Hall
• Hiid - giant
• Hiiela
• Hiieneitsid
• Hiis - holy grove
• Hingeliblikas
• Hingeloom
• Hoidja - protector
• Hämarik - goddess of dusk
• Hännamees
• Härjapõlvlane - goblin
• Ilmaneitsi - Air Maiden, Sky Maiden
• Ilmarine - a mythical blacksmith who forged among other things the Sun and the Moon (cp. Ilmarinen)
• Ilmasepp
• Ilmatütar - daughter of the air/world
• Ilo (Joy) - the hostess of feasts
• Jumal - God
• Jutta - queen of the birds, daughter of Taara
• Juudaline
• Järvevana
• Kaevukoll
• Kaitsja
• Kalevipoeg, Kalevine, Sohni, Soini, Osmi - giant hero, mythical ancient king of Estonia
• Kalm
• Kalmuneiu
• Kaval-Ants (Crafty/Sly Hans) - wicked farm hand who deceives his master Vanapagan - the Devil
• Kodukäija
• Koerakoonlane - half animal warrior with dog snout.
• Koit - God of Dawn, eternal lover of Hämarik
• Koll
• Kolumats
• Kratt
• Kurat, Kuri, Vanakuri - devil ("the angry one")
• Kuu - Moon
• Kõu (Thunder) - son of Uku, brother of Pikker
• Kääbas
• Külmking
• Lapi nõid - witch of Lapland
• Laurits - fire god related to St. Lawrence
• Leiger (player) - giant living in Hiiumaa island
• Lendva
• Libahunt - werewolf
• Linda - mother of Kalevipoeg
• Lummutis
• Luupainaja - incubus
• Lämmeküne - cp. Lemminkäinen
• Maa-alune - a dwarf living under the earth
• Maaema - Mother Earth
• Maajumalad
• Majauss - domestic grass-snake, protector spirit
• Mana
• Manala - land of the dead
• Manalane
• Marras
• Mereveised - Sea cows
• Metsaema - Mother of Forest
• Metsavana
• Metsik
• Mumm
• Murueide Tütred
• Murueit
• Nõid - witch
• Näkk - mermaid
• Olevipoeg - the successor of Kalevipoeg, city builder, related to St Olaf
• Painaja
• Pakane - Frost
• Pardiajaja - fierce half-demonic enemy soldier
• Peko - Seto god of fertility and brewing
• Pell
• Peninukk
• Penn
• Peremees
• Pikne, Pikker (the long one) - thunder god
• Piret - wife of Suur Tõll
• Pisuhänd - tail of fire, treasure bringing goblin
• Puuk – treasure bringing goblin
• Põrguneitsi - virgin of Hell
• Päike - Sun
• Rongo
• Rukkihunt
• Rõugutaja - a god, protector of the rye crops, women in labor and the city of Narva
• Salme
• Sarvik - a horned demon, a devil
• Sulevipoeg
• Surm - Death
• Suur Tõll - giant hero living in Saaremaa Island
• Taara - the supreme god of the pantheon of Estonian pseudomythology
• Taarapita, Tarapita, Tharapita - hypothetical Osilian god of war
• Taevataat - God, literally Old Man in Heaven
• Tallaja
• Tige
• Tikutaja
• Tont
• Toonela - land of the dead
• Tooni - god of death, ruler of the dead
• Toor, Tooru - a deity known in western Estonia, realted to Scandinavian Thor
• Tulbigas
• Tulihänd, Pisuhänd - "tail of fire" - flying house elf, helps to gather and protect the wealth
• Turis
• Tuule-Ema - Mother Wind
• Tuuleisa - Father Wind
• Tuulispea - whirlwind
• Tuuslar - a sorcerer living in Finland
• Tõll
• Tõnn - a fertility god related to St. Anthony
• Täht - Star
• Udres-Kudres - serf, called "Son of the Sun", hero of folksongs
• Uku - the supreme god
• Vanaisa
• Vanapagan - Old Nick, "Old Heathen", the devil depicted as dumb giant farmer
• Vanatühi - "Old Empty One", devil
• Vanemuine - the god of songs
• Varavedaja
• Varjuline
• veehaldjas - spirit of the water, the weaver of a spring Ahjualune
• Veteema – Mother of Waters
• Vetevana - Water Spirit
• Vihelik
• Vilbus
• Virmalised - Polar Lights
• Viruskundra
• Äiatar
• Äike - Thunder

Christian saints interpreted as gods: Seppo Ilmarinen, the Eternal Hammerer, blacksmith and inventor in the Kalevala, is an archetypal artificer from Finnish mythology. ... Kalevipoeg is an epic poem by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald held to be the Estonian national epic. ... In Finnish mythology, Lemminkäinen is a god of magic, or else a sorceror who could sing the sand into pearls. Lemminkäinen is good looking, yellow wavy haired, and young. ... Toell the Great or Suur Tõll, in Estonian mythology is a great giant hero living in Baltic Sea island Oesel (Saaremaa). ... This article is about the island. ... Tharapita or Taara is the god of war in Estonian mythology. ... Toell the Great or Suur Tõll, in Estonian mythology is a great giant hero living in Baltic Sea island Oesel (Saaremaa). ... In traditional Christian iconography, Saints are usually depicted as having halos. ...

• Jüri (St George) - god of agriculture
• Laurits (St Lawrence) - god of fire
• Mart (St Martin) - god of fertility
• Tõnn (St Anthony) - god of the crops and pigs

For alternate uses, see Saint George (disambiguation) Saint George on horseback rides alongside a wounded dragon being led by a princess, late 19th century engraving. ... This page concerns the Christian martyr. ... St. ... Saint Anthony may be: Saints Anthony the Great (251-356) Anthony of Padua (also of Lisbon) (1195-1231) Place names United Kingdom: St. ...

Estonian mythical and magical objects

• White Ship (valge laev) - mythical ship that brings freedom or takes people away to a better land. This myth was born around 1860 when a small sect led by Juhan Leinberg (also known as Prophet Maltsvet) gathered near Tallinn to wait for a white ship to take them away.
• Hat of nails (küüntest kübar) - makes the bearer (usually Vanatühi) invisible.
• Mittens (kirikindad) – were believed to have protective or magic powers, especially church mittens and the ones that sailors wore. Mittens were (are) decorated with special geometric patterns and narrow red stripes; they have many whispers and spells in them because the crafter used to sing while making, dyeing and knitting yarn.
• Belt (kirivöö) - the belt had the most ancient and magical patterns of all the craft items, red woven belts and laces were a common item to sacrifice (they were tied to the branches of holy treesd). A belt was tied around parts of body that were sick and, pulled tightly around the waist, had to protect and give strength to the bearer.
• Sacred stones - the last ice age has left a lot of great stones (erratics) in Estonia. Many of them were considered sacred and people came to them to sacrifice silver, blood, red ribbons and coins and ask for welfare and prosperity. Often, the stones have little holes in them, some of them probably used to place the sacrifice in. The meaning and function of the holes is however still disputed; according to paleoastronomer Heino Eelsalu they may have had a calendary function.
• Travelling forests - when people are mean, greedy and cruel in some place, the forests will leave this place. The most stories about travelling forests are found in coastal areas of Estonia.

External links

• The Hero of Esthonia, collected Estonian tales, edited by W. F. Kirby
• Taarapita - the great god of the Oeselians, an article by Urmas Sutrop
• [3]
• [4]

Literature

• "The Heavenly Wedding" Estonian Folktales -- Päär, P.; Türnpu, A.; Järv, R.; Loigu, L. (ed). Varrak, Tallinn 2005. ISBN 9985311469. Contents: The Heavenly Wedding, The Moon Maiden, Christmas Eve Visions, The Greedy Wolf, The Stone of Risti Church Lake, The War of the Beaks and the Paws, The Woman Found In The Meadow, All Three, The Fox`s Bride, Poor Tõnu, Waking up the Wind, How the Robber Was Blessed, The Shirt of a Happy Man, The Holiest Man, The Repentant Sinner, The Weaver and the Woodpecker, The Favours of the Sacred Tree, The Fiddler, The Fiddler in the Wolf Trap, The Snake’s Wife, The Rich Brother and the Poor Brother, The Singing Tree, A Friend, Death in a Keg, The Wolf and the Ewe, Dividing the Geese, The Hut in the Heavens, The Fiddler at Old Nick’s Party, A Strange Tavern, All the Fortunes of the World, The Moon Shines, the Wraith Drives, The Man Who Knew All the Birds’ Tongues, The Disobedient Angel of Death, Coal Porridge, The Two Paupers, The Man with the Golden Leg, The Wise King and the Ignorant Peasant. Commentaries.