Painting by John Bauer.

Topics in Scandinavian folklore Stories Needs more information, please help Beings Askfru, Bäckahästen, Changeling, Deildegast, Draug, Elf, Erlking, Fossegrim, Gjenganger, Hacker, Havsfru, Huldra, Huldrefolk, Hyldefolk, Kraken, Mara, Moss Folk, Myling, Nisse, Nix, Skoggra, Skrømt, Troll, Vætter, Will o' the wisp, Vardauge, Ysätters-Kajsa People Askeladden, Blenda, Disa

Scandinavian folklore is the folklore of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and the Swedish speaking parts of Finland. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 598 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1374 × 1378 pixel, file size: 475 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Namn: En kväll vid midsommartid gingo de med Bianca Maria djupt in i skogen Name: One summers evening they went with Bianca Maria deep... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 598 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1374 × 1378 pixel, file size: 475 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Namn: En kväll vid midsommartid gingo de med Bianca Maria djupt in i skogen Name: One summers evening they went with Bianca Maria deep... Tyr and Fenrir, by John Bauer (1911) The Changeling, by John Bauer (1913) Trolls with an abducted princess, by John Bauer (1915) John Bauer (1882–1918) was a Swedish illustrator best known for Bland Tomtar och Troll (Among Elves and Trolls), an annual Christmas book for children published in Sweden. ... Askefruer are a fictional race invented by Dr Anthony E. Smith. ... Strömkarlen from 1884 by Ernst Josephson has formed many modern Swedes view of Näcken. ... Trolls with the changeling they have raised, John Bauer, 1913. ... An artists rendition of the draug The draug is a sinister, malevolent being of Nordic origin, often linked to legends of the Icelandic draugr, that is often identified with the spirits of mariners drowned at sea. ... Read psychedelic section for amazing info! on the experiments of real elves good for school projects This article is about the small mythical creature, for the 2003 film, see Elf (film). ... In German and Scandinavian folklore, an erlking is a mischievous or malevolent sprite. ... The Hackers (Swedish Hackare) were a race of short people who used to live in Scandinavia, according to Swedish folklore. ... A huldra and Näcken. ... The Huldre are a race of beings found in the nordic countries, particulary Norway and Iceland. ... For other uses, see Kraken (disambiguation). ... A mara or mare is a kind of malignant female wraith in Scandinavian folklore believed to cause nightmares. ... In Scandanavian mythology, Moss Folk were fairies who lived in the forest. ... In Scandinavian folklore, Mylings are (supposedly) the phantasmal incarnations of the souls of unbaptized or murdered children. ... One of Jenny Nyströms Christmas-themed tomte paintings, a popular image of the modern tomte A tomte or nisse is a mythical creature of Scandinavian folklore, believed to take care of a farmers home and barn and protect it from misfortune, in particular at night, when the... Strömkarlen from 1884 by Ernst Josephson has formed many modern Swedes view of Näcken. ... For other uses, see Ghost (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Troll (disambiguation). ... Wight is a Middle English word for a creature or a living being, especially a human being. ... For other uses, see Will-o-the-wisp (disambiguation). ... Ysätters-Kajsa was a wind-troll, that people used to believe in, in the Swedish province of Närke. ... Askeladden (the Ash Lad) is the main character in many Norwegian folktales. ... The girls of SmÃ¥land by Hugo Hamilton (1830) Blenda is the heroine of a legend from SmÃ¥land, who leads the women of Värend in an attack on a pillaging Danish army and annihilates it. ... The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), formerly known as the Defense Communications Agency is a combat support agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for planning, developing, fielding, operating, and supporting command, control, communications, and information systems that serve the needs of the President, the Secretary of Defense... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Faroe Islands (Faroese: Føroyar, meaning Sheep Islands) are a group of islands in the north Atlantic Ocean between Scotland and Iceland. ... Areas where Finland-Swedish populations are found shown in yellow Finland-Swedish is a general term for the closely related cluster of dialects of Swedish spoken in Finland by Finland-Swedes as a first language. ...

In Scandinavia the term 'folklore' is not often used in academic circles, instead terms such as Folketro (folk belief (older Almuetro)) or Folkesagn (folk tales) have been coined. In common speech, it is simply referred to as den Gamle Tro (the old belief), or perhaps sæd skik og brug (customs, the way). It evolved from Norse paganism, and it is in technical terms, labelled low-mythology, while the norse mythology is called high-mythology. High-mythology builds on low-mythology in its parts. The Christianization of Scandinavia around the 10th century meant that the high-mythology more or less phased out of use. This process may have been quite rapid because these never were the beliefs of the lower classes. Iceland and the Faroe Islands are not a part of Scandinavia (although they are Nordic countries) but should nevertheless be regarded as Scandinavian in folkloric terms. The folklore/religion of Finland and of the Sami people are clearly related to Scandinavian folklore/religion, but have retained an independent character. Because of their common Germanic origin, Scandinavian folklore shows a large correspondence with folklores elsewhere, such as in Canadian folklore, England and Germany among others. Most of what has survived there might be found, of a similar nature, in the Baltic countries. Norse paganism or Nordic religion is a termed used to abbreviate the religion preferably amongst the Germanic tribes living in Nordic countries under pre-Christian period that are supported by archaeology findings and early written materials. ... Norse, Viking or Scandinavian mythology comprises the indigenous pre-Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian peoples, including those who settled on Iceland, where most of the written sources for Norse mythology were assembled. ... St Francis Xavier converting the Paravas: a 19th-century image of the docile heathen The historical phenomenon of Christianization, the conversion of individuals to Christianity or the conversion of entire peoples at once, also includes the practice of converting pagan practices, pagan religious imagery, pagan sites and the pagan calendar... For other uses, see Scandinavia (disambiguation). ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 10th century was that century which lasted from 901 to 1000. ... Political map of the Nordic countries and associated territories. ... The Sami people (also Sámi, Saami, Lapps, sometimes also Laplanders) are the indigenous people of Sápmi, which today encompasses parts of northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia. ... English folklore is the folk tradition which has developed in England over a number of centuries. ...

In Scandinavian folklore, belief in the old gods still exist, but not in the form they show in high mythology. Some of the ones known in both form of mythology are (Odin (Oden) is e.g. said to lead the Wild Hunt; Thor (Tor) still chase trolls with his thunder, both are in this context regarded as "jægere" (hunters), and we see also Ull (as Ul) and Hønir (as fx. Hown) in this role. Also do fx. Loki as a housegod of the housefire show up, and sometimes ones sees Freyja, as examples. A large number of different mythological creatures (or rather races, since few of them can be considered animals) from Norse mythology continue to live on, surprisingly little affected by Christian beliefs, even though the wicked ones at times find an ally in the Devil or had problems with Christian symbols. Nothing was surer, though, to scare these beings than a piece of steel, such as a strategically placed pair of scissors or a knife, or with salt and fire. The stories about the livings and doings of these beings, and their interaction with humans, constitute the major part of Scandinavian folklore. Even the helpful tomte,nisse,gårdbo or gårdbuk could turn into a fearsome adversary if not treated with caution and respect. Many of them blend into each other when their morals and/or place of residence are similar, and equally when one moves from one region in Scandinavia to another (the same is true for Norse mythology). For other uses, see Mythology (disambiguation). ... For other meanings of Odin,Woden or Wotan see Odin (disambiguation), Woden (disambiguation), Wotan (disambiguation). ... The wild hunt: Ã…sgÃ¥rdsreien (1872) by Peter Nicolai Arbo The Wild Hunt was a folk myth prevalent in former times across Northern Scandinavia, Germany and Britain. ... For other uses, see Thor (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Troll (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Thunder (disambiguation). ... ULL may refer to: University of Louisiana at Lafayette Unbundled Local Loop, the result of a local loop unbundling (LLU). ... A legendary creature is a mythical or fantastic creature (often known as fabulous creatures in historical literature). ... This is an overview of the Devil. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christian symbolism... For other uses, see Steel (disambiguation). ... One of Jenny Nyströms Christmas-themed tomte paintings, a popular image of the modern tomte A tomte or nisse is a mythical creature of Scandinavian folklore, believed to take care of a farmers home and barn and protect it from misfortune, in particular at night, when the... Nisse A tomte (derived from from the Swedish word for garden, tomt) or nisse (brownie) is a mythical creature of Scandinavian folklore, specifically part of a group of creatures called vetter (elf), common in rural areas. ... Norse, Viking or Scandinavian mythology comprises the indigenous pre-Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian peoples, including those who settled on Iceland, where most of the written sources for Norse mythology were assembled. ...

Beings of Scandinavian folklore

Imaginary view of the Kraken.

Perhaps most abundant are the stories about the race of trolls, a cunning and deceitful people, living in the forestlands. Trolls are generally not fair to behold, even though the female trollkonor could appear quite attractive until you spotted the tail. When large, they are interchangeable with giants (jotner, jättar or jætter), who live even farther from society (since they can't stand the sound of church bells) typically in the mountains (The fjells). In older tales, it becomes clear however that the word troll/trold simply means someone who eats human flesh etc. and engage in the worst crimes in society such as rape. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1047x677, 508 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Kraken Scandinavian folklore Gigantic octopus ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1047x677, 508 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Kraken Scandinavian folklore Gigantic octopus ... For other uses, see Kraken (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Troll (disambiguation). ... Jack the Giant-Killer by Arthur Rackham. ... Church bell from Saleby, Västergötland, Sweden containing an inscription from 1228 in the Runic alphabet A church bell is a bell which is rung in a (especially Christian) church either to signify the hour or the time for worshippers to go to church, perhaps to attend a wedding... The Scandinavian Mountains, in Swedish Skanderna, Fjällen (the Fells) or Kölen, and in Norwegian Kjølen, with the two latter meaning the Keel, are a mountain range that runs through the Scandinavian Peninsula. ...

The race of dwarves (or dark/black elves) live on as wights (vättar or huldrefolk), although with somewhat different characteristics. Wights live underground, often right next to human settlements, and are commonly a menace to their ground-dwelling neighbors. The tomte or nisse is a good wight, who takes care of the house and barn when the farmer is asleep, but only if the farmer reciprocates by setting out food for the nisse. If the nisse is ignored or maltreated, he can sabotage a lot of the work on the farm. More correctly maybe, is it to say that many of the terms in Nordic beliefs can be used broadly about many different set of beings, and one first know for sure what there are meant, when seen in context - fx can an Elver be labeled dværg (dwarf) in some contexts, but only because they in common lore are a head smaller than common people, and the same applies with the nisse, because they are no taller than a 5 year old child. Vætter can be used as a loose word about nearly all beings in the old belief, as well as "Underjordiske" " (the hidden ones). In Norse mythology, the dwarves (Old Norse: dvergar, sing. ... In Norse mythology, the svartálfar (black elves) or dökkálfar (dark elves) are supernatural beings (Old Norse vættir, wights) that are said to reside in the underground world of Svartálfheim. ... Wight is a Middle English word for a creature or a living being, especially a human being. ... One of Jenny Nyströms Christmas-themed tomte paintings, a popular image of the modern tomte A tomte or nisse is a mythical creature of Scandinavian folklore, believed to take care of a farmers home and barn and protect it from misfortune, in particular at night, when the...

Elves are in some parts mostly described as female, beautiful residents of forest and meadows, skilled in magic and illusions. Particularly in Denmark, they have merged with the dangerous and seductive huldra or skogsrå, the "keeper of the forest", here often called hylde. Read psychedelic section for amazing info! on the experiments of real elves good for school projects This article is about the small mythical creature, for the 2003 film, see Elf (film). ... Not to be confused with Magic (illusion). ... A huldra and Näcken. ...

Water spirits can be found in, among others, the nix (näcken or nøkken), a water spirit who was also believed able to transform into a predatory kelpie (bäckahäst). Strömkarlen from 1884 by Ernst Josephson has formed many modern Swedes view of Näcken. ... This article is about the mythological creature. ...

In Scandinavian folklore, dragons are commonly known as lindworms, and are monstrous serpents with or without hind legs. In Norway and Denmark, they typically live in the ocean, and here, tales of marine monsters appear to be most plentiful, although a famous specimen is also said to reside in the Swedish lake Storsjön. The Norwegian lake Seljordsvatn is also famous for its claimed inhabitant, a serpent known as Selma. The coasts of Norway are reportedly also haunted by the terrifying Kraken, as well as the ghastly draug. For other uses, see Dragon (disambiguation). ... Lindworm (wingless bipedal dragon) in British heraldry Lindorm (seaserpent) in Scandinavian heraldry Lindworm or lindorm (cognate with Old Norse linnormr snake, Scandinavian languages lindorm seaserpent, German Lindwurm dragon, from two Germanic roots meaning roughly constrictor snake), in British heraldry, is a technical term for a wingless bipedal dragon. ... Storsjön (pron. ... For other uses, see Kraken (disambiguation). ... An artists rendition of the draug The draug is a sinister, malevolent being of Nordic origin, often linked to legends of the Icelandic draugr, that is often identified with the spirits of mariners drowned at sea. ...

The myling is the ghost of a child left to die in the wilderness, and the mara is a wraith said to cause nightmares and sleep paralysis. Stories also recollects of will o' the wisps (irrbloss, lyktgubbar or lygtemænd), often assumed to be the spirits of people who had drowned in lakes and marshes. According to some stories, they could lead a lost wanderer to a death similar to their own; according to others, they could lead him home. In Scandinavian folklore, Mylings are (supposedly) the phantasmal incarnations of the souls of unbaptized or murdered children. ... In sociology and biology, infanticide is the practice of intentionally causing the death of an infant of a given species, by members of the same species - often by the mother. ... A mara or mare is a kind of malignant female wraith in Scandinavian folklore believed to cause nightmares. ... The current usage of the term nightmare refers to a dream which causes the sleeper a strong unpleasant emotional response. ... The Nightmare, by Henry Fuseli (1781) is thought to be one of the classic depictions of sleep paralysis perceived as a demonic visitation. ... For other uses, see Will-o-the-wisp (disambiguation). ... This article is about marsh, a type of wetland. ...

These are only a few of the beings, and only shortly explained.

See also

• Folketro
• Vættir
• Norse mythology

Folketro (Danish, Norwegian) or Folktro (Swedish) is the Scandinavian for folk religion or superstition, referring to Scandinavian folklore in particular. ... Wight is an obsolete word for a human or other intelligent being (cognate to modern German Wicht, meaning small person, dwarf, and also unpleasant person). It is used only comparatively recently to give an impression of archaism and mystery, for example in the works of J. R. R. Tolkien. ... Norse, Viking or Scandinavian mythology comprises the indigenous pre-Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian peoples, including those who settled on Iceland, where most of the written sources for Norse mythology were assembled. ...

Notes

• Folktales of Norway, edited by Reidar Th. Christiansen, 1964.
• Scandinavian Folk Belief and Legend, Reimund Kvideland & Henning K. Sehmsdorf, 1988.

External links

• Outline of concepts in Scandinavian folklore
• Terms in Scandinavian folklore
• Trollmoon - The Scandinavian Troll in Art and Folklore
• The Beings of the Dark Woods of Sweden
• A collection of Norwegian folktales in Norwegian. See esp. [1].
  • Some English translation here
• A collection of folktales from Hålta in Sweden in Swedish.