Simplified drawing of a stone carving type found in Karelia, which is believed to have characteristics of both snake and thunder

In Finnish mythology, Ukko (Estonian spelling Uku) is a god of sky, weather, crops (harvest) and other natural things. He is also the most significant god in Finnish mythology and the Finnish word ukkonen, thunderstorm, is derived from his name. In the Kalevala he is also called ylijumala (the high god), as he is the god of things above. Other names for Ukko include Pitkänen (pitkä, long), isäinen (isä, father), isoinen (iso, great) and Äijö. He makes all his appearances in myths solely by natural effects when asked. Translated to English "Ukko" means literally "old man". He is the equivalent of Odin in the Norse pantheon, with properties of Thor. The equivalent of Thor, Tuuri, was seldom encountered in the Finnish pantheon, and relegated only as deity of harvest and success. Image File history File links A drawing of a stone carving type found on Karelia which is thought to have characteristics both of snake and a lightning File links The following pages link to this file: Ukko ... Image File history File links A drawing of a stone carving type found on Karelia which is thought to have characteristics both of snake and a lightning File links The following pages link to this file: Ukko ... Map showing the parts Karelia is traditionally divided into. ... Finnish mythology has many features that it shares with other Finnic mythologies, like the Estonian mythology, and also elements similar with non-Finnic neighbours, especially the the Balts and the Scandinavians. ... The Kalevala is an epic poem which Elias Lönnrot compiled from Finnish folk lore in the 19th century. ... Äijö is a name of the supreme god (Ukko) in Finnish mythology, more often used when he is portrayed in an evil way or as the Devil. ... For other meanings of Odin, Woden or Wotan see Odin (disambiguation), Woden (disambiguation), Wotan (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Thor (disambiguation). ... Tuuri is a village in Töysä, a municipality of Finland. ...

Ukko's origins are probably in Baltic Perkons and the older Finnish sky god Ilmarinen. Thor of Ásatrú is also associated with Perkons. While Ukko took Ilmarinen's position as the Sky God, Ilmarinen's destiny was to turn into a mortal smith-hero. Stories tell about Ilmarinen vaulting the sky-dome. Population density in the wider Baltic region. ... Perkons (band) can also refer to the Latvian rock group. ... Seppo Ilmarinen, the Eternal Hammerer, blacksmith and inventor in the Kalevala, is an archetypal artificer from Finnish mythology. ... For other uses, see Thor (disambiguation). ... Mjolnir, the hammer of Thor, is one of the major symbols of Ásatrú. This article is about the reconstruction of Norse paganism in particular. ... Perkons (band) can also refer to the Latvian rock group. ...

Ukko's weapon was a hammer called Ukonvasara (Ukko's Hammer), or an axe or a sword, by which he struck lightning (see thunderbolt). While Ukko mated with his wife Akka, (which consequently means "old woman" in modern Finnish) the act created a thunderstorm. He also created thunderstorms by driving with his chariot through the skies. Ukko's original weapon was probably the boat-shaped stone-axe of the battle-axe culture. A claw hammer For other uses, see Hammer (disambiguation). ... Ukonvasara is a magical hammer of Finnish thunder god Ukko, which is quite a similar with Thors Mjolnir. ... Axe For other uses, see Axe (disambiguation). ... Swiss longsword, 15th or 16th century Look up Sword in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For information on lightning precautions, see Lightning safety. ... Typical cartoon representations of thunderbolts A thunderbolt is a traditional expression for a discharge of lightning or a symbolic representation thereof. ... Akka means Sister in Telugu. ... Approximate extent of the Corded Ware horizon with adjacent 3rd millennium cultures (after EIEC). ...

A viper snake with a saw-figure on its skin is a symbol of thunder. There are stone carvings which have features of both snakes and lightning. Synonyms Viperae - Laurenti, 1768 Viperini - Oppel, 1811 Viperidae - Gray, 1825[1] The Viperidae are a family of venomous snakes commonly referred to as vipers, although the term viperids is more specific and distinguishes them from the viperines (subfamily Viperinae). ...

Ukko was sometimes known as the same god as Perkele and as Ilmarinen, the blacksmith of Kalevala. His wife was Rauni the protecter of rowan tree, known as the Mother-Earth or Akka. Perkele originally referred to the Finnish thunder god, which was also sometimes referred as Ukko (=The old man). With Christianity the Swedish priests co-opted him for one of the titles of Satan. ... Seppo Ilmarinen, the Eternal Hammerer, blacksmith and inventor in the Kalevala, is an archetypal artificer from Finnish mythology. ... The Kalevala is an epic poem which Elias Lönnrot compiled from Finnish folk lore in the 19th century. ... Akka means Sister in Telugu. ...

Ukko also gave good luck for hunting.

See also

• Finnish paganism
• Perkele
• Ukkos faith