Finnish Mythology

Deities & Demons, Heroes & Humans

By Molly Kalafut

My purpose with these pages is to chronicle the pantheon, places, animals, objects and other important figures in Finnish mythology.  Wherever possible, I list the quotes that describe the characters.  You will notice I try to list the sex and parents of each character as my eventual goal is creating a genealogical "family tree" of the relationships.  Sadly this is not as easy with Finnish mythology as it is with other mythologies, as the deities are not exactly represented as a family.  Also, people are often described as just 'father', 'mother', 'sister' or 'brother' rather than actual names.  Right now I'm about halfway through integrating quotes about each character from the two main English translations of the Kalevala.

Aarni

"Aarni is the guardian of hidden treasures" -Kalevala Preface (Crawford 1888)

	Race: Deity
	Title: Guardian of Hidden Treasures
	Names: Aarni, Arni

Aarni is described as the guardian of hidden treasures. Hidden treasures are a recurring theme in the Kalevala as are serpents. There is also another deity of hidden treasures, Mammelainen. Both Aarni and Mammelainen are only referred to in Crawford's preface.

Ahava

"Grab him, storm wind, Ahava" -Runo 10

"Ahava, the West-wind, and Penitar, a blind old witch of Sariola, are the parents of the swift dogs of Finland, just as the horses of Achilles, Xanthos and Belios, sprang from Zephyros and the harpy Podarge." -Kalevala Preface (Crawford 1888)

	Race: Deity
	Title: West-Wind
	Gender: Male
	Children: Swift Dogs (with Penitar)

Ahava is the name for the  West-Wind. He is the father of the "swift dogs of Finland" with the blind witch of Sariola named Penitar.

Ahti - See Lemminkäinen

"Ah'ti. The same as Lemminkainen." -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

Ahto

"Ahto, king of all the waters, Ruler of a thousand grottoes" -Kalevala Runo 43 "The Sampo Lost In The Sea" (Crawford 1888)

"Ahto, king of all the waters, Ancient king with beard of sea-grass" -Kalevala Runo 41 "Wainamoinen's Harp-Songs" (Crawford 1888)

	Race: Deity
	Title: God of Depths, God of the Waters, Giver of Fish
	Gender: Male
	Names: Ahto, Ahti, water-god, wave-host
	Spouse: Wellamo

Ahti is the main water god and chief of the depths. He lives at the bottom of the seas at his palace Ahtola. He rules fish; particularly the salmon, trout, whiting, perch, herring and white fish. He also owns the Sampo after Louhi pulled it into the sea during her struggle with the heroes.

Ahtolaiset

"A general term for the other water-hosts living not only in the sea, but also in the rivers, lakes, cataracts, and fountains, is Ahtolaiset (inhabitants of Ahtola)" -Kalevala Preface (Crawford 1888)

	Race: Deities
	Title: Inhabitants of Ahtola
	Gender: Both
	Names: Water People, People of the Foam & Billow, Wellamo's Eternal People

The "Ahtolaiset" are the deities associated with the water god Ahto and his domain Ahtola. They live in fountains, lakes and rivers. They include Allotar, Iku-Turso, Koskenneiti, Melatar, Pikku Mies and Wetehilien. Most are helpful and kind though others are cause annoyances for mankind. While Crawford refers to the Ahtolaiset in his preface, the term does not appear in the rest of his Kalevala translation.

Ainikki

"It was Ainikki who told it, Ainikki, Ahti's sister, Told it to him, tattled it: "My dear Ahti, little brother, Kylli has been gallivanting, Going round to strangers' gates, To the romping of those hoydens At the parties of the braidheads."  -Runo 12

"Who will tell the evil story, Who will bear the information To the husband, Lemminkainen? Ahti's sister tells the story, And the sister's name, Ainikki." -Kalevala Runo 12, "Kyllikki's Broken Vow (Crawford 1888)

	Race: Human
	Gender: Female
	Mother: Unnamed
	Siblings: Brother Lemminkäinen

Ainikki was the one to inform her brother Lemminkäinen that his wife Kyllikki broke her promise by dancing and partying in the village.

Aino

(Pronounced I-no)

"If you will reverse your magic And recant your incantations I will give my sister Aino, Let you have my mother's darling" -Kalevala Runo 3 "The Contest"

"I will give thee sister, Aino, Fairest daughter of my mother" -Kalevala Runo 3 "Wainamoinen and Youkahainen" (Crawford 1888)

	Race: Human
	Gender: Female
	Names: Uino, "Ahto's Favorite"
	Father: Unnamed
	Mother: Unnamed (related to Väinämöinen through her brother-in-law)
	Siblings: Brother Joukahainen (same mother), Unnamed Sister

Aino was promised in marriage to Väinämöinen in exchange for the release of her brother Joukahainen from an enchantment. She protested that he was far too old and that she would waste her youth and beauty, but her mother was excited by the prospect of such a marriage for her daughter. Aino dresses in all her mother's finery then goes to the sea to bathe, but drowns in the sea instead. Later in the guise of a fish she is hooked upon the line of Väinämöinen who desperately fishes for his fiancée, but he does not recognize her. As he starts to make the Aino-fish his dinner, she escapes back into the sea and taunts Väinämöinen for not recognizing her and losing her again.

Allotar

"Of these, some have specific names; as Allotar (wave-goddess)" -Kalevala Preface (Crawford 1888)

	Race: Deity
	Title: Wave Goddess
	Gender: Female

Allotar is the wave goddess and one of the Ahtolaiset. She is mentioned by Crawford only in the preface.

Annikki

"Ilmarinen's beauteous sister, Fair and goodly maid, Annikki, Of the Night and Dawn, the daughter" -Kalevala Runo 28 "The Rival Suitors" (Crawford 1888)

	Gender: Female
	Sibling: Ilmarinen (brother)

Annikki is the sister of the hero Ilmarinen and described as the daughter of the Night and Dawn.

Antero - See Vipunen.

"An'te-ro. Another name for Wipanen, or Antero Wipunen." -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

Antero Vipunen - See Vipunen

"An'te-ro. Another name for Wipanen, or Antero Wipunen." -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

Aunikki - See Ainikki. It is either a synonym for Ainikki, or it was a transcription error in the Crawford translation.

"Then Aunikki, graceful maiden, Of the Night and Dawn, the daughter" -Kalevala Runo 18 "The Rival Suitors" (Crawford 1888)

Eteletar

"Et'e-le'tar. A daugter of the South-wind." -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

	Title: Daughter of the South-Wind
	Gender: Female

Eteletar is a daughter of the south-wind according to Crawford, though is mentioned only in the glossary.

Fire-Child - See Panu

"Fire-Child. A synonym of Panu." -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

Hetewane

"Het'e-wa'ne. The Finnish name of the Pleiades" -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

Title: Pleiades

Hetewane is the Finnish name for the Pleiades according to Crawford's glossary.

Hiisi

(Pronounced Hee-see)

"Demon Hiisi turned the knob, And the devil bumped the ax-bit, Bad One slid the blade aside...Lempo laced it to the flesh Hiisi hitched it to the veins" -Runo 8, Väinämöinen's Wound

"They were chanting Lapland runos, Howling out the hymns of Hiisi." -Runo 12

	Race: Demon
	Title: Chief of the Forest-Demons, "The Evil Principle"
	Gender: Male
	Names: "Sacred Grove", Goblin, Hisi, Hiisi, Jutas, Juntas, Piru, Lempo, Yutas
	Children: Breathed life into the serpent formed from Suoyatar's spit

Hiisi is portrayed as a wicked demon or goblin. He is blamed for many evils, diseases or misfortunes that befall mankind. One of the specific incidents he is blamed for includes bumping Väinämöinen's ax leading to the torturous wound of his knee. The sorcerers of Lapland are accused of being "Hiisi's harpers". He breathed life into the first snake that had been formed by Suoyatar's spit.

Iku-Turso

"Iku-Turso, son of Old-age, Ocean monster, manifested" -Kalevala Runo 42 "Capture of the Sampo" (Crawford 1888)

	Race: Deity
	Title: Water Deity
	Gender: Unknown
	Names: Iku-Turso

Iku-Turso is one of the darker Ahtolaiset (Water People), described as an evil giant.

Ilmarinen

(Pronounced Il-mah-REE-nen)

"He's a smith extraordinary, The most skillful of all craftsmen, Who hammered out the vault of heaven, Forged the sky-lid there above us Without leaving mark of hammer Or a trace of tongs upon it." -Runo "Väinämöinen's Promise"

"Ilmarinen had been born, Born and grown to manhood too, Born upon a hill of charcoal, Grew up on a cindery heathland, In one hand a copper hammer, In the other his tiny tongs." -Runo 9

	Race: Spirit
	Title: Spirit of Air, Maker of Heaven
	Gender: Male
	Names: Ilmarinem, Ilmurinen, Seppo Ilmarinen
	Mother: Lakka
	Sibling: Described as Väinämöinen's brother

Ilmarinen, the maker of heaven and worker of metals, creates many fine things. Crawford's gossary states his mother is Lakka, but the name isn't mentioned anywhere else within his Kalevala translation. His creations include the legendary  Sampo, a woman made of gold and silver, a rake to retrieve Lemminkäinen's body, a kantele (five-stringed harp), and even creates men and women. He was the one to subdue iron and first forged with steel. The forging of the Sampo was a mighty undertaking in exchange for marrying one of Louhi's beautiful daughters. Sadly, his bride was killed by Kullervo. He tried to take another daughter of Louhi for his second wife, but both the mother and daughter refused him. As the Kalevala heroes don't often take no for an answer, he carried her off by force. Later that evening at an inn he becomes disgusted by her behavior, changes her into a seagull and abandons her. Later, he along with Väinämöinen and Lemminkäinen try to retrieve the Sampo from Louhi, leading to a protracted chase. Louhi in return steals the Sun and Moon, causing Ilmarinen to forge new ones. The newly forged moon and sun were ultimately ineffective, so Ilmarinen tricks Louhi into releasing the originals.

Ilmarinen's Wife

"Said old Väinämöinen slyly: "I have much to tell about: There's a girl at Pohjola, Virgin in that chilly village, Who will not accept a lover, Does not like the best of men. Half the Northland sings her praises, She's so very beautiful: From her brow the moonlight glimmers, Breasts as rosy as the dawn, Great Bear shining from her shoulders, From her back the Seven Stars." -Runo 10

	Gender: Female
	Mother: Pohjola
	Spouse: Ilmarinen

Pohjola offered her daughter to Väinämöinen if he could forge the Sampo, but Väinämöinen declined and promised to convince Ilmarinen to forge it for her.

Ilmatar

(Pronounced Il-mah-tar)

"She, the virgin of the air, Beautiful maiden. Nature's child...By the wind the maid was rocked, On a wave the maid was driven, Round about the blue sea surface, By the whirling whitecaps lifted, Where her womb the wind awakened, And the sea-foam impregnated." -Runo 1, Kalevala

"Thus our hero, Wainamoinen, Thus the wonderful enchanter Was delivered from his mother, Ilmatar, the Ether's daughter" -Kalevala Runo 1 "Birth of Wainamoinen" (Crawford 1888)

	Race: Spirit
	Title: Spirit of Air, Daughter of the Air
	Gender: Female
	Parents: "Ether's Daughter"
	Children: Son Väinämöinen (father: the wind, possibly east wind)

Ilmatar is called the the female virgin spirit of air who gave form to the earth. She gives birth to the hero Väinämöinen after the wind during a storm impregnates her. She was pregnant with her son for 700 years before giving birth and during that time she gave the earth and water their forms and features. She spent much time submerged in water while giving birth to her son and later after he was born. When Väinämöinen sought her advice when grieving over his lost fiancée Aino, she counseled him to take a daughter of Pohjola as a bride. Later, during the heroic struggle to retrieve the Sampo from Louhi, Ilmatar helps her son and Ilmarinen by telling them the lost fire fell into Lake Alue.

Ilpotar

"Ilpotar, the Northland hostess, Then addressed the words that follow" -Kalevala Runo 27 "The Unwelcome Guest" (Crawford 1888)

Gender: Female

As Ilpotar is referred to as the "Northland hostess", the name may be a synonym for Louhi who is frequently called the Northland hostess. According to Crawford, Ilpotar may be the daughter of the snow flake, or refer to Louhi.

Joukahainen

(Pronounced Yo-kuh-hi-nen)

Far away in dismal Northland, Lived the singer, Youkahainen, Lapland's young and reckless minstrel" -Kalevala Runo 3 "Wainamoinen and Youkahainen" (Crawford 1888)

	Race: Laplander
	Gender: Male
	Names: Joukhakainen,  Youkahainen
	Father: Unnamed
	Mother: Unnamed (related to Väinämöinen through her brother-in-law)
	Siblings: Sister Aino, Unnamed Sister

Joukahainen was described as a "lanky lad of Lapland" with black whiskers. His envy of Väinämöinen's fame caused him to challenge Väinämöinen to a singing duel - much to his parents distress. During the contest he rashly challenged Väinämöinen to a sword duel. Since Väinämöinen managed to shake the earth and caused the mountains to quiver he won the test and enchanted Joukahainen to sink into a swamp. He tried to bribe Väinämöinen with his crossbows, boats, horses, gold and silver but Väinämöinen was not interested until he was promised Joukahainen's sister Aino in marriage. Aino was horrified at the arrangement and drowned herself to prevent it. Later, Joukahainen laid in wait for Väinämöinen who passed by on his way north to Pohjola, and shot the hero with a crossbow strung with the "devil's flaxen rope and sinews of the demon's elk". His mother tried to stop him, but to no avail and Väinämöinen was shot into the sea.

Jumala

(Pronounced Yoo-mah-lah)

"The Creator, wisest wizard, Jumala the oldest healer. -Runo 3

"O thou Ukko, high Creator, Jumala, thou heavenly father, Come, O come where thou art needed, Come, O come where thou art called" -Runo 9

"If indeed my mouth is sweet, Jumala's mouth is far sweeter; If indeed my hand is skillful, Jumala's hand is far more skillful." -Runo 9

"Väinämöinen lifts his eyes To the heavens overhead, Gives all thanks to Jumala: "Always mercies come from there, Friendly guidance from the skies, From the all-creating power. Be thou thanked, O Jumala, Praised alone, O thou Creator, For the aid thou gavest me, For thy guardian fellowship In those awful agonies Of iron's brutal torment." -Runo 9

"Said the mother prayerfully: "Jumala be thanked for all, Praise be to the great Creator, That he gave me such a daughter" -Runo 11

	Race: God
	Title: Thunder Home, Sky-God, Supreme God of the Heavens
	Gender: Male

Jumala means "thunder home" and originally referred to the sky, sky-god and the supreme God of the heavens. At times it is also used to refer to the Christian God. Throughout the Kalevala, Jumala is alternatively beseeched, thanked and praised.

Jutas - See Hiisi

"Hi'si (original Hiisi). The Evil Principle; also called Jutas, Lempo, and Piru" -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

Kaitolainen

"Kai'to-lai'nen. A son of the god of metals; from his spear came the tongue of the serpent." -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

	Title: Son of The God of Metals
	Gender: Male

Kaitolainen is called the son of the god of metals. His spear produced the "tongue of the serpent". Crawford describes him in the glossary but not in the Kalevala text.

Kalervo

(Pronounced Kah-lair-vo)

"When the aged sire, Kalervo, Saw the work of Kullerwoinen, He addressed his son as follows...Thereupon the son, Kullervo..." -Kalevala Runo 35 "Kullervo's Evil Deeds" (Crawford 1888)

	Gender: Male
	Children: Kullervo (son)

Kalervo is the parent of the vicious and tragic figure, Kullervo. Crawford describes Untamo, the gods of dreams, as "a brother of Kalervo, and his enemy." It is unclear whether the relationship is literal or figurative.

Kaleva

(Pronounced Kah-leh-vah)

"Ka-le'va (Kalewai'nen). The father of heroes; a hero in general...Kal-e'vo. The same as Kaleva...Ka'lew. Often used for Kaleva..." -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

	Title: Father of Heroes
	Gender: Male
	Names: Kaleva, Kalevo, Kalew, Kulevu, Kalewainen
	Children: Kalevatar (daughter)

Kaleva is described as a father of heroes by Crawford in the glossary, but he is not mentioned in the main text of the Kalevala.

Kalevatar

"Kal'e-va'tar (Kalewa'tar). Daughter of Kaleva" -Kalevala Glosary (Crawford 1888)

"Kalevatar, magic maiden" -Kalevala Run 20 "The Brewing of Beer" (Crawford 1888)

	Gender: Female
	Names: Kalevatar, Kalewatar
	Father: Kaleva (?)

Kalevatar, also called Kalewatar, is described as a daughter of Kaleva. Kaleva is described as a father of heroes; however it is also a synonym for the land of Kalevala.

Kalevo - See Kaleva (Crawford)

"Kal-e'vo. The same as Kaleva." -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

Kalewainen - See Kaleva. (Crawford)

"Ka-le'va (Kalewai'nen). The father of heroes; a hero in general." -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

Kalewatar - See Kalevatar

"Kal'e-va'tar (Kalewa'tar). Daughter of Kaleva" -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

Kalma

"To the end of Kalma's empire, Where the jaws of Death stand open, Where the head of Kalma lowers, Ready to devour the stranger" -Kalevala Runo 13 "Lemminkainen's Second Wooing" (Crawford 1888)

	Race: God
	Title: God of Death, God of Tombs
	Gender: Male
	Children: At least one daughter

Kalma is the god of death and tombs who presides over the bodies of the dead until they disintegrate. In the Kalevala the use of the term 'Kalma' also seems to be used as a place-name.

Kammo

"Kimmo, hero son of Kammo" -Kalevala Runo 40 "Birth of the Harp" (Crawford 1888)

	Gender: Male
	Children: Kimmo

Kammo is the father of Kimmo, the patron of the rocks.

Kankahattaret

"Other deities associated with the welfare of mankind are the Sinettaret and Kankahattaret, the goddesses respectively of dyeing and weaving." -Kalevala Preface (Crawford 1888)

	Race: Deity
	Title: Goddess of Weaving
	Gender: Female

Kankahattaret is described as the goddess of weaving by Crawford in the preface but not mentioned in the rest of his Kalevala translation.

Kape - See Ilmatar

"Ka'pe. A synonym of Ilmatar, the mother of Wainamoinen." -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

Kapo - See Osmotar

"Ka'po. A synonym of Osmotar." -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

Katayatar - See Katejatar (Crawford)

"Kat'e-ja'tar (kataya'tar). The daughter of the Pine-tree." -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

Katejatar

"Pine-tree daughter, Kateyatar" -Kalevala Runo 32 "Kullervo As A Shepard" (Crawford 1888)

	Gender: Female
	Names: Katejatar, Katayatar
	Parent: Pine-Tree

Katejatar is described as the daughter of the Pine-Tree in Crawford's glossary but not mentioned in the rest of his Kalevala translation.

Kauko - See Lemminkäinen

"Kau'ko. The same as Kaukomieli...Kau'ko-miel'li. The same as Lemminkainen." -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

Kaukomielli - See Lemminkäinen

"Spake the reckless Lemminkainen, Also known as Kaukomieli" -Runo 26, "Origin Of The Serpent" (Crawford, 1888)

Kauppi - See Lylikki

"Then Lylikki, snow-shoe-maker, Ancient Kauppi, master artist" -Kalevala Runo 13 "Lemminkainen's Second Wooing" (Crawford 1888)

Kimmo

"Kimmo, hero son of Kammo" -Kalevala Runo 40 "Birth of the Harp" (Crawford 1888)

"There be saw a heifer rising, Golden were the horns of Kimmo, On her head the Bear of heaven, On her brow a disc of sunshine, Beautiful the cow of magic" -Kalevala Runo 10 "Ilmarinen Forges the Sampo" (Crawford 1888)

There appears to be at least two by the name of Kimmo; one the patron of rocks and the son of Kammo, the other is a female described as a beautiful cow of magic.

Kirkon-Wœki

Kirkon-Wœki are dwarves that live underneath the altars in churches. (Crawford)

Knikkano - See Tapio

Knippano - See Tapio

Kootamoinen

Kootamoinen is the moon. (Crawford)

Koskenneiti

	Race: Deity
	Title: Goddess of the Cataract, Cataract Maiden
	Gender: Female
	Names: Koskenneiti

Koskenneiti is the Cataract Maiden and one of the Ahtolaiset (Water People).

Kullervo

(Pronounced Koo-lair-vo)

"Only son of old Kalervo" -Kalevala Runo 33 "Kullervo and the Cheat-Cake" (Crawford 1888)

	Race: Human
	Gender: Male
	Father: Kalervo

Kullervo is a tragic figure, an orphan looking for his real family. But in the process manages to kill Ilmarinen's wife (a daughter of Louhi), and accidentally sleeps with his own sister. After discovering the incest, first his sister killed herself and then Kullervo falls on his sword.

Kullerwoinen - See Kullervo

"When the aged sire, Kalervo, Saw the work of Kullerwoinen, He addressed his son as follows...Thereupon the son, Kullervo..." -Kalevala Runo 35 "Kullervo's Evil Deeds" (Crawford 1888)

Kulli - See Kyllikki (Crawford)

Kullikki - See Kyllikki (Crawford)

Kun

"Kun means moon and moon-god" -Kalevala Preface (Crawford 1888)

	Race: Deity
	Title: Moon, Moon God
	Gender: Male
	Children: Kuntar (daughter)

Kun is the word for the moon and the moon god.

Kuntar

One of the daughters of the Moon. (Crawford)

Kura - See Pakkanen (Crawford)

Kuura - See Pakkanen (Crawford)

Kylli - See Kyllikki (Crawford)

Kyllikki

(Pronounced Kyoo-luh-kee)

"Kylli was the island maiden, Island maiden, island flower. Brought up in a high-born home, She grew up a graceful beauty, Gracing there her father's hall, Sitting on the springy back bench." -Runo 11

"I don't want a hooligan, Hare-brained, helter-skelt like you. I desire a well-built body Matching with my own proportions; I desire a stately carriage Equal to my own high bearing, And, to equal my own beauty, A face far handsomer than yours." -Kyllikki to Lemminkäinen Runo 11

	Race: Human
	Gender: Female
	Names: Kulli, Kullikki, Kyllikki, Kylli
	Siblings: Five brothers
	Husband: Lemminkäinen

Kyllikki was a beautiful maiden wooed by the hero Lemminkäinen. She first rejected them, but the angered Lemminkäinen grabbed her and carried her off by force. She initially resists him, but consents to marry him by making him promise not to go off to war. In return, she promises not to attend parties without him or gossip in the village. She did not fulfill her end of the bargain, and eventually her sister-in-law Ainikki revealed to Lemminkäinen that Kyllikki broke her oath by dancing in the village. In Kyllikki's husband went off to war with the intention to woo Northern women. He left Kyllikki with a hairbrush that would bleed if he dies. After he died and the hairbrush bled, her mother-in-law went to Pohjola to retrieve him.

Lakka

Lakka is described as the mother of the hero Ilmarinen by Crawford (1888).

Lakko

Lakko is described as the hostess of Kalevala by Crawford (1888).

Lemminkäinen

(Pronounced Lemmin-kie-nen)

"Ahti lad, the Islander, He the wayward son of Lempi, Grew up in a high-born home With his most devoted mother At the head of a big wide bay, In the shelter of Cape Far." -Runo 11

"And a good man all around- Save that he was somewhat wayward With some rather rakish habits: Always playing around with women, Always at the all-night parties To the pleasure of the virgins, At the rompings of the braidheads." -Runo 11

	Race: Human
	Title: Hero
	Gender: Male
	Names: Kauko, Kaukomielli, Lemminkäinen, Lemminkæinen
	Father: Lempi
	Mother: Unnamed
	Sister: Ainikki
	Wife: Kyllikki

Lemminkäinen is a handsome, reckless and wayward hero. Against his mother's advice, he violently carried off the beautiful maiden Kyllikki after she rejected him as a suitor. She eventually consented to the marriage after he promised not to go off to war. In return, she promised not to attend parties without him or gossip in the village. After she broke her promise by dancing in the village, he went off to war to gain gold and Northern women. He defeated wizards and sorcerers of Pohjola in a singing contest and vied for the hand of one of Louhi's daughters. On his return home, he is shot by a poisoned arrow of the cow-herder Wet-Hat and then chopped into pieces by Tuoni's son. His mother journeyed to the underworld Pohjola to gather her son's pieces and put them back together. Later, he teams up with Väinämöinen and Ilmarinen to journey back to Pohjola to retrieve the Sampo. He is described as a brother of Väinämöinen (Crawford), but it is unclear if that's a figurative or literal relationship.

Lempo - See Hiisi

"Hi'si (original Hiisi). The Evil Principle; also called Jutas, Lempo, and Piru" -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

Louhi

(Pronounced Low-hee)

"Louhi, mistress of Pohjola, She the sparse-tooth dame of Northland" -Runo 7, "Väinämöinen's Promise"

	Title: Mistress of Pohjola
	Gender: Female
	Names: Louhi, Loviatar

Louhi is the hostess of the Northland who provides occasional help (and daughters as wives) to the heroes but then later causes a great deal of trouble. She makes heroes and gods go through ridiculously complicated trials in order to win her daughters for marriage. She incited Ilmarinen to forge the Sampo. After the Sampo was stolen by her, in return she stole the sun, moon and fire plus as a bonus unleashed a plague. In some stories she transfers her shape into various birds, including a hawk and a dove.

Lowyatar

	Race: Deity
	Title: Mother Of The Plagues
	Gender: Female
	Father: Tuoni
	Children: The Plagues (father the East-Wind); Colic, pleurisy, fever, ulcer, plague, consumption, gout, sterility and cancer.

Lowayatar is the blind daughter of Tuoni who in famous for giving birth to the spirits of the nine most dreaded diseases (colic, pleurisy, fever, ulcer, plague, consumption, gout, sterility and cancer). She had been impregnated by the East-Wind.

Luonnotars

"Ukko, lord of heaven above, Rubbed his palms, then pressed them down Both together on his left knee, This gave birth to three young maidens, All of them creation's daughters, Mothers to the ore of iron, Begetters of the blue-bite metal. -Runo 9

	Race: Deities
	Gender: Female
	Names: Mystic Maidens, Mothers of Iron
	Father: Ukko's hands rubbed on his left knee

There are three prominent Luonnotars born of Ukko's hands rubbed on his knee. They spread "milk" (white, black and red) on the hills and mountains and so are called the "mothers of iron".

Luonnotar

Luonnotar may be the name for one of the three Luonnotars (Mystic Maidens) who was the nurse of Väinämöinen according to Crawford.

Lylikki

"Then Lylikki, snow-shoe-maker, Ancient Kauppi, master artist" -Kalevala Runo 13 "Lemminkainen's Second Wooing" (Crawford 1888)

Lylikki, also called Lyylikki, is the maker of the snow-shoe. (Crawford)

Lyylikki - see Lylikki

Maa-emæ

	Race: Deity
	Title: Mother Earth
	Gender: Female
	Names: Maa-emæ, Maanemo, Manemo, Mother Earth, Mother Of The Earth
	Spouse: Ukko

Maa-emæ is the earth goddess with great powers. She is thought to be married to Ukko. Her name is called Maanemo or Manemo by Crawford (1888).

Mahiset

The Mahiset, also spelled Maahiset, are described by Crawford (1888) as "the invisibly small deitiies of Finnish mythology".

Mammelainen

	Race: Deity
	Title: Goddess of Hidden Treasure
	Gender: Female
	Children: Serpents

Mammelainen is the hideously old goddess of hidden treasures and also thought to be the mother serpents. Hidden treasures are a recurring theme in Finnish mythology. Interestingly, hidden treasures of the earth are often found with snakes. One example is in Runo 12 where Lemminkäinen's mother describes a chest of coins found in the earth by a servant who was furrowing out a field of adders. Mammelainen is only described by Crawford in the introduction and not the rest of the runes, and confusingly enough later called Suoyatar the mother of serpents. Crawfordcites the Finnish lexicographer as calling Mammelainen "a malignant woman, the mother of the snake, and guardian of subterranean treasures."

Mana - See Tuoni

Manalainen - See Tuoni

Mariatta - See Marjatta

Marjatta

(Pronounced Mar-yah-tah)

	Race: Human
	Gender: Female
	Names: Mariatta, Marjatta, Masriatta, Muryutte
	Children: Boy (from a lingonberry)

Marjatta's name comes from the word "marja" meaning "berry". Marjatta's story is rife with barely-concealed Christian Virgin Mary and Christ symbolism. The story is told in the very last Runo and many think it was added on post-Christian influences. She lived as a pure, chaste virgin in her father's home. One day while herding sheep, she swallowed a lingonberry that magically impregnated her. Shunned by her family, she was forced to give birth to her son in a stable. She takes him to the old man Virokannas to be christened. Väinämöinen arrives to determine who the father is and decide the child's fate. As she conceived through a berry of the earth, Väinämöinen decides the boy should be "planted in the earth" and left in the forest. The one-month old boy chastises Väinämöinen for his false judgment, and when Väinämöinen acknowledges the child is his successor, summons a boat through his singing and sails off. He leaves a kantele and his songs for the people, saying that they will need him again one day.

Masriatta - See Marjatta

Matka-Teppo

Matka-Teppo is the road-god. (Crawford)

Mehilainen

Mehilainen, according to Crawford, is the honey-bee.

Melatar

	Race: Deity
	Title: Goddess of the Helm
	Gender: Female
	Names: Melatar

Melatar is the Goddess of the Helm and one of the Ahtolaiset (Water People).

Mielikki

"When the hunters were successful she was represented as beautiful and benignant, her hands glittering with gold and silver ornaments, wearing ear-rings and garlands of gold, with hair-bands silver-tinseled, on her forehead strings of pearls, and with blue stockings on her feet, and red strings in her shoes. But if the game-bag came back empty, she was described as a hateful, hideous thing, robed in untidy rags, and shod with straw."

	Race: Deity
	Title: Hostess of the Forest, Mother of the Woodland
	Gender: Female
	Names: Mielikki, Mimerkki, Honey-Rich Mother of the Woodland, Hostess of the Glen & Forest
	Spouse: Tapio
	Children: Nyrikki (son), Sima-suu (daughter)

Mielikki is a goddess of the forests. She was praised when the hunt was successful and portrayed as hateful if the hunt was unsuccessful. She has the keys to the treasury of Metsola and has a chest of honey that feeds the forest deities.

Mimerkki - See Mielikki. (Crawford)

Monjatar

Monjatar is called the daughter of the Pine-tree by Crawford.

Murikki

Murikki, also called Muurikki, is the name of the cow. (Crawford)

Muryutte - See Marjatta

Muurikki - See Murikki. (Crawford)

Nyrikki

	Race: Deity
	Gender: Male
	Names: Nyrikki
	Father: Tapio
	Mother: Mielikki

Nyrikki is a "tall and stately" forest deity that builds bridges over marshes and streams in forests that help herds navigate the woodlands. He also helps guide heroes to their favorite hunting grounds. He and his father are the only male woodland deities.

Osmotar

Osmotar is the daughter of Osmo who organizes the beer brewing for Ilmarinen's wedding-feast. She is also known as Kapo. (Crawford)

Otava

(Pronounced Oh-tah-vah)

"Tæhti and Ottava designate the Polar-star and the Great Bear respectively, as well as the deities of these bodies...Otso, the bear, according to Finnish mythology, was born on the shoulders of Otava" -Kalevala Preface (Crawford 1888)

	Race: Deity
	Title: Great Bear, Great Bear Of The Heavens
	Names: Otava, Ottava

Otava is described as the Great Bear of the heavens. Otso the bear was reared on Otava's shoulders.

Otso

"Otso was not born a beggar, Was not born among the rushes, Was not cradled in a manger; Honey-paw was born in ether, In the regions of the Moon-land, On the shoulders of Otava, With the daughters of creation" -Kalevala Runo 46

	Race: Bear
	Title: Bear of Finland, Bear of Pohjola
	Names: Otava, Ottava

Otso is the bear that Louhi threatened to drive forth into Vainola to torment the land of Kalevala. The bear was born when a daughter of creation threw wool on the ocean and hair on the rivers. Mielikki, the daughter of Tapio, sewed the wool and hair together, put them in a basket bound with gold, then rocked the baby to life in the top of a pine-tree.

Ottava - See Otava

Pæivæ

"Pæivæ means both sun and sun-god" -Kalevala Preface (Crawford 1888)

	Race: Deity
	Title: Sun, Sun-God
	Gender: Male
	Names: Pæivæ, Pœivœ
	Children: Panu

Pæivæ is the sun god who brings light and warmth to the cold lands. The Sun also helps Lemminkäinen's mother while she gathers up the pieces of her son's dead body. As a note, the word can refer to both the Sun God and the actual sun itself.

Paivatar

Paivatar is the goddess of the summer according to Crawford.

Pakkanen

	Title: Hoar-Frost,
	Names: Kura, Kuura, Pakkanen, Pokkanen, Tiera
	Father: Puhuri (North-Wind)

Pakkanen means frost and has been described as "hoar-frost" or a ball of ice. (Crawford)

Palwoinen - See Turi and also see Virokannas. (Crawford)

Panu

"Fire-Child. A synonym of Panu...Pa'nu. The Fire-Child, born from the sword of Ukko." -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

"Two sons only of Pæivæ appear in The Kalevala...the other son, Panu, the Fire-child, brings back to Kalevala the fire that bad been stolen by Louhi, the wicked hostess of Pohyola." -Kalevala Preface (Crawford 1888)

	Race: Deity
	Title: Fire-Child
	Gender: Male
	Names: Fire-Child, Panu
	Father: Pæivæ
	Children: Panu

Panu is the Fire-Child who retrieves fire after it was stolen by Louhi. According to Crawford's preface Panu is the son of Pæivæ, but according to his glossary he was born from Ukko's sword.

Para

Para presides over milk and cheese. Crawford (1888) calls Para a "tripod-deity".

Pellervoinen

(Pronounced Peller-voy-nen)

"Pellervoinen, gnome of plowland, Little Sampsa Pellervoinen, He's the boy to do the planting, Sow the seeds and sow them thickly." -Runo 2 of the Kalevala

	Race: Gnome/"Little Man"
	Title: Sower of the Forests
	Gender: Male
	Names: Pellervoinen, Pellerwoinen, Sampsa, Sampsa Pellervoinen, Sampsa Pellerwoinen

Sampsa Pellervoinen helped to plant and sow the world after Väinämöinen's birth. He sowed upon the lands, swamps, barrens and pine groves and helped to plant trees.

Pellerwoinen - See Pellervoinen

Penitar

	Race: Witch
	Gender: Female
	Children: Swift Dogs (with Ahava, the West-Wind)

Penitar  is described by Crawford as an old, blind witch who is the mother of the "swift dogs of Finland" with Ahava, the West-Wind. The swift dogs, Penitar and Ahava are only referred to by Crawford in his preface.

Pikku Mies

	Race: Deity
	Title: The Pigmy, Water Pygmy
	Gender: Male
	Names: Pikku Mies, The Pigmy

Pikku Mies is one of the Ahtolaiset (Water People). He grew from a tiny size to a gigantic heroic size and felled an enormous oak tree with his axe to aid Väinämöinen.

Pilajatar

	Race: Deity
	Title: Goddess of the Mountain Ash
	Gender: Female
	Names: Pilajatar, Pilayatar
	Parent: Aspen

Pilajatar is described as the daughter of the aspen, and servant of Tapio, the woodland god.

Pilayatar - See Pilajatar

Piltti

Piltti is a maid-servant of Marjatta. (Crawford)

Piru - See Hiisi

"Hi'si (original Hiisi). The Evil Principle; also called Jutas, Lempo, and Piru" -Kalevala Glossary (Crawford 1888)

Pokkanen - See Pakkanen

Puhhuri

	Race: Deity
	Title: North-Wind
	Gender: Male
	Children: Pakkanen

Puhhuri is the name of the North-Wind and the father of Pokkanen according to Crawford (1888).

Remmen

Remmen is called the father of the hop-vine. (Crawford)

Remu - See Remmen

Ruotus

Ruotus is one who persecuted Marjatta, the virgin. (Crawford)

Sahri

Sahri is the parent of Kulli. (Crawford)

Sampsa - See Pellervoinen

Sampsa Pellervoinen - See "Pellervoinen"

(Pronounced Sahmp-sah Peller-voy-nen)

"Pellervoinen, gnome of plowland, Little Sampsa Pellervoinen, He's the boy to do the planting, Sow the seeds and sow them thickly." -Runo 2 of the Kalevala

Sampsa Pellerwoinen - See Pellervoinen

Satka

Satka is a goddess of the sea. (Crawford)

Sima-Suu

	Race: Deity
	Gender: Female
	Names: Sima-suu, Honey Mouth
	Father: Tapio
	Mother: Myielikki

Sima-Suu is a "tiny" woodland deity whose name means "honey mouth". She plays on a honey-flute (sima-pilli) to help guide hunters.

Sinetar

Sinetar is the goddess of the blue sky. (Crawford)

Sinettaret

Sinettaret is the goddesses of dyeing - as in "dye", not "die". (Crawford).

Sukkamieli

Sukkamieli is the goddess of love. (Crawford)

Suonetar

Suonetar, also spelled Swonetar, is the goddess of the veins. (Crawford)

Suowakko

Suowakko is an old wizard of Pohjola. (Crawford)

Suoyatar

"Suoyatar, thine ancient mother, Thing of evil, thy creator!" -Kalevala Runo 26 (Crawford 1888)

"Thus the serpent, thing of evil, Filling all the world with trouble, Was created in the waters Born from Suoyatar, its maker." -Kalevala Runo 15 "Lemminkainen's Restoration" (Crawford 1888)

	Gender: Female
	Names: Suoyatar, Syojatar

Suoyatar, also called Syojatar, was brought into existence concurrently with Hiisi. She is the mother of the serpent that was formed from its spit and then life breathed into it by Hiisi.

Suvetar

	Race: Deity
	Title: Goddess of the South-Wind
	Gender: Female
	Names: Suvetar

Suvetar is the goddess of the south-wind. Her name comes from the word "suve" for "south" or "summer". She heals her sick followers with honey that she drops from the clouds and protects grazing herds.

Suwantolainen

Suwantolainen is another name for Väinämöinen. (Crawford)

Swonetar - See Suonetar

Syojatar - See Suoyatar (Crawford)

Tæhti

	Race: Deity
	Title: Polar-Star
	Names: Tæhti, Taehti

Tæhti rules the polar star.

Tahetar

Tahetar is called the daughter of the stars by Crawford (1888)

Taivas

Taivas is "the firmament in general" according to Crawford (1888).

Tapio

(Pronounced Tah-pee-oh)

	Race: Deity
	Title: God of the Forest & Woodlands
	Gender: Male
	Names: Knikkano, Knippana, Tapio, Tupio, Forest Friend, Gracious God of the Woodlands
	Spouse: Mielikki
	Children: Nyrikki (son), Sima-suu (daughter), Tellervo (daughter), Tulikki (daughter)

Tapio is the forest and woodland god that is described as tall and slender, with a coat of tree moss and a hat of fir-leaves who lives in Metsola.

Tellervo

Tellervo is Tapio's daughter. (Crawford)

Terhenetar

Terhenetar is the daughter of the fog. (Crawford)

Tiera - See Pakkanen

Tonttu

Tonttu is a little house-spirit according to Crawford (1888).

Tuametar

Tuameter is the daughter of the Alder-tree. (Crawford)

Tuletar

Tuletar is a goddess of the winds. (Crawford)

Tulikki

Tulikki, also known as Tuullikki, is a daughter of Tapio. (Crawford)

Tuoen Poika

	Race: Deity
	Title: God of the Red Cheeks
	Gender: Male
	Names: Tuoen Poika, Tuonen Poika
	Father: Tuoni
	Mother: Tuoni's wife

Tuoen Poika is the son of the underworld god Tuoni and his witch-wife. He is responsible for chopping Lemminkäinen's body into pieces and throwing it into the river of death.

Tuonen Poika - See Tuoen Poika

Tuonetar

	Race: Deity?
	Title: Hostess of Tuonela
	Gender: Female
	Father: Tuoni

Tuonetar is the hostess of Tuonela and a daughter of Tuoni.

Tuoni

(Pronounced Twah-nee)

	Race: Deity
	Title: God of Death
	Gender: Male
	Names: Tuoni, Mana
	Children: 3 daughters (Lowyatar), 1 son (Tuoen Poika)

Tuoni is the god of the underworld who lives in Tuonela (the land of the dead) with his wife and their frightful children. His wife is a horrible with with three fingers on each hand and a hat drawn to her shoulders. She was called "the good hostess" for providing her guests with all manner of disgusting fare to eat; including worms, toads, lizards and snakes.

The pair has a trio of well-known daughters. One of the daughters warns Väinämöinen against crossing the river of death, but eventually gives in to his arguing and ferries him over to her father's side of the river. Tuoni tries to trap Väinämöinen but does not succeed. His second daughter, Lowyatar, is blind and after impregnation from the east-wind gave birth to the spirits of the nine most dreaded diseases (colic, pleurisy, fever, ulcer, plague, consumption, gout, sterility and cancer". The third daughter is the mother and jailer of diseases, evil spirits and devils that are imprisoned in a dungeon beneath a rock of the Tuoni river. She grinds the rock like a millstone on the diseases until they escape and torture mankind. Interestingly enough, while the three daughters don't have names, the rock above the dungeon does have a name - Kipu-Kivi or Kipuvuori. Last but not least, Tuoni's son, Tuoen Poika, is also responsible for chopping Lemminkäinen's body into pieces and throwing it into the river of death.

Turi

Turi is the god of the Honey-land. (Crawford)

Tursas

	Race: Gnome
	Title: Sea Gnome
	Gender: Male

Tursas helped burn hay that was gathered by five water nymphs to nurture an acorn that grows into the first oak tree.

Turyalander

Turyalander is an "epithet" referring to someone from the tribe of Louhi.

Tuuletar - See Tuletar (Crawford)

Tuullikki - See Tulikki

Tuuri - See Turi (Crawford)

Ukko

"Then that Ukko, God on high, Paternal ruler of the skies, Held his court among the clouds, Gave clear council in assembly: Sprouted up a cloud from eastward, From the northwest raised another, Sent one also from the westward, Hastened others from the south. Then he pushed the clouds together Edge to edge in one great mass, Sent a misty rain from heaven, Sprinkled honey from the clouds Over all the sprouting seedlings Down upon the rustling crops. Then indeed a seedling rose, And the stump-moss grew out greenly From the soft soil of the ploughland Out of Väinämöinen's labor." -Runo 2, "The Sowing", Kalevala

"Ukko, lord of heaven above, Rubbed his palms, then pressed them down Both together on his left knee, This gave birth to three young maidens, All of them creation's daughters, Mothers to the ore of iron, Begetters of the blue-bite metal. -Runo 9

	Race: Deity
	Title: God of sky, thunder, weather, crops, harvest, etc.
	Gender: Male
	Names: Ukko meaning "Old Man" or "Old Being", Ylijumala ("Overgod"), "Father of the Heavens", "God of the Breezes", "Golden King", "Great Sprit", "Leader of the Clouds", "Pivot of the Heavens", Shepherd of the Lamb-Clouds",  "Silvern Ruler of the Air", "The Thunderer"
	Wife: Akka or Maa-emæ

Ukko is the highest and most important Finnish god. His presence is indicated by nature; thunder, lightning, sunshine, frost, snow, hail, ice, clouds, rain and wind. He is often shown with a chariot or sitting on a cloud in the sky. He is depicted with weapons, such as the copper/bronze arrows, boat-shaped stone axe and uses his hammer and sword to make lightning. He is notorious for not answering the prayers and calls that are directed to him. Ilmatar begged his help in delivering Väinämöinen, to no avail. Some suggest he is married to the mother earth, Maa-emæ but others suggest his wife is Akka. His abode is called Jumala, but the term "Jumala" is sometimes used interchangeably with both the names "Ukko" and the Christian God so it can be confusing.

"Ukko, lord of heaven above...Ukko, thou the high Creator, And the lord of all the heavens, Thou hast parted air from water And the water from the land...O thou Ukko, high Creator, Jumala, thou heavenly father, Come, O come where thou art needed, Come, O come where thou art called" -Runo 9

"0 thou Ukko, lord of all, Hear me, thou the all-sustainer" -Entreaty from Ilmatar, Runo 1, Kalevala

"0 Thou Ukko, God of gods, Ancient Father of the heavens, Thou, the speaker from the clouds, Whose word is heard across the heavens!" -Runo 12

Undutar - See Untar. (Crawford)

Uni

Uni is the god of sleep. (Crawford)

Untamala

Only, left Kalervo's daughter, With her unborn child, survivors Of the slaughter of Untamo...Time had gone but little distance, Ere a boy was born in magic Of the virgin, Untamala, Of a mother, trouble-laden, Him the mother named Kullervo" -Kalevala Runo 31 "Kullerwoinen Son of Evil" (Crawford 1888)

Untamala is the daughter of Kalervo who gave a virgin-birth to Kullervo, the boy who swore to avenge the murder of his people.

Untamo

(Pronounced Oon-tah-mo)

"Spoke to Untamo, the dreamer: "Tell me now what you have dreamed Lying stretched out on the ground" -Runo 5, Kalevala

	Race: Spirit
	Title: Dreamer, Sprit of Sleep
	Gender: Male
	Names: Untamo, Unto

Untamo is a dreamer and the god of dreams. He describes to Väinämöinen where the sea maidens of Ahto live; "On that misty point of land At the head of Foggy Island, Underneath the seawaves deep On the black ooze at the bottom." He is described by Crawford as "a brother o