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Not everybody saw the Aurora as a harbinger of doom. So when kids whistle at the lights, they come closer and closer and eventually they will take your head and play soccer with it. In Wisconsin, the Fox Indians thought the Northern Lights were the restless spirits of their slain enemies attempting to rise again for revenge—and were an omen of pestilence and war. Odin was the chief god and ruler of Asgard, revered by all Vikings. He built large fires, of which the northern lights are the reflections, to remind his people that he still thinks of them. In Canada and northern Michigan, Algonquin tribes believed the creator of the Earth, Nanabozho, moved to the far north and lit a huge fire. Imagine gazing up at green, red and purple lights flickering … Read more on signatureluxurytravel.com.au. Whether a harbinger of good or evil, the lights were as magical and revered as they continue to be today. Northern Lights from your Greenland cruise. This version would have also helped explain to the people why the lights were only visible in winter, as there is no snowfall in the summer months. In Icelandic folklore, they believed the Northern Lights helped to ease the pain of childbirth, but pregnant women were not to look directly at them or their child would be born cross-eyed. northern lights, myths and morals Shimmering over the winter heavens, the northern lights create wonder everywhere it is seen. Captivating, for sure. Scary? Scary Northern Lights Myths and Legends Ali Mclean Tuesday, 13 October 2015 . He loved to paint, especially the night-time starry skies. It's no wonder the aurora borealis have influenced folklore and stories through the ages. A similar version of this story tells that as the fire foxes ran, their tails swept snowflakes up into the sky, which caught the moonlight and created the Northern Lights. These Norse myths and legends come from the Nordic countries in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic. For them, an Aurora sighting brought good fortune and the promise of a hefty catch. Great Plains Indians also believed the lights were the reflection of large fires, but not one made by a loving creator. Join us on a Hurtigruten Northern Lights cruise to hunt the Aurora for yourself, or learn more about the science behind the lights. Talented too. There ones lived a boy on the North Pole. Not all native communities in North America were comforted by the presence of the Northern Lights; many believed they were an evil omen... Great Plains Indians believed the lights were the reflection of large fires, but not one made by a loving creator. Advertising cookies are set to manage how our advertising collect information about your activities on this site, in order to provide you relevant targeted advertising. Theirs were the reflections of giant flames under huge cooking pots, lit by northern tribes to cook their enemies. In the Hebrides, bloodstones are a common sight. When foreigners are asked about Norway, … One legend suggests that the lights were reflections or glow from the shields and armour of the Valkyrie, female warriors who would choose who may die in battle and who may live to fight another day. While the Northern Lights are most frequently and intensely seen in the Auroral Oval above the Arctic Circle, they also make occasional appearances further south, when there’s a burst of solar activity. In other stories, the Aurora was believed to be the ‘Bifrost Bridge’, a glowing, pulsing arch which led fallen warriors to their final resting place in Valhalla. This name … According to Estonian myths northern lights were created when humpback whales were playing games and their scales are reflected into the night sky. Often, the myths explained the lights using stories about animals and nature. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that every day Aurora raced across the sky in her chariot, alerting her brother and sister to the breaking of the new day. In some legends, they claim the Aurora was the final breath of brave soldiers who died in combat. The Vikings believed the Northern Lights illuminating the sky were the reflections of the Valkyries’ armour as they led the warriors to Odin. And in Norway, the Northern Lights were believed to be the souls of old maids dancing in the heavens and waving at those below.Whichever fantastical tale captures your imagination, one thing is certain: the Northern Lights were assigned great power and significance by the peoples of ancient Nordic societies. The Finnish word for the Northern Lights translates to “fox fires”. In the weeks before the monarchy was overthrown, a bright red Aurora was seen in the skies over England and Scotland and people reported hearing huge armies battling in the skies. Imagine gazing up at green, red and purple lights flickering across the sky. The Finns also thought that the light was caused by animals, but not by birds or fish. Meanwhile, the Vikings celebrated the lights, thinking they were earthly manifestations of … Swedish fishermen looked forward to seeing the aurora, as they thought the lights were the reflections of giant schools of herring swimming nearby. The Scots called the Northern Lights “Merry Dancers”, but, despite the cheery name, the ‘dancers’ depicted fallen angels or sky warriors engaged in an epic battle. Seneca observed: There are chasmata, when a… In Greco-Roman mythology, Aurora is the personification of the dawn, and the sister of the sun and the moon. This version would have also explained why the lights were only visible in winter, as there is no snowfall in the summer months. In Greenland, people held the bittersweet belief that the lights were the spirits of children, who had died in childbirth, dancing across the sky, while in Norway, the Northern Lights were believed to be the souls of old maids dancing in the heavens and waving at those below.Whichever fantastical tale captures your imagination, one thing is certain, the Northern Lights were assigned great power and significance by the peoples of ancient Nordic societies. The lights have been described in ancient times by indigenous peoples, polar explorers and even mentioned in the Old Testament. When the Aurora appears further south in Europe, the lights often take on a deep, reddish hue. The Menominee Indians of Wisconsin believed what they saw were gentle giants fishing at night, and that the lights were created by their torches as they fished. Dying in battle seemed to occupy Norse mythology quite a bit and the Aurora was also believed to be “Bifrost Bridge”, a glowing and pulsating … An Algonquin myth tells of when Nanahbozho, creator of the Earth, had finished his task of the creation, he traveled to the north, where he remained. How they formed? But not all North American legends painted the Northern Lights as quite so benevolent. According to legend, some of the swans became trapped in the ice and as they tried to escape, they flapped their wings creating flurries of light in the sky. It is thought that the early dragon legends of China and Europe originated from the aurora, as people imagined firey breath flashing across the sky.. 09 Dec 2020 | Arctic History. Broomfield... 'Bad luck'. The appearance of the Northern Lights was a bad omen. Danger in the Sky! History of the Northern Lights: Myths and Legends Norse Myths and Legends North American Myths and Legends European Myths It’s no wonder the Aurora Borealis have influenced folklore and stories through the ages. Vikings celebrated the lights, believing they were earthly manifestations of their gods, while other Norse people feared them, telling stories of the dangers they posed and developing superstitions to protect themselves. This explains why in continental Europe, many considered the dancing, blood-red streaks of the Aurora to be an evil omen. The Inuits of northern Greenland believed the lights were the spirits of the dead playing celestial games with a walrus skull, while other local Inuit communities believed walruses were playing games with a human skull. In Hudson Bay, Canada, they believed the lights were the lanterns of demons chasing lost souls. Some of these are necessary to make the website work, others give you a tailor-made experience and relevant marketing. The appearance of the Northern Lights was a bad omen. Norwegian scientist Kristian Birkeland is known as … Sign up for our newsletter today to receive €90 Onboard Credit on Your First Cruise. Even now, with all of our scientific explanations of the Northern Lights, it can still feel like a spiritual experience. The scientific explanation of the northern lights is “a solar wind that sends charged particles towards the Earth, and upon colliding with its atmosphere they produce energy given off as light. Some spoke of the aurora appearing when whales were playing games, while the Danes believed the lights were caused by swans competing to see who could fly further north. There’s something mystifying seeing the northern lights. In old Norse mythology, the Northern Lights were said to be “Bifrost”, a burning rainbow bridge between Midgard (Earth) and Åsgard (the realm of the gods). By. Verified Local. Across Scandinavia, the Vikings thought that the lights were the spears, armor and helmets of the brave warrior women known as the Valkyries. Over time they have inspired multiple stories in societies the world over. The frightened onlookers believed it foretold of impending war and death. According to legend, some of the swans became trapped in the ice and as they tried to escape, they flapped their wings creating flurries of light in the sky. It happened several years ago on the Horn Plateau, a prominent landform in the Northwest Territories' South... 'They'll come down and chop your head off'. Other stories hinted that the light was being reflected from the shields of the Valkyrie, the female angels of death who led fallen warriors to Valhalla. In others, the Aurora was believed to be the 'Bifrost Bridge,' a glowing, pulsing arch which led fallen warriors to their final resting place in Valhalla. Who solved the mystery of the Northern Lights? Before man could explain the origin of the Aurora through science, people invented stories to make sense of their existence. Myths Surrounding the Northern Lights Learn About the Myths and Legends of the Fabled Aurora. Today we know the science behind the lights, but back then, stories painted them as everything from bridges to the afterlife and football players to dangerous monsters and warning signs. These fire foxes would run through the sky so fast that when their large, furry tails brushed against the mountains, they created sparks that lit up the sky. In Icelandic folklore, they believed the Northern Lights helped to ease the pain of childbirth, but pregnant women were not to look directly at them or their child would be born cross-eyed. The Northern Lights have inspired some of the most dramatic tales in Norse mythology. To this day, many Sámi stay indoors when the Northern Lights are illuminating the sky, just to be on the safe side. Throughout history, the European continent has had many sightings of the Aurora Borealis; all of which have given us a rich trove of myths and tales. When the lights appeared as an ominous, crimson presence in the skies above Europe, they were often seen as a portent of war or other dangers. Norse Myths & Legends The Northern Lights have inspired some of the most dramatic tales in Norse mythology. To this day, many Sámi stay indoors when the Northern Lights are illuminating the sky, just to be on the safe side. Often, the myths explained the lights using stories about animals and nature. For them, an aurora sighting brought good fortune and the promise of a hefty catch. The Valkyries—female warriors on horseback, who wore armour and carried spears and shields—were tasked with leading Odin’s chosen warriors to Valhalla. Many of the stories surrounding the Northern Lights in North American communities arose from the belief that they were the souls of departed ancestors. To give you a better experience while using our website, Hurtigruten uses cookies. This is the explanation given by the Sami people. Watching the Northern Lights stretch across the sky, it’s easy to imagine how this story took form.These are just a few of the many myths and legends that have been told by Europeans over the centuries as people tried to make sense of the Northern Lights. Some spoke of the Aurora appearing when whales were playing games, while the Danes believed the lights were caused by swans competing to see who could fly further north. Aurora Borealis, surpassing any other forms of light show created by man. One of the most common legends surrounding the northern lights concerned those who have passed into the Great Beyond. These complex mythologies were by no means the only ones to take root in Norse societies. The Aurora was a reflection of this fire, created to let his people know that even though he was far away, he was still thinking of them. In the weeks before the monarchy was overthrown, a bright red Aurora was seen in the skies over England and Scotland, and people reported hearing huge armies battling in the skies. I know in Norway they have stories about trollings, in Denmark there is a bunch of stories by H.C. Andersen, and here in Greenland we also have many stories. Wayne Broomfield has been listening for that crackling for years. Burgas , Bulgaria Ever wondered where the northern lights come from? In hushed tones, he told us that one freezing night in the forest all the animals were shivering with cold, but, legend has it, the cu… He was a splendid young man. Thought to be the souls of the dead, the Sámi believed you shouldn’t talk about the Northern Lights, nor should you tease them—waving, whistling, or singing under them would alert the lights to your presence. A more sinister interpretation was that the Northern Lights could reach down and slice off your head! … About a century later, British astronomer Edmund Halley thought that the lights were caused by luminous material seeping from cracks in the earth’s crust. In Greenland, the native tribes believed that the lights of aurora borealis sprang from the spirits of children and stillborn babies. Many of us who live in the Northern areas of the American Continent have had the delightful experience of watching the magnificent display of moving multi-coloured, misty lights, as they flash across the night skies. Legend of the Northern Lights An Ojibwa Legend. While the Northern Lights are most frequently and intensely seen in the Auroral Oval above the Arctic Circle, they do also make occasional appearances further south, when there’s a burst of solar activity. To communicate with people on Earth, they believed the Northern Lights made a whistling sound, which was to be answered by humans with whispers. Sign up for our newsletter today to receive $100 Onboard Credit on Your First Cruise, 8665520371or contact a Certified Hurtigruten Specialist, 1505 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 125, Seattle, WA 98109, We at Hurtigruten use cookies to optimize our websites for your needs. When the lights appeared as an ominous, crimson presence in the skies above Europe, they were often seen as a portent of war or other dangers. Why You Should Visit Norway During Winter. Having influenced art, history, and religion, the myths and legends behind the Northern Lights are a fascinating insight into the mindset of different people across continents. By using this website you consent to our, The Northern Lights: Frequently Asked Questions. The Inuits of northern Greenland believed the lights were the spirits of the dead playing celestial games with a walrus skull, while other local Inuit communities believed walruses were playing games with a human skull. The northern lights play a part in Chinese dragon legends. The Menominee Indians of Wisconsin believed what they saw were gentle giants fishing at night, and that the lights were created by their torches as they fished. 27 June 2015 The origin of the northern lights have various explanations in folklore and mythology. Legends of the northern lights 'A visitor'. For the Sámi, the indigenous Finno-Ugric people, the lights didn’t tell stories of heroism and bravery; instead, they were to be feared and respected in equal measure. Galileo Gallilee witnessed the northern lights in 1621 and coined the phrase aurora borealis (aurora for goddess of the dawn, borealis for the Greek god of the north wind), but he thought it was caused by sunlight reflecting off the Earth’s atmosphere. Finnish mythical foxes. Analytics cookies collect information about your use of the site, and enable us to improve the way it works. In Greenland, people held the bittersweet belief that the lights were the spirits of children who had died in childbirth, dancing across the sky. Northern Lights; Scary; Myths; Legends; winter; Aurora Borealis; SHARE THIS: Our forefathers believed that the Northern Lights were anything from spirits of the departed to vanquished warriors to the gods themselves. In Nordic Mythology among the Swedish, the Northern Lights were viewed as a positive sign. In Finland, the name for the Northern Lights is revontulet, literally translated as ‘fire fox’. The colours of the Northern Lights changes from blue, green, purple, yellow and violet, Frequently Asked Questions: the Northern Lights. The sparkling tail of the elusive firefox. Swedish fishermen looked forward to seeing the Aurora, as they thought the lights were the reflections of giant schools of herring swimming nearby. Like so many natural wonders it can leave you awe-struck at their magnitude and humbled. Estonians believed that the bright lighting of the skies was sleighs taking guests to a spectacular wedding celebration in the heavens. It's no wonder the aurora borealis have influenced folklore and stories through the ages. The name comes from the rather beautiful myth that Arctic foxes produced the Aurora. If you caught their attention, the lights could reach down and carry you up into the sky. For instance, in the late 18th century, the onset of the French Revolution threw the country into turmoil. To communicate with people on Earth, they believed the Northern Lights made a whistling sound, which was to be answered by humans with whispers. Photo: Jens Mayer, Allen Hwang and Richard Hoeg. Contact Renate Westlien. While today we know the exact origin of the Northern Lights, people from many nations still carry forward their own legends and beliefs. Imagine gazing up at green, red, and purple lights flickering across the sky.

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