Get to know in detail the Estonian Mythology. Discover its origins, legends, gods and most fascinating beings, surprise yourself with its past.
Estonian Mythology
Estonian mythology refers to the collection of myths and legends that originated among the Estonian people before the invasions of colonization. Because the tradition of transferring Estonian beliefs from generation to generation was done orally, there are few existing records of this mythology.
However, it could be said on the basis of some accounts that still survive to this day that the original mythology of the Estonian people was based on the mixture of religion between the Finno-Baltic and Finno-Ugric tribes with a diversity of myths and sacred texts.
History of Estonian mythology
Estonian mythology has been strongly influenced by the power of its invaders since the 13th century; for this reason there are very few existing records of Estonian beliefs before that time.
This is due to the fact that the tradition of transmitting the original customs and beliefs of the Estonian people was based on oral custom from generation to generation. This lasted until the arrival of foreigners who violently subjected the Estonian people to their own culture.
Forcing them to enter Christianity, for being considered a “pagan” people. However, in the few legends that have survived time, it could be said that Estonian mythology is based on deities from nature.
Among the most important deities of pre-Christian times, we find the thunder god Pikne also called “Pikker”; which is directly related to the legend of “Pikker’s trumpet” played by the supreme deity Kreutzwald.
Within the mythology of ancient Estonia, the union of all the peoples that arrived to the Baltic coasts is reflected, mainly the influence in the folklore of the Estonian people of the culture of the Finno-Ugric and Balto-Finnish peoples for more than a thousand years.
Ancient myths stemming from Estonian mythology
Ancient myths coming from the Estonian people before the arrival of their invaders are contained in “runo songs”. Among them are the oldest myths from Estonian mythology.
In one of these songs, the creation of the world is explained in view of Estonian mythology, where they share the belief with the Finno-Ugric peoples that the world came from an egg. They also speak of a world from which their ancestors came.
The world of the ancestors was a mystical tree, of which one of its branches comprised the Milky Way and thus existence was subdivided. After the cultural exchange between the Estonian people and the Baltic and Germanic tribes, Estonian mythology underwent changes in their beliefs.
The personifications of higher deities, directly connected with nature, began. Especially in the countryside, where Estonian farmers were located; they had a strong belief in climatic and fertility gods.
There are also mystical songs about giants, unexplained natural events or phenomena, meteorites that fell on Estonian territory thousands of years ago, among others.
Beliefs of Estonian mythology
- When an oak tree is healthy and strong and starts its growth pointing to the sky, it is believed that it will be chosen for the elaboration of mystical objects in Estonian mythology.
- For Estonians the moon, the sun and the stars; in ancient times they were human beings who wanted a beautiful young woman. When she decided on the stars, they all became what they are and ascended to heaven.
- When a blacksmith tends to develop great skills, he can make women made of pure gold; however, he is not allowed to as these cannot have souls.
- The Estonians had the belief, that when a loving couple takes it upon themselves to disrespect a grove, it withers. The only way to reverse this effect was by sacrificing nine siblings, thus eliminating the evil spell.
- When a giant and fearsome bull appears in the village, only the youngest brother of the heroes of Estonian mythology is able to defeat him.
- When an incestuous couple, like the sin of desecrating a lake; it changes its place.
Gods and other beings of Estonian mythology
1.- Hiid
This is the way they named “the giants of Estonian mythology”. These mythological beings were directly connected with the protection of nature; especially heroic guardians of the sea and the forest.
The most famous giant in Estonian mythology is “Suur Tóll”; he was a legendary hero who defended the island of Saaremaa from invaders. When he died, he promised to continue protecting the villagers in spirit.
2.- Ahti
Ahti is the god of the seas, well known for dispensing justice among all living creatures of the sea bed, as well as fishermen.
It is believed that Ahti’s home is at the bottom of the sea, in a castle called “Ahtola”, where he lives with his wife. He is characterized by having a very long beard, which is made from seaweed.
3.- Soovana
In Estonian mythology, Soovana is the protective guardian of people who are lost in the fog. His domain is all those wet lands of Estonia. He uses his eyes, which emit a great flash, to guide navigators through the fog.
4.- Näkk
It is an aquatic creature of Estonian myology, which has the ability to take human form. It can transform into a woman or a man, it usually lives in ponds and rivers; for this reason it is called “the lake charmer”.
Other mythological beings
- Áitar: is a female demon of Estonian mythology.
- Eksitaja: demon that guides people to get lost in the Estonian forests.
- Haldjas: elf of the forest, protector of all the animals and plants that inhabit the forest.
- Hingeliblikas: a butterfly-shaped spirit from Estonian mythology.
- Ilmarine: also called “Ilmasepp”, is a mystical blacksmith protagonist of the legend of the sun and the moon.
- Jutta: is the queen goddess of all birds.
- Kalm: is the king of the world of the dead.
- Laurits: the god of fire.
- Toor: legendary hero of Estonian mythology.
- Vanemuine: the deity of Estonian music.
- Jurï: deity in charge of the fertility of the earth.
- Tönn: is the god of the harvest, in the agriculture of Estonian mythology.
Legends of Estonian mythology
1.- The legend of Linda
In Estonian mythology, Linda is the mother of the giant hero Kalevipoeg; and the god Kalev was her husband. In the lake Ülemiste, there is a big rock in the middle called “Lindakivi”; which means “Linda’s rock”.
There is a legend in Tallinn, Estonia; where it is said that Kalevipoeg gave this name to the rock in honor of his mother. Since in that lake, a tragic accident happened to Linda.
2.- Old Thomas
In ancient times, it was a custom in Estonia to have a bow and arrow competition; it consisted of hanging a wooden parrot on the top of a hill and the one who knocked it down would be the winner.
However, only those who belonged to Estonian noble families could participate. But there was a boy named “Tomas”, he was filled with courage and since he had knowledge with the bow and arrow he dared to participate and he was the only one who managed to bring down the parrot.
Tomas feared that he would be arrested for his daring, so he fled; but it turned out that he was recruited as an apprentice guard because of his skills. And to everyone’s surprise he became the best soldier; his exploits in the Livonian war marked his legacy for history in Estonian mythology.
3.- Old Lake Ülemiste
This is the legend of an old man named “Ülemiste Vanake”, who lives in the lake surrounding the town of Tallinn. It is believed that every autumn, he visits the village from house to house to ask if the village is finished or there is any construction to be completed.
When he is answered that it is not finished, old Ülemiste goes peacefully to the lake and does not return until the next autumn. If, on the other hand, they answer yes; according to the beliefs of Estonian mythology, the old man will flood the village with the waters of the Lake.
4.- The legend of St. Olaf’s Church
It tells how the town’s church was built; they wanted it to be the tallest in the whole region to attract many people. Only an outsider dared to build it, but the payment was so large that the town could not afford it.
However, the stranger agreed to do the church for free if they would guess what his name was. But no one was able to have a conversation with the man, so they decided to place a spy who managed to get his home. In that house there was a woman singing a lullaby to a baby indicating that soon “Olaf” would arrive.
The spy with this information ran to the town, when he saw the stranger at the top of the church placing the cross; he shouted loudly “Olaf, the cross is crooked”; but this disconcerted the man causing him to fall into the void and die. From then on the name of the church was “St. Olaf’s church”.
5.- The devil’s wedding
It is the legend of a very wealthy man from Estonia, who squandered all his fortune. When he was on the verge of bankruptcy and suicide; there came to his house a very strange being who offered to give him all his fortune back and more on one condition.
He had to let that strange man use the upper room of his house for one night, the reason was to have a party. However, he told him that no one could see what was going on there or he would end his life.
The owner of the house accepted, desperate to recover his fortune, at the end of the party the house was empty and the wealthy man recovered his riches to continue squandering. But at dawn, his butler died; but first he confessed to the village priest that he had seen that the party was the celebration of “the devil’s wedding”.
6.- Marzipan
Also called the legend of “Mart’s bread”; it is the story of how according to the beliefs of Estonian mythology the syrupy mixture of almond candy and sugar originates from this region. Specifically, in the pharmacy that is in the town hall square of the town of Tallinn in Estonia.
It all started when the town councilman, unable to find a cure for his illness, turned to the only pharmacy in town and the apothecary ordered his apprentice pharmacist named Mart to make the preparation.
Mart, in making the mixture, replaced the bitter ingredients with sweet flavors. When the councilman took it, he felt better and was also so delighted with its taste that he ordered it to be mass-produced. Thus, the medicine became famous throughout Estonia and was called “Mardileib or Mart’s bread”.
7.- The old city of Tallinn
It is the legend of the origin of the city of Tallinn, according to the beliefs of the Estonian people; this city was created on the grave of the legendary giant of Estonian mythology “Kalev”. There is a hill called Toompea, and it is believed that the statue on it is Linda Kalev’s wife.
8.- The legend of Kalevipoeg
This is a very popular mystical book in Estonia, in fact it is considered “the national epic of Estonian mythology”. This book tells the story of the most legendary giant hero who marked the history of the Estonian people.
It describes his whole life, all the places he was, his most important exploits, his relationship with Linda, his confrontation with wizards, spells, curses, among others. He is a prominent hero in Estonian folklore and is present in most of its stories and tales.
Mystical objects that belong to Estonian mythology
- White ship: it was created around the year 1980, according to the beliefs of the Estonian people, this mystical ship had the function of providing freedom to anyone who boarded it; taking them to better places than they were.
- Nail hat: this object is also called “vanatühi”; and has the ability to give the power of invisibility to anyone who wears it.
- Gloves: they are made with a special material and a geometric sequence, which makes them special; that is, they give magical powers. According to beliefs, if they came from someone ecclesiastical they had more power.
- Belt: one of the oldest and most powerful mystical objects in Estonian mythology. They were engraved with magical symbols and patterns, which increased their power. In addition, it was also very common to use them in human sacrifices.
- Travelling forests: these are very popular in the coastal area of Estonia. Where it is believed, that when a family is very wealthy but also very cruel to those around them; the forests abandon them.
- Sacred stones: these stones are formations that have their origin at the end of the ice age. They appeared in the erratic forests of Estonia, and were the site of sacrificial offerings, precious jewels, blood, among others. The purpose of these offerings was to ask for protection.
Conclusion
Estonian mythology is based on stories about goblins, fairies, giants, spirits and demonic beings, which make up their original beliefs, before the influence of the cultures of the people who invaded the Estonian lands.
Despite being one of the European cultures with less information and mythological records of their rites, customs and gods; Estonian mythology is a very rich and simple culture to understand before the world. It is also directly related to the Finno-Baltic culture.
