Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
A haltija (haltia) is a spirit, gnome, or elf-like creature in Finnish mythology that guards, helps, or protects something or somebody. The word is possibly derived from the Gothic haltijar, which referred to the original settler of a homestead—although this is not the only possible etymology.
Every human has a haltija, usually called haltijasielu (haltija soul) or luontohaltija (nature haltija), which is one of the three parts of a person's soul. The tradition blends with the Swedish tomte: the Finnish tonttu was a being analogous to haltija, but which lives in a building, like a home (kotitonttu) or a sauna (saunatonttu).
In Finnish folklore, all places and things, and also human beings, have a haltija (a genius, guardian spirit) of their own. One such haltija is called etiäinen—an image, doppelgänger, or just an impression that goes ahead of a person, doing things the person in question later does. For example, people waiting for someone at home might hear ...
Finnish mythology commonly refers of the folklore of Finnish paganism, of which a modern revival is practiced by a small percentage of the Finnish people. It has many shared features with Estonian and other Finnic mythologies, but also with neighbouring Baltic , Slavic and, to a lesser extent, Norse mythologies.
In Finnish folklore, Etiäinen refers to a haltija (genie, guardian spirit), that is, an image, doppelgänger or just an impression that goes ahead of a person. Etiäinen may also refer to: "Etiäinen" (song), a song by Finnish symphonic power metal band Nightwish, first recorded in 1996
Haltija – A spirit, gnome, or elf-like creature in Finnish mythology that guards, helps, or protects something or somebody. Harpy – Female creatures with bird wings. Hecatonchires – in Greek mythology, three sons of Uranus being hundred-handed giants with fifty heads. Hobgoblins – Mischievous household spirits.
Haltija – spirit that protects a specific place; Hamadryad – oak tree nymph; Hamingja (Scandinavian) – personal protection spirit; Hamsa (Buddhist, Hindu and Jainism) – mystic bird; Hanau epe – long-eared humanoid; Hantu Air – shapeshifting water spirit; Hantu Demon – demon
Finland is a country with a rich and varied folklore tradition. The country's long and complex history has led to the development of a wide range of folktales, legends, and beliefs, which vary considerably depending on where in Finland you are.