If you want to get deeper into folktales and legends from Norse times, check out Reimund Kvideland and Henning Sehmsdorf’s book here. In Swedish, the name for Mare is Mardom, which means “mare-ride” or “mare-dream”. Mare is a common part of Germanic folklore, but she does have different names and shapes depending on where in Scandinavia you visit. The Mare is one of the better-known spirits in Scandinavia, often associated with bad dreams.Īpparently, she sits on people when they sleep and fills their mind with nightmares. Vette or Vættirįrom peaceful Norse creatures, to Scandinavian monsters, the Vættir are spirits and supernatural beings. You can find some stories about dwarves and elves in the Nordic Tales book by Ulla Thynell. These fair and beautiful creatures are often peaceful in Scandinavian stories and usually have long lives which made them wise. They were smaller people with long beards who were masters at smithing.Įlves, on the other hand, lived in the castle of Froy. These Scandinavian creatures actually originate from North Mythology.Īccording to legend, the dwarves lived in their own region of Midgard, hidden from humans. Dwarves and elvesĭwarves and elves are some of the better-known Scandinavian mythological creatures, thanks in part to the growing popularity of books like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. ![]() There’s an adorable Christmas book called “ The Christmas Nisse” by Patrick Nielsen, which shares more of the story. Scandinavian legend has it that the Nisse looks over your household, but it can be a prankster too.Īround Christmas, the Nisser will bring children and their family’s gifts, if they know how to befriend them. According to Scandinavian folklore, every home has its own Nisse who lives in a barn or the countryside near your house.īefore we continue, check out these great resources on Amazon… The Nisser or (Nisse), are still valuable parts of Scandinavian culture, and even have some connections to Christmas. ![]() You can learn more about the Huldra in John Bauer’s book on Swedish folk and Fairy tales. God said that the hidden children should remain hidden, and they became the “Underjordiske” - lost souls living under the earth.Īlthough Huldra was one of those hidden children, she managed to stay above the ground, and often appears as a young and flirtatious girl. When Eve and Adam had many children, she was giving them all a bath when God came to visit.Įve hid the children that were still dirty and lied to God about there whereabouts. The tale of the Huldra has a connection to the story of Adam and Eve. The Huldra, or Tallemaja in Swedish, is a troll-like female known for living in the woods.Īlthough the Huldra often has a beautiful appearance, she’s also wild and has the tail of a cow which she will often hide behind her back when meeting with a human. Today, we’re going to introduce you to some of the top creatures from Scandinavian legend that you should know about. Today, however, many of the more unnerving parts of the stories have changed to become more family-friendly.Īlthough, you can still track down some traditional books that tell older tales, like the Vaesen guide to the Monsters of Scandi folklore. In the early days, some Scandinavian monsters were even intended to scare children into behaving. ![]() While some of the Scandinavian creatures that appear in these stories are good, others are much creepier - representing the forces of evil. Go browse any of these sections of our books! FYI, we've also set aside a select sampling of print books on a small book cart, near the big tables where we had our introductory library session.The Scandinavian people have a rich set of traditions and stories, dating all the way back to the age of the Vikings.ĭepending on where you visit, from Norway to Denmark, you’ll discover a host of incredible tales about fairies, goblins, and other mythical creatures.Īmong children and adults alike, Scandinavian folklore stories are a beloved part of the culture, and something that many families hold dear.
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