15 Incredible Myths and Legends Behind the Northern Lights
Humanity has been fascinated by the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis for centuries. These beautiful, seemingly magical displays of lights in the sky have been a source of mystery from ancient lore to contemporary wonder. For years, cultures and people have made their interpretations and created narratives that express value, belief, and a sense of awe.
Understanding these myths now offers us a unique window into how our ancestors interpreted the world they didn’t understand.
Viking Battle Spirits
In Norse mythology, the Northern Lights were thought to be reflections from the Valkyrie’s armor and shields. These fierce female warriors chosen by the God Odin were believed to ride the night skies guiding the fallen spirits of other warriors to the halls of Valhalla. The Norse people believed the lights to be a torch in the skies guiding brave souls returning to heaven after death and lighting up the cosmos in death as they had during life.
The Souls of Unborn Children
The Northern Lights in Greenland have a gentler tale. According to Inuit tradition, the lights are the souls of still-unborn children dancing in the sky. A tribute to the beauty and potential of life, joy, and childish innocence. This story was often told by parents to their children in hope and is still today one of Greenland’s fondest legends.
The Fiery Breath of Dragons
In many East Asian cultures, the Northern Lights were perceived as dragons breathing fire in the sky across East Asia. The Northern Lights were often interpreted as a good omen. In China, Japan, and Korea dragons represent wisdom, power, and prosperity. It was said that these dragons brought blessings and led people to good fortune. A myth encourages the belief that the Northern Lights brought them good luck and that a child conceived under them would live a life of blessing and prosperity.
Dancing Souls in Finland
According to Finnish legend, the Northern Lights are called ‘revontulet’ or ‘fox fire’ — a magic arctic fox’s bushy tail that whips over the snow and sends sparks into the night sky. Part of the allure of the Finnish north wilderness, this spirit fox has held a mystical luster for Finns and has been revered as an enigmatic creature for centuries. Travelers to Finland go out into the wilderness to see the ‘fox fire’ and to feel a connection with this old tale.
The Bridge to the Afterlife
For the Sami people of northern Scandinavia, the Northern Lights were considered a bridge between the living and the dead. The lights were interpreted as an invitation on behalf of the elders – watching and waiting to lead home. Whenever the lights appeared, it was common for the Sami people to do a small ceremony honoring their ancestors and those who came before them.
Divine Reconciliation
The Cree, along with the rest of the indigenous people of northern Canada, believed the Northern Lights were the departed spirits dancing across the heavens in their joy. This symbolized a divine reunion between the spirit community and the community of humanity; an assurance that their ancestors were never far. The grieving saw the lights and it gave them peace knowing their loved ones were okay.
The Gods’ Bowling Tournament
In Sweden, it is believed that the lights are sparks from the gods bowling in the heavens and is a fun-loving legend. The Aurora would be used as a scoreboard for gods competing in mighty games, and Swedes would tell stories about them. People would laugh whenever the lights shifted and moved, imagining another strike or spare, and this was one of the lighter interpretations of the Northern Lights.
The Inuit Spirit Whispers
In Alaska, some Inuit groups believe the lights are the spirits’ voices from the other side. During the displays, the children were told to be respectful by elders, who warned them not to make loud noises or whistles, because they believed that offended the spirits. By treating the lights with respect the Inuit showed respect to the world of the spirits and the mysteries that awaited beyond life.
The Finnish Sami Fire Dance
According to the Sami people a “fire dance” occurred when ancient spirits died and celebrated in the sky. They thought that once they died, they would dance across the sky in their own luminous parade followed by all those who had lived good lives. It was a sign to be good, kind, and strong and to honor those that came before.
A Skyborne War Dance
Medieval Scotland considered the Aurora to be a harbinger of war or conflict. For the Scots, the red and green lights were armies clashing in the sky and for them, this portended battles to come. Warriors would take the swirls of light as a sign to prepare and build strength for the battles they thought were nearing.
A Path to the Spirit World
Alaska’s Tlingit people thought the Northern Lights were pathways to the spirit world. They believed that the lights formed a bridge by which souls of the dead ascend to the afterlife. When the Aurora appeared, families would have quiet vigils and reflection as they showed respect for the mysterious boundaries between life and death.
The Polar Bears Celebration
Some Algonquin tribes of indigenous people in Canada told stories of the Northern Lights as polar bears celebrating a hunt. It was believed that the lights were the souls of the animals, dancing and honoring the sacred balance of nature. This vision was respected by hunters who thought the bears’ souls were watching over the land and this birthed a great respect for polar bears which were thought to protect the land.
An Omen of Good Fishing
In Iceland, fishermen had a practical myth about the lights. They believed that the Northern Lights were a sign of good fishing in the days to come. When the lights were brighter than ever, fishermen looked forward to large catches. The abundance of life below was said to be represented by the colors in the sky, which gave fishermen hope and motivation for successful trips.
The Fire of Life
The Chukchi people of Siberia thought the Northern Lights were the ‘fire of life’. To them, it was a source of energy from a bright star that drove out the darkness and brought warmth and light to their people in times of need. During the long dark winter months when the Northern Lights appeared, the people believed the lights to be a symbol of survival and encouragement for them to stay strong and survive.
Whispers of the Universe
In old Estonia, people believed that the Northern Lights were the whispers of the universe, a mystical sign of knowledge and wisdom. Estonians would sit in quiet awe, soaking in the beauty of the reminder around them of life’s mysteries and how much they didn’t understand. These whispers encouraged thinking and respect for what lies outside of us and caused Estonians to eagerly go out and see what was out there, with humility and curiosity.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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