Inktober 2019: Scandinavian folklore edition

Näcken

He is a water sprite living in rivers and lakes. Most of the time he’s trying to drown people by putting them under his spell with his beautiful music. He especially favours the violin. If you think you hear a melody in the rushing water you better flee.

Gloson

Gloson is a supernatural pig monster from south Sweden. She enjoys running between people’s legs and splitting them in half with her razor-like bristles. You may find her hanging around graveyards and/or cairns.

Troll

Scandinavian trolls come in many different varieties, from giant mountain trolls to tiny little goblin-like versions living under rocks.

This is what I guess you’d call the “normal” kind: a troll that looks pretty much like a regular human, only hairier and with a tail. They are actually a lot like humans in many ways. Trolls have families and societies just like us. Despite living in caves and wearing mostly rags they usually have great hoards of gold and treasure. “Rich as a troll” is a common expression.

Bjära

A bjära is a witch’s “helper”. They steal milk and other resources and bring them back to their witch master.

In most of Sweden the bjära is a hare or a bird but in the north, where I come from, it’s usually a ball of yarn. To me that’s equal parts adorable and hilarious. Imagine being robbed by a ball of yarn! 😂

Vätte

Small grey folk who usually live close to human settlements and like to steal things. They can cast spells and make themselves invisible. Not completely unlike gnomes and goblins.

Irrbloss

Little lights that can lead you to safety if you get lost – or lead you to your doom. It’s 50/50 really, so be careful if you decide to follow them…

Lindorm

These magical creatures come in many varieties. Some legends say they are good and helpful and that meeting one is a good omen. Some say they are evil and dangerous monsters. Basically, just like all other dragons.

They have no wings and only two legs.

Skogsrå

Rå is an old word meaning “keeper” or “warden”. They are like spirit creatures that rule lakes, rivers, mountains, forests etc. Just like nature itself, they are neither good nor evil – but very powerful and follow only their own laws.

This is the forest rå, so obviously she rules the woods. She shows herself as a beautiful woman, but her back is like a hollow tree. She seduces men and put them under her spell or make people get lost in the woods. But she can also bring forward animals for hunters to shoot or help people who got lost on their own find their way home.

This queen of the forest is one of my personal favourite beings. 😊

Bergsrå/gruvrå

The mountain rå lives inside the mountain and is usually depicted as a woman in white.

The mine rå is like a mountain rå dedicated especially to a mine. She is often called Gruvfrun, the Lady of the Mine. The miners would sacrifice food and items to the Lady hoping she would protect them. She could warn them if some accident was about to happen or lead them outside if they lose their way. But if the miners were disrespectful or angered her she might instead bring down the mountain on their heads, killing them or trapping them in the dark. Or she could confuse their minds so they get lost and never find their way out.

Myling

A myling is the ghost of a small child who was killed by its mother and hidden. Must’ve happened a lot if a word was invented for it… 😬 If you happen to pass by where their bodies were buried you can hear them cry and sometimes call for help.

Storsjöodjuret

Did you know Sweden has its very own Loch Ness monster? It lives in the big lake Storsjön and has been spotted for hundreds of years. It’s described to be snake-like and over 10 metres long.