Nordic Folklore - Blog Posts

Nøkken Among the Lilies

Thought I'd post a pic of my summer acrylic painting.

The Nøkken (also known as Näcken, Nøkk, Nixie, or Nix) is a water spirit from Scandinavian Folklore. He is known to reside in still bodies of water, hiding in the lily pads and fern. Nøkken was said to play the violin, fiddle, or harp so beautifully it lured people to the bodies of water where they drowned.

In May I worked on touching up my acrylic paintings. Here's my first attempt at the Nøkken sitting in a still body of water playing his fiddle.

This is one of my favorite paintings I've done.

These are Huldra or Hulderfolk from Scandinavian folklore. Hulderfolk are seductive forest spirits and their name translates loosely to "hidden" or "secret". They're said to look like normal women with the only difference being the hole in their back that resembles a hollowed tree and the long cow-like tail which they hide under their skirts. If you encounter a Huldra and treat her with respect, she will be very helpful (sharing the best fishing spots or tending to your charcoal kiln), but mistreat her and the punishment will be severe (being beaten to death with her tail or taken into the mountains never to be seen again).

Just thought I'd share the first Scandinavian creature I ever painted.

Nisse are little gnomish creatures that live in your house. They can be very mischievous if not treated with the respect they deserve (i.e. leaving a hot bowl of porridge out for them) or if you're generally neglectful to your house and livestock.

Progress photos of my Nøkken painting back in May.

And here's the finished product. (Although I might always add touch ups because my work is never finished).

Unspoken Rules of The Nordic Countries

The trees are not malicious. They will not purposely hurt you. But they will not help, and they will not care if something else comes after you. You are not relevant.

Be careful of which small hills you traverse over. Not all of them are hills. Don’t wake what sleeps under the dirt and rock.

Always be respectful towards what lives in the forest. It will increase the chance of them leaving you alone.

If you leave an offering of food to them, the trolls will keep an eye out for you. Nothing else will.

Make sure you’re clear about who the offering is to, or something else might take it.

Always check the back of the people you meet in the forest. If it looks hollow, or if something’s moving at their waist, quickly but politely part ways with them. Do not follow them anywhere.

If they help you when they find you, thank them thoroughly. If they offer to lead you out, decline politely and ask them to point you in the right direction instead. You wouldn’t want to waste their precious time. Do. Not. Follow. Them. Anywhere.

Be alert of snow in cities. Be wary of snow in the country, and always cover your eyes. It can and will blind you.

If you’re one of the few that go to church on important holidays, don’t look behind you until you’re on church ground. The ones who were here first do not like that newcomer from the desert, and they don’t like you for abandoning them for him.

Be especially wary during Christmas. They do not like the way those desert folk and their three part god twisted their celebration and then called it their own. There’s a reason the Nordic folk still call it Yule.

If you hear violin music from a pond, a lake, a river, turn around immediately. Or else he might ensnare you and convince you to join him at the bottom.

If you hear music in the woods, take another path or return from where you came. They’ll try to ensnare you too, but they might be a bit more merciful and let you go after. But do not tempt fate. Mercy is unlikely, and they will definitely not give it to you twice.

The mountains and hills do not move. If they do, they are not mountains or hills.

If a deciduous tree is still in bloom during winter, do not approach it. Especially not if the earth around it is warm.

The ravens are always watching. They know everything. Never tell a secret in the presence of a raven that you aren’t willing to let them whisper on to something else.

If you find a child standing alone of the side of a road, greet them politely. If they ask for a name, give them one, preferably your own, if possible. They will not do anything bad with it, and will treasure it forever. You will never see them again in the world of the living, but they will remember you fondly.

If you hear the cry of a child by or under the floorboards of a house, ignore them and do some research into your family. If someone you’re related to lived in that house a couple centuries back, pray what’s locked under there never gets loose.

If a dead family member knocks of your door, answer. They have come to tell you important information.

Evil people who die violent deaths rarely pass on. They’re still there. Watching. Planning.

There are few places where no one has died, and much sorrowful history. But do not be afraid. Usually the ghost wish you no ill will. Usually.

Never board the silver metro train unless you wish to be lost forever.

Inspo for the troll drawings goes to Eoghan Kerrigan.