Myths 2

The stories of the Northern Lights are very different from one place to another. In Finland, one of the best-known legends is connected to the Arctic fox. In Finnish, the Northern Lights are called “revontulet”, meaning “fox fires”. According to the legend, an Arctic fox runs across the snowy landscape, sweeping its tail through the snow and sending sparks into the sky, where they become the Northern Lights. For some Swedish fishermen, the Aurora was considered a good omen. One old story says the lights were reflections from enormous schools of herring swimming in the sea – a promising sign for the next catch. In Iceland, there were other beliefs. One tradition said that the Northern Lights could ease the pain of childbirth. But there was also a warning: an expectant mother should not look directly at the Aurora, or her child might be born cross-eyed. Across other parts of the Arctic, including some Inuit communities, the Northern Lights have also been connected with the spirits of people who had died. In some stories, the lights were seen as spirits moving or dancing across the sky – a connection between the living and those who had passed away. Whether these stories were told with wonder, respect or even a little fear, they show how strongly the Northern Lights have captured people's imagination. Today, we understand much more about the science behind the Aurora. But when the lights suddenly appear and begin moving across a dark Arctic sky, it is easy to understand why they inspired so many stories. So enjoy the journey, stay warm, keep an eye on the sky – and let’s see what the night brings.