Viking’s Valkyrie Lights (Norse Mythology) In Norse mythology, the Northern Lights were believed to be the shimmering armor of the Valkyries, warrior maidens who escorted fallen heroes to Valhalla.
Finnish "Revontulet" (Fire Fox) According to Finnish legend, the lights were caused by a magical fox running across the snowy landscapes, its tail brushing against the sky and sparking the auroras.
The Aurora as Souls of the Dead (Inuit Belief) Some Inuit tribes believed the Northern Lights were the spirits of their ancestors, playing a celestial game of ball in the sky using the skulls of walruses.
The Lights as a Bridge to the Afterlife (Sami People) The Sami, an indigenous group in Scandinavia, thought the aurora borealis was the glowing spirits of the dead traveling to the afterlife, calling out to their living relatives.
Loki’s Mischief (Norse Legend) Another Norse legend associated the lights with the trickster god Loki, whose mischievous acts caused the auroras to appear in the sky.
Shamanic Portal (Russian Folklore) In parts of Siberia, it was believed that the Northern Lights were a gateway to the spirit world, where shamans would communicate with ancestors.
Aurora as a Love Signal (Canadian First Nations) Some First Nations believed the Northern Lights were the spirits of young women calling out to their lovers. The colors were thought to be signals of love and desire.
LIKE SHARE SAVE