Myths of the Northern Lights

Drifting across the night sky with vibrant greens and purples, the Northern Lights are quite the spectacle to observe. It’s therefore not surprising that over the years many different myths have emerged to describe this magnificent phenomenon.

We now know that the Northern Lights are caused by electrons from solar winds. When they mix with the gases in the atmosphere, it causes the gases to glow!

1. The personification of dawn

Galileo first coined the term Aurora Borealis over 400 years ago. Aurora means sunrise in ancient Greek and Boreas translates to wind. In Roman mythology Aurora renews herself at dawn and races across the sky to announce the arrival of the sun to her siblings.

2. The beautiful game

Many of the Inuit tribes believe that the lights are the spirits of dead humans playing a ball game with a walrus skull. Or is it walrus spirits playing with a human skull?!

3. The battle between good and evil

In China it was very rare to see the lights and when spotted it was believed to be a fight between the dragons of good and evil. The lights were the fire from the dragons breathed across the sky.

4. Finnish Fire Foxes

In Finland they believed that fire foxes caused the lights. They would run so quickly through the sky that when their large tails touched the mountain, the sparks would fill the sky with the beautiful lights.

5. Female power

Norse mythology believes that the lights were the reflection from the shields and armour of the Valkyrie. These were female warriors who got to choose who would live and who would die on the battlefield.

6. “I do”

A beautiful tale in Estonia sees the lights as huge horse drawn carriages flying their guests to a heavenly wedding.

7. A bad omen

It’s very rare that the Northern Lights are seen in Southern Europe. When they do appear they are normally red which was often seen as an omen. Shortly before the French Revolution, very bright red lights were spotted across Scotland and England.

8. Ssssh…!

If you do get the chance to see this spectacular sight, make sure you don’t wave, sing or whistle. If the spirits of the lights hear this, they may come down and take you away! The Northern American Indians used to whistle at the lights so that they could pass messages to the dead.

What’s your favourite myth? Can you make up your own story about the Northern Lights?