Louhi
The Mistress of the Pohjola
Antagonist of the Kalevala
Karelian / Finnish Mythology
Louhi is the ruler of the Pohjola, which corresponds to Lapland in modern geography. She is a powerful sorceress who fiercely defends her lands and people. Her role in Kalevala is of the antagonist who sends the heroes on a series of trials.
The Sampo plays an integral part in Louhi’s story. This magical mill creates gold, grain, and salt, which she guards in Pohjola. The Northlands is a place of mystery, magic, enchantment, and peril.
Louhi’s daughters are renowned for their beauty, which attracts the attention of the heroes of Kalevala, who seek to find a bride in the Northlands.
Louhi’s Characteristics
Ruler of Pohjola – Louhi rules over the mystical lands in the north of Finland. The people of Kalevala fear her magical abilities, but this doesn’t stop the heroes from traveling to seek her permission to wed her daughters.
Powerful Sorceress – Pohjola is a harsh landscape, which contributes to Louhi’s strong magic. She harnesses her magic to overcome the dangers of her lands, keeping external forces at bay and controlling the forces of nature.
Cunning Strategist – In addition to her magic, Louhi employs cunning intellect to outsmart her opponents. As the heroes ask for her favor, she sends them on impossible quests to steer them into danger.
Protector of the Saami – The Mistress of Pohjola has a fierce devotion to her lands and people. The heroes often see her as a cruel crone. However, many of her actions work to keep her people safe from outsiders.
Vengeful and Manipulative – As Louhi protects her lands and people, her wrath on those who cross her is notorious. At one point, she even steals the sun and the moon to demonstrate her powers. She is also responsible for releasing plagues and diseases to exert her vengeance.
Relics
Louhi relies on her powerful magic and doesn’t possess any relics to aid her with this. However, she acquires relics from Kalevala and Taivas.
The Sampo
Louhi promises one of her beautiful daughter’s hand in marriage in exchange for the Sampo. This legendary artifact is a mill that creates an abundance of gold, grain, and salt. After honoring her deal, the heroes become dissatisfied with her refusal to share the Sampo and plot to steal it from Pohjola.
The Sun and the Moon
After losing the Sampo in the raid by the heroes of Kalevala, Louhi becomes enraged. In retaliation, she steals the Sun and the Moon to plunge the world into darkness. In addition, she releases diseases and the plague upon the world during her retaliation.
Louhi’s Family
Louhi is known to be a widow, although her husband and the manner of his demise are not mentioned in the Kalevala. It is unknown if she has siblings; however, her daughters are one of the primary focuses of the Kalevala. Upon hearing about their renown beauty, the heroes travel from the land of Kalevala to Pohjola to court her daughters.
- Parents: Unknown
- Siblings: Unknown
- Spouse: Deceased (unmentioned)
- Children: Maiden of Pohjola, additional daughters
Interactions
Louhi is the primary antagonist in Kalevala’s stories. Throughout the epic, she sends the heroes through trials to misdirect them into danger.
Väinämöinen
Väinämöinen is the first hero to encounter Louhi. He ventures into Pohjola initially to seek a wife after hearing legends of the beautiful maidens of the north. He then convinces Ilmarinen to craft the Sampo for Louhi.
Ilmarinen
Ilmarinen is convinced to craft the magical Sampo, but he agrees to do so for the people of Kalevala. Väinämöinen tricks him into climbing a tall tree and summons a gust of wind to carry him into Pohjola.
Ilmarinen eventually weds the Maiden of Pohjola, Louhi’s daughter, in exchange for his craftsmanship.
Lemminkäinen
Lemminkäinen travels to Pohjola to be a suitor for one of Louhi’s daughters. After his marriage with Kyllikki falls apart, wanton Lemminkäinen travels to Pohjola.
Väinämöinen later plays on Lemminkäinen’s desire for glory and recklessness to convince him to join them in the quest to steal the Sampo.
Appearance
Louhi is characterized as a hook-chinned hag. Her skin is wrinkled and withered, and she has a menacing gaze. Despite her ugly appearance, her daughters are famous for their legendary beauty. Her physical traits include:
- Silver hair
- Hook-chin
- Weathered skin
- Commanding presence
Realms
As the Mistress of Pohjola, Louhi primarily resides in her domain. However, she ventures to other lands for various reasons.