Ilmarinen
Ikiseppä Ilmarinen – The Eternal Blacksmith
Hero of the Kalevala
Karelian / Finnish Mythology
The Eternal Blacksmith Ilmarinen is a pivotal hero in Kalevala. He symbolizes creation, creativity, resilience, and sometimes consequence. He was also known as “The Smith of the Sky” and is credited with forging the dome of the sky in some versions of Kalevala.
Perhaps his most notable feat is creating the Sampo for Louhi, the Mistress of Pohjola. While he is not technically a god, his forging of the heavens gives him divine merit.
Ilmarinen exhibits a complex array of emotions and struggles, which symbolize the struggles and emotions of humanity. Ultimately, Ilmarinen’s stories focus on the power of creation, problem-solving, and the complexity of human emotions.
Nicknames
Ilmarinen’s main nickname is “The Eternal Smith”; however, he goes by other titles depending on the rune variation and the reference. His nicknames include the following:
- Taivaan Seppä – Smith of the Sky
- Ikiseppä Ilmarinen – The Eternal Blacksmith Ilmarinen
- Sampo-Seppä – Smith of the Sampo
- Taitava Seppä – Skilled Smith
- Rautojen Taitaja – Master of Iron
Ilmarinen’s Characteristics
Artisan Craftsman – Ilmarinen is known for his ingenuity and master craftsmanship. His creations are known for their exceptional beauty and magical qualities.
Initially, he was famous for forging the Dome of the Sky. Later, Väinämöinen asks him to create the Sampo for Louhi, Mistress of Pohjola.
Persistence – Ilmarinen is known for his persistence and determination in crafting. He is confident in his abilities to create resourceful tools and magical items alike.
Resourcefulness – As a master blacksmith, he uses his ingenuity to solve problems and create solutions. His tools can solve problems both mortal and divine beings face. Some examples are his forging of the Dome of the Sky and the Sampo.
Creation’s Duality – Despite being a master of his craft, Ilmarinen fails to achieve his goal of having a lifelong wife. His struggles portray the duality of being a master craftsman while still living a flawed life.
Tragic Hero – Ilmarinen’s character represents humanity’s tragedy and flaws. Rewarded with a bride from Louhi for his creation of the Sampo, Ilmarinen’s marriage ends in misfortune. Kullervo ultimately kills his wife. This eventually leads to his creation of the Golden Wife. Ultimately, the cold and lifeless Golden Wife symbolizes the limits of human creation.
Relics
As the Eternal Blacksmith, he is renowned for his legendary forging skills. He is responsible for creating some of the Kalevala’s most powerful relics and magical items.
The Sampo
Ilmarinen creates the legendary Sampo for Louhi in exchange for her providing one of her daughters as his bride. The Sampo is a legendary magical object resembling a mill that churns out unlimited gold, salt, and grain.
The Golden Wife
After the death of his wife, Ilmarinen decides to craft the Golden Wife. She is a lifelike replica of the Maiden of Pohjola crafted from gold and silver. However, the Golden Wife is lifeless and cold, symbolizing the limitations of human creations.
Ilmarinen’s Forge
Ilmarinen’s forge symbolizes the place where the Earth was shaped. From his forge, Ilmarinen creates divine objects containing power and beauty.
Ilmarinen is most known for his ability to craft anything, both mundane and divine. He crafts weapons, tools, and magical and divine items, and his works are sought after by many throughout Kalevala.
The Dome of the Sky
After the Earth was shaped, Ilmarinen forged the Dome of the Sky out of metal. The Dome of the Sky protects the Earth and unites the heavens.
Ilmarinen’s creation of the sky led to his renown as the cosmic artisan. He is credited with crafting the sky’s dome out of nothing, symbolizing a shield of the Earth.
Ilmarinen’s Family
Little is mentioned about Ilmarinen’s family; however, his story focuses on his quest to marry the ideal bride.
- Parents: Unknown
- Siblings: The Maiden (his sister), unnamed brother
- Spouse: Maiden of Pohjola, Maiden of the Sun
- Children: None
Interactions
Väinämöinen
Ilmarinen encounters Väinämöinen when he is asked to forge the Sampo for Louhi, the Mistress of Pohjola. Initially, Väinämöinen tricks him into traveling to the northlands; however, Louhi promises him a daughter to be his bride in return.
Later, Väinämöinen and Ilmarinen compete to wed the Maiden of Pohjola, in which Ilmarinen triumphs. Eventually, Ilmarinen, Väinämöinen, and Lemminkäinen venture into Pohjola to steal the Sampo from Louhi.
Louhi, the Mistress of Pohjola
Ilmarinen crafts the legendary Sampo for Louhi. Later, he weds Louhi’s daughter in a celebration that details the creation and importance of beer. The final interaction with Ilmarinen and Louhi occurs when the three heroes plot to steal the Sampo from the Northlands.
Maiden of Pohjohla (Louhi’s Daughter)
After crafting the Sampo, Louhi makes good on her promise and gives Ilmarinen her daughter as his bride. The marriage is short-lived, however, symbolizing the tragic nature of human emotions and Ilmarinen.
The Golden Wife
After losing his wife, Ilmarinen sets out to create a replacement for the Maiden of Pohjola. The Golden Wife, a beautiful creation made of gold and silver, turns out to be lifeless and cold. She ultimately symbolizes the duality of human creations.
Lemminkäinen
Lemminkäinen joins Ilmarinen on the quest to steal the Sampo. The three heroes travel to the Northlands to retrieve the Sampo from the realm of Pohjola.
Maiden of the Sun
After the failed wedding with the Maiden of Pohjola, Ilmarinen has a brief courtship with the Maiden of the Sun. During this courtship, he must overcome tasks to win her favor.
Realms
Ilmarinen is an inhabitant of Kalevala. However, his adventures lead him to several other realms.