Osmotar
The Creator of Beer
Character in the Kalevala
Karelian / Finnish Mythology
Osmotar is a young but wise maiden who appears in the Kalevala to create the first beer for Ilmarinen’s wedding. Louhi tasks Osmotar to brew beer for the feast after her daughter weds Ilmarinen. As the first beer creator, others revere her for possessing magical abilities and vast knowledge of nature.
While Osmotar’s first attempt to create beer ultimately fails to ferment, she employs the help of some woodland creatures to gather the right ingredients to brew the first beer. To brew the first beer, Osmotar requested the assistance of forest animals to gather the necessary ingredients.
- Squirrel (Orava) – Fetched fir cones to add bitterness to the beer
- Marten (Näätä) – Gathered foam from a bear’s mouth to help with the fermentation process
- Bee (Mehiläinen) – Collected honey to provide sweetness and fermentation
Honey was also seen as a magical ingredient throughout the Kalevala, perhaps furthering the idea that beer was a magical beverage.
Characteristics of Osmotar
Osmotar is generally described as a helper, knowledgeable, magical, and the first brewer of beer. She is often associated with hospitality, celebrations, merrymaking, and unifying people.
Master Brewer – Beer is an essential aspect of Finnish tradition. Therefore, creating the first beer marked a turning point in social bonding and community celebrations. Furthermore, beer was perceived as a magical and sacred beverage that unified people and brought joy to their communities.
Bonding the Heroes – Her primary role in the Kalevala is to brew beer for the great feast Louhi is hosting. This role helps bring the heroes together and bond with the inhabitants of Pohjola, who were once adversaries.
Wise Maid – Her ability to ferment beer was viewed as magical. This feat was possible only through her vast knowledge of nature.
Relics
Throughout greater Finnish mythology, she is known to possess the following sacred brewing tools. However, there are no specific relics associated with Osmotar in the Kalevala.
The Sacred Brewing Vessel (Kalja-astia)
Beer is a significant part of Finnish tradition and throughout Finnish mythology. A kalja-astia is the container in which beer brewing traditionally occurs. Furthermore, beer symbolizes hospitality and is present in almost every feast or celebration.
Interactions
Osmotar has a brief role in the Kalevala, where she interacts primarily with Louhi, the Mistress of Pohjola. However, she has a more significant role in Finnish mythology for creating the first beer. She may have interacted with the other heroes briefly at Louhi’s grand feast, but her attendance is not specifically mentioned in this canto.
Pekko, The God of Brewing
While not explicitly mentioned in the Kalevala, Pekko and Osmotar are inextricably intertwined throughout greater Finnish mythology. Pekko blesses the barley and hops while Osmotar ferments the first beer.
Osmotar’s Appearance
Osmotar appearance is that of a beautiful young maiden who is wise beyond her age. She has blond hair, a traditional Finnish dress, and sometimes a wreath of barley in her hair.
Realms
Kaleveal does not mention Osmatar’s home in geographic detail. However, she appears in the following realms:
- Väinölä – The Land of Heroes
- Tapiola – The Forest Realm