Väinämöinen
Vakka Vanha Väinämöinen – Steadfast Old Väinämöinen
Hero of the Kalevala
Karelian / Finnish Mythology
Väinämöinen is a central figure in Finnish mythology and the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic. He is often portrayed as an ancient, wise sage and a powerful magician, possessing deep knowledge of the world and its mysteries. His character embodies wisdom, age, and a deep connection to nature and the spirit world.
Väinämöinen is best known for using magic through his songs. He is depicted as a wise old man with a long beard and white hair who often plays his kantele, a traditional Finnish harp. As one of the shapers of the world, he possesses deep knowledge of all things.
He is also considered a symbol of Finnish identity. His connection to nature, collection of knowledge, heroism, and patience symbolize the Finnish spirit.
Väinämöinen’s Characteristics
Shaper of the World – While not considered a god, Väinämöinen is a primeval being credited with shaping much of the known world, including creating the elements and shaping rivers, forests, and landscapes.
Wise Elder – Väinämöinen is the keeper of knowledge with a vast understanding of magic, nature, and life cycles. As a being who existed before the creation of the world, he possesses ancient wisdom. Often, Väinämöinen is portrayed as a wise sage through his sagas.
Song and Magic Master – Notably, the Kalevala started as a collection of poems and songs. Väinämöinen is a master of song and magic. His magic is tied to his words, which come from “runot”, or poems and songs in Finnish. He is also famous for playing the kantele, a traditional Finnish harp.
His songs symbolize the connection between art, music, magic, and the universe. Väinämöinen is said to have created the first kantele with fish bones.
Eternal Wanderer – Väinämöinen is most notable for being a solitary wanderer who goes on long adventures across the lands. This wandering symbolizes the constant changing of the world and the ability to adapt through wisdom, magic, and leadership.
Protector of the People of Kalevala – Väinämöinen uses his knowledge to support and protect the people in the land of Kalevala. He also uses his patience and wisdom to advise the other heroes, such as Lemminkäinen and Ilmarinen, on ways to overcome their obstacles.
Relics
Väinämöinen is known for his powerful magic, wisdom, and cunning. In addition to these traits, he possesses magical relics that aid him on his adventures throughout the lands of Kalevala, Pohjola, and Tuonela.
Väinämöinen’s Kantele
The kantele is the most notable relic Väinämöinen possesses. Created from the bones of a fish, it helps him produce beautiful music that allows his magic to be transmuted through songs. However, the original kantele was lost in the waves, forcing the old man to create a new one out of wood.
When the kantele was first crafted, no one could play it successfully. It wasn’t until Väinämöinen first tried his hand that the instrument created music so beautiful it actually summoned Ahto and his wife from the depths of the sea. Other sea creatures emerged to listen to the wondrous music. Väinämöinen was so touched that his tears rolled into the ocean, forming pearls as they sank to the bottom of the sea.
The Sampo
Väinämöinen promised the Louhi, a power sorceress from the North the Sampo, in exchange for one of her daughter’s hands in marriage. While the Sampo was a creation by the great smith Ilmarinen, the quest for the Sampo became one of the key sagas in the Kalevala.
Later, the heroes Väinämöinen, Ilmarinen, and Lemminkäinen concocted a plot to steal the Sampo back from Louhi. This saga is a pivitol point in the Kalevala, later invoking Louhi’s wrath who plunges with world into darkness.
Väinämöinen’s Family
Before the creation of the world, Väinämöinen’s mother comes into mention frequently. While he never marries a bride, the quest to seek a partner is one that drives this hero through his travels and trials. Unfortunately, Väinämöinen never achieves this goal and doesn’t foster children of his own. The final Canto in the Kalevala portrays Väinämöinen sailing off into the sunset as Christianity takes hold in Finland.
- Mother: Ilmatar, the goddess of Air
- Father: Unknown
- Siblings: None
- Spouse: None
- Children: None
Interactions
Väinämöinen had intricate relationships with many of the central figures throughout the Kalevala.
Joukahainen
Joukahainen is one of the first antagonists Väinämöinen faces. He sought to best Väinämöinen in a battle of wisdom but almost lost his life after being sunk into the mud with the bard’s magic. As a result, Joukahainen offers his sister Aino’s hand in marriage to save his life.
Aino
Aino is a tragic character; after finding out she would be to wed Väinämöinen, she decided to take her own life by drowning in a lake. Her name means “the one and only” in Finnish.
Louhi
Louhi, Mistress of Pohjola, is a powerful sorceress from the northlands. Väinämöinen encounters her after seeking to court one of her daughters, leading to him promising to build her the Sampo.
Ilmarinen
Ilmarinen is a great smith who created the dome of sky out of nothing. Väinämöinen tricks Ilmarinen into traveling into Pohjola to craft the Sampo for Louhi.
Lemminkäinen
Lemminkäinen is a young and brash warrior. His personality is quite the opposite of Väinämöinen’s, who often guides the young man. Lemminkäinen is part of the trio that travels into Pohjola to steal the Sampo after Louhi goes back on her promise to reward Väinämöinen with a bride.
Väinämöinen’s Appearance
Väinämöinen is a virile old man with long, flowing white hair and a beard. He wears traditional Finnish clothing made of wool and leather and a flowing robe. Boat and horseback are his preferred methods of travel.
The kantele is his symbol of power, as it aids him in casting his powerful spells. Initially, the first kantele was made from fish bones, specifically the jaw of a giant pike and hair, but this was destroyed in the quest to steal the Sampo. As a result, he crafted a new kantele from a birch tree.
He also carries a sword; although it does not possess magical properties, it symbolizes justice.
Realms
Väinämöinen is an adventurer, wanderer, and free spirit. As such, he ventures through many of the lands of Kalevala during his travels. His quest for the Sampo is perhaps his most notable adventure; however, his quest for love also drives his traveling spirit.
Väinämöinen existed before the world and helped shape it. However, during his wandering, he visited:
- Kalevala
- Pohjola (Northland)
- Tuonela (Underworld)
- Ahtola (The Sea and Islands)
- The Realm of the Gods (Sky/Upper World)
- The Cosmic Realm
Väinämöinen’s Birth and Shaping of the World
Ilmatar is the Goddess of Air, who descended from the heavens to float in the sea. At the time, the world had no form, so Ilmatar floated in the endless ocean. During this time, she becomes impregnated by the wind and the sea. She carries her baby for 700 years before giving birth to Väinämöinen.
Before Väinämöinen’s birth, a seabird lays six golden eggs and one iron egg on Ilmatar’s knee. The heat from the eggs eventually leads them to crack and fall into the ocean. From the upper shell, the dome of the sky is formed, the lower shell forms the earth, the yolk and egg white form the sun and moon, while the speckles of shells form the stars in the sky.
Ilmatar forms the mountains, valleys, and ridges by pushing the land together with her hands, knees, and hips. Her footsteps carve the rivers, bays, and channels. This forms a suitable place for her son to inhabit.
Väinämöinen is the first human, and is a primordial being. He continues his mother’s work by planting forests, fields, and shaping the lands. He plants a mighty oak tree, which eventually must be felled as it grows too large. Birch trees also grow amongst the forest, becoming a significant plant for the Finns.
The hero goes on to plant wheat, grains, and shrubs. However, his work is not complete until he comes across six grains of golden barley, the most significant crop in Finnish culture. He prays to Ukko to help the lands flourish. Once barley takes hold, his creation of the world is complete for humans to inhabit.
