The mystique of myth and folklore is woven into the tapestry of Sweden’s landscape. The siren call of the Skogsrå (a female forest spirit) echoes through the trees, trolls gather on rocks and boulders to celebrate Christmas, and lantern-bearing beings are said to haunt otherwise enchanting forests. Swedish mythology is derived from a complex belief system shared with other Scandinavian countries, and its figures are very much alive in the collective imagination. To help demystify the tales that inspired everyone from J. R. R. Tolkien to Marvel’s Stan Lee, we’ve put together this introductory guide to Swedish folklore and mythology.
The Origins
Swedish mythology has its roots in Old Norse mythology, just like the myths of Iceland, Denmark and Norway. As a result, the tales and legends of each country feature similar gods, creatures and characters. Also referred to as Nordic or Scandinavian mythology, Norse mythology is what the people of Early Medieval Scandinavia (Vikings) believed in, and most of what we know comes from two texts: the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda. You’ll also find depictions of Sweden’s folklore in influential books such as John Bauer’s Bland Tomtar Och Troll (Among Gnomes and Trolls), an illustrated anthology of fairy tales that sheds light on the creatures hiding in the shadows.
The Nine Realms
The nine realms of Swedish mythology (said to be contained within the branches and roots of an immense sacred tree called Yggdrasil) are home to a number of different deities and beings. At the top is Asgard, the world of gods such as Odin and Thor, and in the middle is Midgard, where us lowly earthlings live. There are no prizes for guessing where Hel is located, though unlike the Christian hell, it isn’t always depicted as a place of endless suffering. There’s also Álfheim, land of the elves, along with Muspelheim, Niflheim, Jotunheim, Vanaheim and Svartalfheim, with each realm containing its own unique cast of mythical beings.
The Gods and Goddesses
Because Norse religion was polytheistic, there are countless gods and goddesses to get to grips with. You’ve probably heard of Thor – the hammer-wielding God of thunder who bears a striking resemblance to Chris Hemsworth – and you may also be familiar with Odin: sometimes described as Thor’s father, he’s associated with wisdom, healing, knowledge, victory… the list goes on. Thor, Odin and his wife, Frigg, belong to the main clan of gods, Æsir, along with others like Loki, Hod, Heimdall and Tyr. The second clan, Vanir, is mostly made up of wealth and fertility gods, the most notable being Njord and his twin children Freyja and Freyr. Legend has it that a great war waged between the two clans, but when neither side could overpower the other, peace was eventually made.
The Creatures
So you’ve heard of elves, dwarves and trolls, and you now know about Norse mythology’s most important gods – but believe it or not, that’s just the beginning. According to Swedish folklore, many other creatures, spirits and beings are said to hide in the forests, lurk in the shadows and lie in wait in the water. The Näcken are beautiful, violin-playing men who trick women into jumping into the water before drowning them, while Skogsrå (or huldra) is a benign yet seductive forest spirit with a cow’s tail. Tomten are invisible gnomes that take care of farms and children, and the hideous and fearsome Draugen appears during storms at sea, drowning sailors and tormenting those who have wronged him. Intrinsically connected to nature, the creatures of Sweden’s myths can be kind, wicked or a little bit of both.
The Real Thing
If this introduction to Swedish mythology has you yearning to hunt for Huldra, search for spirits or stand where the great Vikings once stood, we know just where to look. Sweden’s natural and historical sites are steeped in legend, and where better to start than at the Rök Runestone? This 8ft-tall stone inscribed with runes is said to mark the beginning of the history of Swedish literature, and some believe it contains remnants of Norse mythology. Sweden’s national parks are wonderful places to immerse yourself in mythological wonder, particularly Åsnen National Park, a favourite among trolls, and Tyresta National Park, haunted by the lantern-bearing Lyktgubben. You’ll find sacred Viking mounds surrounding the Upplandsmuseet in Uppsala, and the grounds are also said to be where Yggdrasil once stood. Finally, the Museum of Legends in Ljungby is the perfect place to brush up on your mythological knowledge.