Saami Mythology, Lapland's Gods, Goddesses Magical Creatures

When the sun was many times described as feminine, the moon in the Saami myths was described to be masculine. Since there was very little daylight, winter was considered to be a suspicious time with lots of evil spirits wandering among the living, Mánnu being one of them.

Many Saami deities were viewed as invisible forces of nature rather than being personified as humans. There are several names for various deities because there are numerous Saami dialects. The thunder god was known by many names, including Horagállis, Hovregállis, ijjh, Dearpmes, Tiermes, Bájan, and ddjá.

The hammer, a traditional sign for a thunder deity in Europe, served as Horagállis' emblem. Other well-known thunder gods in the northern hemisphere include Ukko/Ilmarinen from Finland, Thor from Scandinavian mythology, and Uku from Estonia.

Gnomes and different kinds of earth spirits are very common characters in Saami mythology. The spiritual world view of the Saami´s was foremost shamanistic and pantheistic. People had a strong belief in invisible powers in nature and magical creatures who ruled the elements. One always needed to have respect for these creatures for they were the protector spirits of the land and the northern nature of Lapland.

When the sun was depicted as a woman, she was associated with the season of summer and the fertility of the country. During the gloomy winter months, she had the capacity to uplift others who were down.

Máttaráhkká - The goddess of all life. Sárahkká, Juksáhkká, and Uksákká's mother. Under the kota, house tent, her three girls resided in the earth. Máttaráhkká's daughters are frequently painted to the bottom end of the shaman drums. Máttaráhkká gave the baby a soul while it was still in the womb that she had gotten from the sky deity Radien.

The white reindeer is a mythical creature in Saami folktales. The most magical reindeer was the albino one. It was the leader of all the reindeer. Catching the white reindeer would bring good fortune, wealth, and eternal bliss to the one who caught it. Totemic belief in the reindeer spirit was common, and it was one of the reasons why people treated them with such special care. When a bear was hunted in ancient Finland, the hunter hoped that the bear's spirit would return to the starry sky to its ancestors. The Saami's believed this to be true with the reindeer. The herders prayed that the great reindeer spirit would take care of the sacrificed reindeer.

Mermaids in Saami mythology are often frightening creatures. Often they are women who's heart was broken.

Already in the first Frozen, there were Sámi influences because Kristoff´s character was inspired by Sámi culture. Kristoff´s outfit is similar to traditional Sámi outfits. Different Sámi tribes and regions have their own outfits and designs. The pointy shoes and outfits made of reindeer skin are common (sorry Sven).