Päivätär
| Päivätär | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Päivytär, Auringotar |
| Animals | Bees and wasps |
| Color | Silver |
| Gender | Female |
| Ethnic group | Finns, Karelians |
| Offspring | Panu (fire) |
| Equivalents | |
| Baltic | Saulė[1] |
Päivätär (pronounced [ˈpæi̯ʋætær]; lit. 'Lady Sun') is the goddess of the Sun in Finnish mythology. She owns the silver of the Sun, spins silver yarns, and weaves clothes out of them.[2] In Kalevala, young maidens ask Päivätär to give them some of her silver jewellery and clothes.[3] She is described as a great beauty.[4]
Professor Anna-Leena Siikala finds it possible that Päivätär was a goddess who ruled over life and light. During Christian period, she was replaced by Virgin Mary.[5] According to her, Kuutar and Päivätär belong to a tradition that was influenced by Baltic mythology.[6]
In Finnish folk poetry, Päivätär is known as a mother of wasps.[2] Another name which appears in folk poetry is Auringotar, which has the same meaning as Päivätär. Auringotar is mentioned as the creator of fire.[7]
In the Kalevala
[edit]According to the Kalevala, the daughter of the air Ilmatar allowed a teal to lay its egg on her knee as she floated in the abyss. The egg fell and its parts formed the universe: the white of the egg became the Moon, and the yolk the Sun.
See also
[edit]- List of solar deities
- Beaivi (Sáami sun deity)
References
[edit]- ^ Siikala, Anna-Leena (2012). Itämerensuomalaisten mytologia. Finnish Literature Society. p. 268. ISBN 978-952-222-393-7.
- ^ a b Pulkkinen, Risto; Lindfors, Stina (2016). Suomalaisen kansanuskon sanakirja. Gaudeamus. ISBN 978-952-495-405-1.
- ^ Kalevala, Rune IV.
- ^ Kalevala, Rune IV, XXV, XLI.
the Sun's sweet maidens
- ^ Kauhanen, Erkki (2003). "Samaanien Suomessa hyöri jumalia luonnon täydeltä". Tiede. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
- ^ Siikala, Anna-Leena (2012). Itämerensuomalaisten mytologia. Finnish Literature Society. p. 458. ISBN 978-952-222-393-7.
- ^ Haataja, Heikki (1916). "Tulen jälki". Suomen kansan vanhat runot. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
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