Lemminkainen’s Northland Trials

Kalevala

This flow follows Lemminkainen’s successive attempts to win Louhi’s daughter and the fatal test that ends his campaign.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Second Courtship A Second Courtship from "Kalevala". A Second Courtship A rejected claimant Lemminkainen asks Louhi for her daughter, but she reminds him that he already has Kyllikki.

A Second Courtship from "Kalevala". A Second Courtship A rejected claimant Lemminkainen asks Louhi for her daughter, but she reminds him that he already has Kyllikki.

A Second Courtship A rejected claimant Lemminkainen asks Louhi for her daughter, but she reminds him that he already has Kyllikki. He insists on a second bride. Terms set by Louhi Louhi will not accept his words alone. She makes marriage depend on a series of difficult tasks, shifting the dispute from entitlement to trials of ability.

The Hiisi Moose The Hiisi Moose from "Kalevala". The Hiisi Moose A hunt made difficult Lemminkainen pursues a magical moose through the forests and snowfields.

The Hiisi Moose from "Kalevala". The Hiisi Moose A hunt made difficult Lemminkainen pursues a magical moose through the forests and snowfields.

The Hiisi Moose A hunt made difficult Lemminkainen pursues a magical moose through the forests and snowfields. It escapes his attempts to capture it, and his equipment breaks in the chase. Failure exposes limits His confidence does not guarantee control over the landscape. He must appeal to forest powers and renew his efforts before he can complete the task.

The Flaming Horse The Flaming Horse from "Kalevala". The Flaming Horse Fire meets a hero’s appeal Louhi next demands the fire-horse. Lemminkainen asks Ukko to send snow and iron hail against the animal.

The Flaming Horse from "Kalevala". The Flaming Horse Fire meets a hero’s appeal Louhi next demands the fire-horse. Lemminkainen asks Ukko to send snow and iron hail against the animal.

The Flaming Horse Fire meets a hero’s appeal Louhi next demands the fire-horse. Lemminkainen asks Ukko to send snow and iron hail against the animal. Force used with care He approaches the exhausted horse, speaks gently, and places the halter on it. He wins the trial without simply killing the creature he was tasked to control.

The Swan of Tuoni The Swan of Tuoni from "Kalevala". The Swan of Tuoni A fatal demand Louhi requires Lemminkainen to shoot a swan in the river of Tuoni with one arrow.

The Swan of Tuoni from "Kalevala". The Swan of Tuoni A fatal demand Louhi requires Lemminkainen to shoot a swan in the river of Tuoni with one arrow.

The Swan of Tuoni A fatal demand Louhi requires Lemminkainen to shoot a swan in the river of Tuoni with one arrow. He goes to the death-stream with neither preparation nor the knowledge his mother urged him to gain. An ambush at the river Nasshut sends a serpent into Lemminkainen’s heart. The hero realizes too late that boastful magic is no substitute for understanding the dangers of the underworld.

The Mother Restores Him The Mother Restores Him from "Kalevala". The Mother Restores Him A search for the lost son Lemminkainen’s mother follows clues to the River of Tuoni and rakes its depths for his remains.

The Mother Restores Him from "Kalevala". The Mother Restores Him A search for the lost son Lemminkainen’s mother follows clues to the River of Tuoni and rakes its depths for his remains.

The Mother Restores Him A search for the lost son Lemminkainen’s mother follows clues to the River of Tuoni and rakes its depths for his remains. She gathers the scattered pieces of his body. Life recovered through care With divine and magical assistance, she reconnects his limbs, restores his veins, and applies healing balm. Lemminkainen awakens, and his mother persuades him to abandon the impossible swan hunt.

After Lemminkainen reaches Pohyola

During Lemminkainen’s first assigned trial

After Lemminkainen returns with the moose

After Lemminkainen delivers the bridled horse

After the hair-brush turns bloody at home