Lemminkäinen's Mother

Gallen Kallela Lemminkainens Mother

Lemminkäinen's Mother is a central character in the Finnish epic poem, the Kalevala, which is a cornerstone of Finnish mythology and culture. She is the mother of Lemminkäinen, one of the poem's main heroes, known for his adventurous and often reckless nature. Her devotion to her son exemplifies the themes of maternal love and the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her child. Her character is pivotal in several of the poem's runic sections, most notably in the ones dealing with Lemminkäinen's death and resurrection.

Character Overview

Lemminkäinen's Mother, whose name is not given in the Kalevala, is a symbol of enduring love and resilience. She is portrayed as a wise and powerful woman, adept in magic, which she uses to protect and eventually resurrect her son. After Lemminkäinen is killed in the frozen north, Pohjola, and his body dismembered and thrown into the river of Tuonela, the realm of the dead, it is his mother's determination, love, and magical abilities that bring him back to life.

Role in the Kalevala

The story of Lemminkäinen's death and resurrection is one of the most poignant in the Kalevala. After Lemminkäinen is killed by a blind man at the behest of Louhi, the mistress of Pohjola, his body is cut into pieces and scattered in the river of Tuonela. His mother, upon learning of his fate, sets out to find and resurrect her son. She first asks various elements — the sun, the moon, and the stars — for information about her son's whereabouts but receives no help. She then crafts a rake of copper and, with it, retrieves the pieces of her son's body from the river. Using her magical skills, she reassembles Lemminkäinen's body and prays to the gods to restore his life. Her prayers are eventually answered, and Lemminkäinen is resurrected.

This narrative showcases not only the depth of a mother's love but also the power of persistence and faith. Lemminkäinen's Mother's unwavering determination to bring her son back from the dead speaks to the theme of life's cyclical nature and the possibility of rebirth and renewal.

Themes and Analysis

Lemminkäinen's Mother represents the archetypal figure of the grieving mother, a motif found in various mythologies around the world. Her story touches on themes of life, death, and rebirth, highlighting the interconnectedness of all things and the cycle of life. Her character also emphasizes the power of love and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Cultural Impact

The character of Lemminkäinen's Mother has had a significant impact on Finnish culture and has been the subject of various artistic interpretations, including paintings, music, and literature. Her story exemplifies the Finnish spirit of sisu — a unique form of stoic determination, resilience, and bravery in the face of extreme adversity.

See Also

• Kalevala
• Lemminkäinen
• Finnish mythology
• Sisu