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The Secret World of the Northern Lights Myths: Top 19 Aurora Myths and Legends

It is obvious why the Aurora Borealis have impacted myths and legends throughout history. Imagine staring up at dancing green, red, and purple lights. Captivating? Scary? Oh, yes. While back then, Northern Lights myths depicted everything from departed souls to animals and terrifying spirits. Similarly, these myths and legends have travelled along with human evolution. Read on to learn about the top 19 Northern Light myths!
Northern Lights Swan myths

1. Competing Swans

The Danes have stories in which the Northern Lights were formed when a group of swans held a contest to see which among them could fly further north; on their journey, a few of the swans became trapped in the ice. As they escaped, they flapped their wings furiously, lifting snowflakes high into the sky and creating brilliant streaks of light by reflecting the light from the stars.
northern lights myths and legends

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Revontulet Firefox Northern Lights myths and legends

2. Firefox

Revontulet, the Finnish name for the Northern Lights, can literally be translated as ‘firefox.’ To explain the beautiful lights displayed in the sky, that was only visible during the winter months, it was believed that Finnish Arctic foxes were responsible. They either ran across the snowy mountains so fast that their tails swept snowflakes into the sky, which reflected the light from the moon and stars creating colourful lights in the sky, or their large furry tails brushed against the mountains and created sparks that lit up the sky. 
Aurora legends childbirth Iceland folklore

3. Ease the pain of Childbirth & Cross-eyed Child

The Northern Lights were a true blessing for pregnant women, according to Icelandic folklore. Back then, they were believed to be a natural means to ease the pain of childbirth, but of course, a powerful phenomenon like this could not come without a price. Pregnant women were warned not to look directly at the Aurora under any circumstances, as they feared it would result in their child being born cross-eyed. 
Aurora borealis legends cree tribes aurora legends ancestors

4. Ancestors & Barking Dog

Several Cree tribes strongly believe that all life is connected. The Northern Lights hold their place firmly in their legends as a means of communication with their ancestors, and as the home to all spirits. They also believed that if dogs were to bark at the lights, it was because they recognized their lost loved ones and were trying to speak with them once more. The lights hold a special place in their hearts and their belief system.
Torches of the spirits aurora tales

5. Torches of the Spirits

Some Native American tribes have stories that describe the Northern lights as being the torches of the spirits chosen as guides to the land of brightness and plenty. Lighting the souls of the dead through the abyss. It was said that if you heard the lights whistling to you, you must respond to them by whispering and waiting to listen to what they may ask of you.
aurora borealis fishermen good fortune

6. Good fortune for fishermen

The proud fishermen of Sweden greet the Northern Lights with a smile on their faces and hearts full of hope. It was told that the lights were the reflection of huge schools of herring swimming nearby, telling the fishermen that a hefty catch was close and that their families would have a meal on the table secured. They are a symbol of good fortune and safe travels across calm waters.


aurora tales souls of the dead

7. Souls of the Dead

The Sámi believed that the Northern Lights were malicious. Thought to be the souls of the dead, even speaking of the lights was looked at with caution, as anyone thought to tease the lights by waving, whistling, or singing beneath them would alert their presence, opening you up to their harassment and eventually lifting you to the skies. One of the more sinister interpretations of the Northern Lights the Sámi still tell is of the lights reaching down to earth to slice your head, clean off your body. Even today, some take to the safety of their homes when darkness looms and the deathly hue of green begins to light up the skies.
Northern Lights tales and legends, canada, demons

8. Demons with Lanterns chasing Lost Souls

To those living in Hudson Bay, Canada, the lights would hold a wide array of meanings ranging from cautionary tales to tales of spirits using the lights as guides, but one belief held commonly among the masses is that of demons holding lanterns and chasing poor lost souls across the skies. This tale has been in the belief of the Inuit of Hudson Bay for generations and shows just how complex the myths can become.
Finland Sami Aurora Borealis Myths and tales

9. Whale Spouts

The Sámi that reside in Finland believed that the lights came to be when the great whales surfaced to take a breath. The water spray from their spouts reached the very heavens, reflecting light across the sky and causing a dazzling display. Whales hold a special place in their folklore and their creation of the Northern Lights were seen as a gift given to the mortal world.
Inuit Aurora myth walrus skull

10. Human Spirits playing a ball with the skull of a Walrus

Many Inuit Tribes further north believed the lights to be the spirits of humans, playing a game of ball using the skull of a walrus. It was said if you watched carefully, you could see the spirits engaging in a play. It was common to sit and watch the lights dance to honor the spirits of the humans and the spirit of the walruses.
Aurora borealis legend walrus playing ball game myths

11. Walrus Spirits playing ball with the skull of an unfortunate Human

The good people of remote Nunavik Island also told the same stories as the same Inuit tribes further north for reasons we will doubtless never fathom. They also believed that the Aurora depicted a ball game scene, except the roles were reversed. It was not human spirits playing ball with the skull of a walrus, but walrus spirits playing ball with the skull of an unfortunate human. 
Northern lights myth and legend, faroe islands

12. Scorched Hair

Children on the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic were warned during wintertime to wear a hat at all times. Legend tells of the Northern Lights reaching down and setting your hair ablaze. To this day, they still take care not to cut their hair under the light of the Aurora. On the off chance that the lights decide to catch their hair on fire.
Aurora tales and northern lights myths lakota Sioux

13. Generations yet to be Born

The Lakota Sioux have many myths and legends about the skies, each telling tales of spirits making their journey to the happy hunting ground or the trials of the Sky Road. The same remains true when it comes to the Northern Lights. To them, the lights are the spirits of the generations yet to come, dancing in anticipation of being born into the mortal world. They wait patiently as they look down upon our world with hopeful eyes, and we look upon their light with wonder.
aurora borealis myth alska spirits of animals

14. Spirits of hunted animals

The Inupiat in Alaska, like many different communities at the time, had to hunt for survival, but they believed that the spirits of animals they killed had the chance to roam in another life. When the Aurora lit up the sky, they believed the spirits of these animals came out one more time. Beluga whales, seals, salmon, elk, and deer could roam freely once again, except that their new realm was the sky this time.
Northern lights legends and tales from norway dancing maid

15. Dancing Maids

In Norway, people tell many tales of the Northern Lights’ origins. The lights were believed to be the glow of old maids dancing across the heavens, waving at those below in the mortal realm, greeting them happily.
Northern Lights Myths Scotland Merry Dancers

16. Merry Dancers

In Scotland, the Northern Lights are known as ‘Mirrie Dancers’ or Merry Dancers. It was believed that the lights were the cause of fallen angels or ‘sky warriors’ engaging in epic battles. Their clashes are seen across the skies. It was also said that when one of their blades struck an enemy and their blood hit the earth, it would stain the ground and create “blood stones.” Further confirming the belief that the battle was happening.
Northern Lights myth china dragon aurora

17. Dragons having Epic Battles

It’s also very rare to see the lights in China. When they did cross the skies, it was no surprise that the ancient Chinese would watch them dance in wonder and awe. There are several legends telling tales of dragons having epic battles in the skies, their clashes illuminating the skies with a fierce and powerful light.
aurora borealis tales myths from Japan, lucky child

18. Fortunate Child

Japanese culture views the lights as a blessing. They believe that if a child is conceived under the glow of the lights, it will grow up to have good looks, high intellect and be fortunate with every step they take. To this day, many people travel to the artic to hopefully have a fortune smile on their future children.
northern lights tales and myths bad oman in france and italy plague and death

19. Bad Omen

It was rare for the Aurora to even show up in Southern Europe, and when they did, it required intense solar activity, making the lights appear red. Something so unfamiliar and unexplainable generated fear among the poor residents of France and Italy. Naturally, when the lights appeared in their skies, they believed them to be a bad omen heralding the outbreak of anything from war to plague and even death.

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Learn about the Top 19 Aurora Myths and Legends. But that's not all. Have you ever thought about how did it happen that people started to believe in these Myths and Legends? What had happened that night? 19 of Aurora Myths and Legends were turned into tales and are right here for you in this collection.
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