From Scandinavia to Alaska, people around the world have been in awe of Aurora for centuries, telling tall tales about their beauty and power. From strange sightings to culturally-rooted myths, these stories can give us a window into the world’s collective beliefs and imaginations of this mesmerizing natural phenomenon.

What's more, Aurora myths are especially applicable today—especially during this unprecedented pandemic times when people can no longer travel as much as they used to. Now we can explore them from the comfort of our homes and transport ourselves to a completely different world. So let’s embark on an adventure through time and space—with five of the most interesting Northern Lights legends that shape our perception of this incredible show of nature.

The Aurora Borealis is an ancient wonder of the world, inspiring mythology and legend over centuries. One of these myths is that its appearance portends times of war and conflict—it's certainly beautiful, but it also has a darker undercurrent.

In Finnish folklore, when the Aurora Borealis was at its strongest, it was said to mean war was coming. According to Norse mythology, it meant the gods were fighting. In a more modern setting, when the Northern Lights are visible in lower latitudes than usual, some cultures see this as an omen of impending conflict.

In some cultures or societies, the colors of the Northern Lights have new meaning: They dictate behavior or warn of conflict. In Greenland for example, a white Aurora means that people should calm down and be patient during a disagreement; if it appears red or blue it’s time to get out weapons because war is coming! According to this belief– fortunate for us—the North Pole has only ever seen white Auroras!

The beauty of this phenomenon can't be denied—but there's something powerful in its mythology too. The Northern Lights have been revered across centuries as harbingers of good fortune, bad tidings and times of celebration — all inspiring tales that still capture our curiosity today.

Ever wondered why the sky is full of fascinating colors? According to some, it's because Aurora Borealis is the spirits of passed animals, who've combined and are playing in the sky.

The myth of Aurora Borealis being animal spirits can be traced all the way back to ancient Inuit tribes in North America. The Inuits believe that animals souls go to a realm where they can play and frolic with others like them, a place they call "the dance floor of the aurora".

The myth says that during special events—like when a new born child or a marriage—the sky would fill with lights, as spirits rejoiced, celebrating and dancing amongst each other. It's said that when someone passes away, their spirit also joins this dance floor in the sky.

Interestingly enough, this isn't just an Inuit belief—many cultures around the world have some version of this myth. Even today, people still look up at the northern lights with wonder and fascination. There's no knowing which one is true or false – but it's fun to think about all these incredible stories!

Many of these myths and legends were created to explain the mysterious and awe-inspiring phenomena of the aurora borealis. As the phenomenon has been observed in different countries, national myths and regional stories have come to form a tapestry of culture and tradition.

The stories of gods, goddesses, and spirits that make up the mythology of the northern lights captivate us today as much as it did in the past. Although these legends come from various cultures and time periods, they demonstrate humanity's ongoing fascination with the beauty of the aurora borealis. From the Inuit to the Vikings, these captivating myths about the northern lights remind us of our shared humanity and the power of the natural world.