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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.