Väinämöinen

Väinämöinen is a hero of Finnish mythology and the main character in the Finnish national epic Kalevala. He is 730 years long in the womb of his mother, daughter of the skies Ilmatar, and has grown since its birth wisdom. He is also owned by the magical voice. This he showed, among other things, by letting sinking the impetuous Joukahainen by his singing in a swamp. The implored to Väinämöinen to let him live and promised him his sister Aino. However, this declined from Väinämöinen because of his advanced age, and preferred to go into the water.

In the Kalevala is reported that Väinämöinen has killed a large pike and made ​​his jawbone a kantele. He also tried along with Lemminkäinen and Ilmarinen, the Sampo from Louhi to rob. In the experiment it was destroyed.

The last song of the Kalevala, the story of Väinämöinen ends. The Virgin Marjatta becomes pregnant by eating a cranberry. She gives birth to a son and shows him Väinämöinen. This decides that the fatherless child must be killed. But just two weeks old kid proves that it also has the wisdom and is even more powerful than Väinämöinen. Therefore Väinämöinen appoint him king of Karelia.

Väinämöinen then goes to the shore of the sea, sings with his magical voice brought a boat made ​​of copper and leaves the mortal realm. In his last words he says that he will someday again used and will then return.

Estonian Parallel

In the Estonian national epic Kalevipoeg Väinämöinen corresponds to the God Vanemuine.

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