In truth, Iceland has relatively few accounts of superstitions involving the Northern
Lights, although a few examples stand out. For instance, if there is significant
movement in the light display, it is sometimes believed to be a sign of strong wind
approaching, but if it remains still, it indicates calm weather. We also have accounts
of the lights being seen late in winter, foretelling snowy weather. If they are red, the
lights are sometimes interpreted as a sign of war or conflict. And, should a pregnant
woman look into the lights or stars sparkling, the child she bears is at risk of being
born with a squinting eye or being cross-eyed.
The Northern Lights, however, play an important, often symbolic, role in Norse
Mythology. Some Viking warriors believed the lights were manifestations of their
Gods. Many people were afraid of them, believing in various remedies to protect
themselves from this impressive phenomenon. Gods and other figures lighting up the
sky could be, for example, the ruler himself, Odin, or Valkyries, female warriors in full
armor riding on horseback – the lights are then reflections of their armor. Some tales
speak of the lights as the breath of soldiers who die in combat.
In Finland, we see tales of people believing the lights are a bad omen, to be feared,
and something that demands respect. These could sometimes be the souls of the
dead, and you should ignore them, hide even, so
you´d not be taken by them; best to stay indoors. Fortunately, we know better, and
our tours are the opposite of that. We also have legends of the lights associated with
foxes running through the sky: fire foxes.
In North America, there are many tales of the lights being the souls of ancestors.
Also, some speak of the spirits of animals that their ancestors hunted. We also find
stories of torches, held by spirits, guiding those who have died.
Eskimos believed they could use the lights to communicate with dead relatives.
Inuits of northern Greenland speak of the spirits of the dead playing games and
being associated with the aurora.
In Canada, we see stories of the creator of the Earth, Nanabozho, who moved to the
north and lit a massive fire. Some Indian tales tell of giants, peacefully fishing at
night with torches, of course.
We do not have many sources from the more southern parts of Europe, though the
lights do appear there now and then. There, the lights are often more reddish, often
portending war or other dangers.
Finally, we do have some more positive interpretations of the aurora. Greek myth, for
instance, speaks of the dawn; Greeks and Romans spoke of Aurora, who sped
through the sky in a chariot, announcing the breaking of the new day. Finally, to
mention a few more, we find tales of animals like whales playing, swans in a flying
competition (Danes), and fishermen in Sweden speaking of schools of sparkling
herring in the sky.
One thing is sure: the northern lights, to which we bring you, are an impressive
spectacle, magnificent, mysterious, and breathtaking – an experience you will never
forget.
