Finnish Lake Life and Spirits
Finnish Lake Life and Spirits by Nellamo
The artwork by Nellamo "Finnish Lake Life and Spirits" features various flora, fauna, and spirits and phenomena from the folklore linked to water fronts of Finland.
The water nymphs "vedenneito" in the middle of the art piece were described as beautiful women brushing their long locks by lakesides. These nymphs were said to lure people to their deaths. On the other hand, showing good manners to a water deity could result in receiving a magical gift, such as great fortune.
"Veden väki," or the water folk, were part of the mystical power of the water—a force you could harness to your own benefit if you successfully completed a task a water spirit wished. Gifts could be a white shirt that would never get dirty, or a water folk’s cow from their own herd.
The milk from the water folk’s cows, "vedenkarjan maito," was said to have valuable and healing properties. If a water folk was somehow "wronged," there would be consequences, such as various skin diseases.
This artwork decorates the new 100% organic cotton t-shirts by Nellamo. These garments are a limited edition by Nellamo, here you can obtain your own piece of these Nordic myths, water flora and fauna!
Purchase the Lake T-shirt by Nellamo
Flora and fauna featured in the Finnish Lake Life and Spirits t-shirt:
Uistinvita (Potamogeton natans), Rupikonna "rupisammakko" (Bufo bufo), Isopalpakko (Sparganium erectum), Isoukonkorento (Aeshna crenata), Vesilisko (new name suggestion, manteri, Lissotriton vulgaris, previous Triturus vulgaris), Kalvasärviä (Myriophyllum sibiricum), Pikkujärvisimpukka (Anodonta anatina), Järvikorte (Equisetum fluviatile), Keltalaitasukeltaja (Dytiscus marginalis), Kuore (Osmerus eperlanus).
References:
- Pulkkinen, Risto & Lindfors, Daniel 2016. Suomalaisen kansanuskon sanakirja. Tallinna: Gaudeamus.
- Niemi, A. R. (toim.) 1908–1948. Suomen kansan vanhat runot. Helsinki: Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura.