The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, have captivated human imagination for thousands of years. Their ethereal dance across the night sky has inspired countless myths and legends, each reflecting the culture and beliefs of the people who witnessed this celestial ballet. From ancient tales of gods and spirits to modern interpretations, the aurora holds a special place in the hearts of those who have gazed upon its beauty.
The name "aurora borealis" itself comes from mythology - Aurora was the Roman goddess of dawn, and Boreas was the Greek god of the north wind. The term was first used by Galileo in 1619, but the stories surrounding the lights stretch back far further than that.
Inuit Beliefs
Among the Inuit peoples of the Arctic, the Northern Lights are deeply woven into spiritual life. They are often seen as the spirits of the dead playing games or dancing in the sky. Some Inuit tribes believed the lights were the spirits of animals they had hunted, while others saw them as the souls of their ancestors. These beliefs influenced their behaviour and rituals, fostering a deep respect for the natural world and the afterlife.
In some tales, the lights could be communicated with through whistling or singing - a way to connect with loved ones who had passed on. However, this was not without risk. Some communities believed that whistling at the aurora could attract the spirits’ attention, and that they might reach down and carry you away. Children were often warned not to whistle or wave at the lights.
A popular belief among some Inuit tribes is that the Northern Lights are the spirits of the dead playing a ball game using a walrus skull as the ball. This playful imagery reflects a sense of joy and connection to the afterlife. The Northern Lights are also seen as guiding lights for the recently departed, helping them find their way to the afterlife. It is believed that these lights hold torches that illuminate the path to the land of plenty, a place of abundance and peace.
In parts of Greenland, the lights were thought to be the souls of stillborn babies or children who died young, dancing across the sky. This bittersweet interpretation offered comfort to grieving families, suggesting their lost loved ones were at peace.
The National Museum in Nuuk and Itsanitaq Museum in Churchill are some of the best resources for learning more about Inuit traditions and culture.
Norse Mythology
In Norse mythology, the aurora borealis was most commonly associated with the Valkyries - female figures who chose who would live and die in battle. It was believed that the lights were the reflections of their armour and shields as they rode across the sky on horseback to collect the souls of fallen warriors and carry them to Valhalla. This association added a sense of drama and heroism to the lights, connecting them to the very fabric of life and death and the glory of battle.
In some interpretations, the Northern Lights were thought to be sent by Odin, the chief god in Norse mythology. He was believed to send the Valkyries to retrieve the souls of brave warriors, and the auroras were seen as a divine signal of his presence and favour. This connection to Odin added a layer of reverence to the lights, as they were not just a natural phenomenon but a manifestation of divine will and the cycle of life and death.
Another Norse legend connects the aurora to the Bifrost - the burning rainbow bridge that links Midgard (the world of humans) to Asgard (the realm of the gods). Some scholars believe that the shimmering, colourful curtains of the aurora may have been the original inspiration for this mythical bridge. When the lights appeared, it was said the gods were crossing between worlds.
Frontispiece to Fridtjof Nansen’s In Northern Mists: Arctic Exploration in Early Times (1911)
The Old Norse word for the aurora was "norðrljós" - literally "northern lights" - first recorded in the Norwegian chronicle Konungs Skuggsjá (The King’s Mirror) around 1230 AD. The text offers surprisingly scientific speculation about the lights, suggesting they might be reflections of fires that surround the ocean, or light stored in the ice that radiates back into the sky at night.
Beyond their mythological roots, the Northern Lights inspired various forms of art, poetry and storytelling in Norse culture. They were woven into the fabric of their understanding of the world, symbolising beauty, mystery and the connection between humanity and the cosmos.
Sámi Traditions
The Sámi people, the indigenous inhabitants of northern Scandinavia and Finland, have one of the most complex relationships with the Northern Lights. In the Sámi language, the aurora is called "guovssahas" - which some linguists believe translates to "the light you can hear." This name hints at the long-held belief that the aurora produces sound, something scientists have only recently begun to investigate.
For many Sámi communities, the Northern Lights were treated with great caution and respect. It was considered dangerous to mock the lights, wave at them, or draw attention to yourself while they were active. Doing so might anger the spirits within, who could reach down and snatch you from the ground, or cause you misfortune. Some communities would stay indoors when the aurora was particularly active, and children were told to wear hats to protect themselves.
In some Sámi traditions, the aurora represented the souls of the dead, and it was important to behave solemnly in their presence. Others believed the lights were caused by a firefox - a great arctic fox running across the snow so quickly that its tail threw sparks up into the sky. This image is preserved in the Finnish word for the Northern Lights: "revontulet," which literally means "fox fires."
You can learn more about Sámi culture and their relationship with the natural world at museums and cultural centres across northern Scandinavia, including in Tromsø and Alta.
Finnish Folklore
As mentioned above, the Finnish word for the Northern Lights - "revontulet" - means "fox fires." According to Finnish legend, a magical firefox ran through the snowy fells of Lapland, and as its bushy tail brushed against the snow drifts, it sent sparks flying up into the night sky, painting it with colour. In some versions of the tale, the fox deliberately creates the lights; in others, it’s an accidental consequence of its incredible speed.
This legend has deep roots in Finnish culture and remains one of the most beloved explanations for the aurora. It captures the Finnish sense of wonder at the natural world and the playful spirit of their storytelling tradition. The firefox has become something of a national symbol associated with the Northern Lights and is widely used in Finnish tourism and art.
In older Finnish folk belief, the lights were also sometimes associated with the spirits of the dead or seen as an omen. A common saying held that if you could see the Northern Lights, the weather would turn cold - which, given the connection between clear skies and aurora visibility, often proved true.
Scottish and Celtic Legends
In Scotland, the Northern Lights are known as "Na Fir Chlis" - the Nimble Men or the Merry Dancers. According to Gaelic legend, the lights were caused by supernatural warriors or fallen angels fighting epic battles in the sky. The red hues sometimes visible in the aurora were said to be the blood of these wounded sky warriors falling to earth.
Some Scottish folklore took a gentler view, seeing the Merry Dancers as sky spirits celebrating or playing games. In the Orkney and Shetland Islands - where the aurora is seen relatively frequently - the lights were a familiar part of winter life and inspired both awe and caution. It was sometimes believed that the lights foretold stormy weather or conflict.
In Irish mythology, the aurora was sometimes linked to the Fir Bolg or the Tuatha Dé Danann - mythical races who inhabited Ireland before the Celts. The lights were seen as reflections of their otherworldly battles or celebrations.
East Asian Beliefs
Japan and China
In Japanese and Chinese cultures, the Northern Lights have long been associated with fertility and good fortune. Conceiving a child under the Northern Lights is thought to be an auspicious event, with the belief that children conceived during this celestial display will be blessed with good looks, intellect and a generous dose of good fortune.
In these traditions, the aurora borealis is seen as a powerful symbol of luck and prosperity, suggesting that the magical energy of the lights can impart wisdom and positive traits to the child. This enchanting belief adds a layer of romance and wonder to the experience of witnessing the Northern Lights, making it not just a visual spectacle but also a moment filled with hope and dreams for the future.
On a trip to Northern Iceland some years ago, a receptionist at our hotel told us of their aurora wake-up call. They found it amusing how on receipt of the call most visitors would rush out to try to catch a glimpse of the lights, whereas many Japanese and Chinese guests would be hanging "do not disturb" signs on their doors.
In ancient China, the aurora was sometimes interpreted as a celestial dragon or a sign from the heavens. Historical Chinese records contain some of the earliest written observations of the aurora, dating back over 2,000 years. Because the lights are rarely visible at Chinese latitudes, their appearance was considered especially significant - often interpreted as a portent of great change.
Korea
In Korean folklore, the rare appearance of the Northern Lights was often recorded in royal chronicles and interpreted as a message from the heavens to the king. Depending on the colour and intensity, it could be read as either a blessing or a warning to rule more justly.
North American Indigenous Peoples
Beyond the Inuit, many other Indigenous peoples of North America developed their own interpretations of the aurora. The Cree people believed the lights were the spirits of the departed trying to communicate with their loved ones on Earth. When the aurora was active, it was a time to reflect on those who had passed.
The Algonquin peoples believed that Nanahbozho, the creator, had travelled to the far north after finishing the creation of the Earth. The lights were the reflection of his great fires, lit to remind his people that he still thought of them.
The Menominee of Wisconsin believed the lights were torches used by friendly giants to the north who were spear-fishing at night. The Fox tribe saw the lights as the ghosts of slain enemies attempting to rise again, serving as an omen of war and pestilence.
For the Makah people of Washington State, the aurora was the light of fires in the far north, where a tribe of dwarfs boiled whale blubber. Each culture found in the lights a reflection of their own world and concerns.
Aurora as Omens
Across many cultures, the appearance of the aurora - particularly at lower latitudes where it is rare - was interpreted as a portent of significant events. In medieval Europe, the red aurora was often seen as a bad omen, associated with war, plague or divine anger. The blood-red skies were thought to foretell bloodshed, and historical records show spikes in aurora sightings correlating with periods of heightened solar activity that coincided with major conflicts.
Before the Battle of Fredericksburg in 1862 during the American Civil War, soldiers on both sides reported seeing a vivid red aurora. Confederate troops interpreted it as a sign of divine favour, while Union soldiers saw it as an ill omen. Similar accounts exist from before major European battles and plagues throughout the Middle Ages.
In contrast, some cultures viewed the aurora as a sign of good harvests, successful hunts, or the favour of the gods. The interpretation often depended on the colour - green and white lights were generally seen as benign, while red was almost universally regarded with apprehension.
Some cultures believed the lights could influence weather patterns, with the aurora’s appearance predicting cold snaps or storms. Others saw them as a bridge between the mortal world and the realm of the gods - a liminal space where the boundaries between worlds grew thin.
The Aurora in Modern Culture
Credit: Svein-Magne Tunli
The Northern Lights Cathedral in Alta, Norway, designed by LINK arkitektur in collaboration with Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects and opened in 2013. The cathedral’s wave-like roof is inspired by the aurora borealis.
Today, the Northern Lights continue to inspire artists, architects, musicians, writers and dreamers. They appear in literature from Philip Pullman’s "His Dark Materials" - where the aurora is a window between parallel worlds - to countless films, songs and works of visual art.
The lights feature prominently in Scandinavian design and culture, from the wave-like roof of the Northern Lights Cathedral in Alta to album artwork and fashion. They have become a symbol of the Arctic itself - representing wilderness, wonder and the power of nature.
Modern science has demystified the mechanism behind the aurora, but it has done nothing to diminish its emotional impact. If anything, understanding that we are watching the visible effect of solar wind colliding with our planet’s magnetic shield makes the experience even more profound. The lights are a reminder of our place in the solar system - a beautiful consequence of Earth’s invisible defences protecting life below.
Whether viewed through the lens of science or the prism of myth, the aurora borealis remains a timeless symbol of wonder and mystery, inviting us to look up and marvel at the magic unfolding above us.
Further Reading
For those interested in exploring the myths, legends and historical accounts of the Northern Lights, the following book provides a wealth of information:
Asgeir Brekke & Alv Egeland (1983) The Northern Light: From Mythology to Space Research Springer Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69106-5