Rauni (deity)

Rauni (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈrɑu̯ni]) is a name for a being in Finnish mythology. The exact role and identity of Rauni is debated, and theories range from Rauni having been a mother goddess and consort of Ukko to being identified with Ukko himself.

Interpretations

The opinion among scholars concerning the role of Rauni in Finnish mythology is varied. Some Rauni interpret as a name for the consort of Ukko, the Finnish god of thunder. Some also identify Rauni with the rowan tree, citing the reconstructed Old Norse form *raunir (English: rowan) as linguistic evidence. Others still, among them Martti Haavio, contend that Rauni is simply an epithet for a deity called Ukko, who may or may not be the well-known Finnish thunder god, and that the other theories are based on misreading a poem documenting Finnish Pre-Christian belief authored by Mikael Agricola.

See also

References
  • Haavio, Martti: Karjalan jumalat. Porvoo: WSOY, 1959.
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