Tapio (spirit)

Tapio (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈt̪ɑpio̞]) is a Finnish forest spirit or god in Finnish mythology.[1] Hunters prayed to him before a hunt and prayed to the nut god after the hunt. His wife is the goddess of the forest, Mielikki. He is the father of Annikki, Tellervo, Nyyrikki (the god of hunting), and Tuulikki. Fitting the Green Man archetype, Tapio has a beard of lichen and eyebrows of moss.[2]

For other uses, see Tapio.

Mikael Agricola mentions Tapio as a Tavastian god in the prologue to his finnish translation of the Book of Psalms, Dauidin Psalttari.

He lends his name, in the form of Tapiola, to:

He also appears in the Nightwish song, Elvenpath, as Tapio, bear king, ruler of the forest.

Jean Sibelius' tone poem Tapiola (1926) is a depiction of the forest Tapio inhabits.

References
  1. "Britannica". britannica.com. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  2. Ragg, Margherita. "A Magical Night of Finnish Myths in Finland". thefairytaletraveler.com. TRAVEL MEDIA SOLUTIONS, LLC DBA THE FAIRYTALE TRAVELER. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
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