Editing Ukko

{{short description|God of the sky, weather, harvest and thunder in Finnish mythology}}

{{Infobox deity
| type = Finnic
| image = Ekman,_Lemminkäinen_tulisella_järvellä_(sketch).jpg
| caption = Painting by [[Robert Wilhelm Ekman|Robert Ekman]] in 1867 called {{Lang|fi|Lemminkäinen tulisella järvellä}} where {{lang|fi|[[Lemminkäinen]]}} asks help from {{lang|fi|Ukko ylijumala|italic=unset}} with crossing the lake in fire on his route to the ''wedding at  {{lang|fi|Pohjola|italic=unset}}''.
| name = Ukko
| god_of = God of the sky, lightning, thunder, and harvest
| abode = 
| symbol = Rowan tree, great mullein
| weapon = Hammer, sword or axe
| battles = 
| consort = [[Akka (spirit)|Akka]]
| parents = 
| siblings = 
| children = 
| mount = 
| Slavic_equivalent = [[Perun]]
| equivalent1_type = Norse
| equivalent1 = [[Thor]]
| equivalent2_type = Baltic
| equivalent2 = [[Perkūnas]]
| equivalent3_type = Sami
| equivalent3 = [[Horagalles]]<ref>[[Gabriel Turville-Petre|Turville-Petre, E. O. G.]] (1964). ''[https://ia600508.us.archive.org/34/items/TurvillePetreMythAndReligionOfTheNorth/Turville-Petre_Myth_and_Religion_of_the_North_text.pdf Myth and Religion of the North: The Religion of Ancient Scandinavia]''. [[Weidenfeld and Nicolson]] p. 98.</ref>
| Greek_equivalent = [[Zeus]]
| Etruscan_equivalent = 
| Roman_equivalent = [[Jupiter (mythology)|Jupiter]]
| Hinduism_equivalent = [[Indra]]
| Indo-european_equivalent = [[Perkwunos]]
}}
[[Image:Ukonkivi2.jpg|thumb|278x278px|{{lang|fi|[[Ukonkivi]]}} (Ukko's rock) in [[Lake Inari]] in [[Lapland (Sweden)|Lapland]]. {{lang|fi|Ukonkivi|italic=unset}} was a holy site to the [[Inari Sami people|local Sami]] and [[archeology|archeological]] finds, apparently [[sacrifice|offerings]], have been found there.]]'''{{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}}''' ({{IPA|fi|ˈukːo|lang}}),<ref>{{cite book |title=Dictionary of Nature Myths: Legends of the earth, sea, and sky |isbn=0-19-513677-2 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=7jS65aClvFEC&dq=UKKO&pg=PA214 214] |last1=Andrews |first1=Tamra |date=2000 |publisher=Oxford University Press }}</ref> '''{{lang|fi|Äijä|italic=unset}}''' {{IPA|fi|ˈæi̯jæ|}} or '''{{lang|fi|Äijö|italic=unset}}''' {{IPA|fi|ˈæi̯jø|}} ([[Finnish language|Finnish]] for 'male grandparent', 'grandfather', 'old man'),<ref>{{cite book |title=Suomen sanojen alkuperä |year=2000 |publisher=SKS |location=Helsinki, FI |isbn=951-717-712-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Äijät ja ämmät, vaarit ja muorit. Isovanhempien nimitykset suomen murteissa |url=http://www.kielikello.fi/index.php?mid=2&pid=11&aid=1048 |url-status=dead |access-date=2015-12-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225183810/http://www.kielikello.fi/index.php?mid=2&pid=11&aid=1048 |archive-date=2015-12-25 }}</ref> parallel to '''Uku''' in [[Estonian mythology]],<ref>{{cite magazine |first=J. |last=Sapas |date=October 1919 |title=Heathan religions of the ancient Estonians |magazine=The Esthonian Review |volume=1 |issue=4 |pages=145–146 (re:''Uku'') |place=London, UK |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-D9DAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA145 |access-date=2023-07-04 |via=Google Books}}</ref> is the [[god of the sky]], weather, [[List of agricultural gods|harvest]], and [[List of thunder gods|thunder]]<ref name=Haavio-1967>{{cite book |last=Haavio |first=Martti |year=1967 |title=Suomalainen mytologia |publisher=WSOY |location=Porvoo Helsinki, FI}}</ref> across [[Finnic paganism]].

{{lang|fi|Ukkonen}}, the Finnish word for [[thunder]], is the [[diminutive]] form of the name {{lang|fi|Ukko}}.{{efn|
Compare to ''thunder'' ({{langx|ang|þunor}}) and {{langx|de|donner}} ({{langx|goh|donar}}) both derived from [[Proto-Germanic]] ''*þunraz'' and originally synonymic with appellations of the [[Thor|thunder god]].
}}{{efn|
In [[Finnish language|Finnish]], diminutive formations do not carry the same pejorative or belittling connotations they do in some other languages, for example [[Latin]].
}}
{{ill|Unto Salo|fi|Unto Salo|lt=Unto Salo}} believes that {{lang|fi|[[Ilmarinen|Ilmari]]}}, another Finnic sky god, is the origin of {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}}, but that as {{lang|fi|Ukko Ilmari|italic=unset}} experienced very significant, although far from total, influence from the [[Proto-Indo-European religion|Indo-European sky god]] especially in the form of [[Thor]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Salo |first=Unto |year=1990 |title=Agricola's Ukko in the light of archeology. A chronological and interpretative study of ancient Finnish religion: Old Norse and Finnish religions and cultic place-names |location=Turku |isbn=951-649-695-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Salo |first=Unto |year=2006 |title=Ukko: The god of thunder of the ancient Finns and his Indo-European family |publisher=[[Institute for the Study of Man]] |isbn=978-0941694940}}</ref> Some believe that {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}}'s original name was [[Baltic languages|Baltic]] [[Perkūnas]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Siikala |first=Anna-Leena |year=2013 |title=Itämerensuomalaisten mytologia |publisher=SKS |location=Helsinki}}</ref>

{{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}} is considered to be the most significant [[god]] of Finnish mythology, although it is disputed by scholars whether this is accountable to later Christian influence. In the [[oral poetry|folk poems]] and [[prayers]], he is also given the [[epithet]] {{lang|fi|Ylijumala}} ('Supreme God'), probably in reference to his status as the most highly regarded god and on the other hand his traditional domain in the [[heaven]]s. Other names for {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}} include {{Lang|fi|Pitkänen}} ({{Lang|fi|pitkä}}, 'long'), {{Lang|fi|Isäinen}} ({{Lang|fi|isä}}, 'father'), {{Lang|fi|Isoinen}} ({{Lang|fi|iso}}, archaic form of the above, modern meaning 'great', 'big' or 'large'). Although portrayed active in [[myth]], when appealed to {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}} makes all his appearances in [[legend]] solely by [[natural phenomena]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Salo |first=Unto |year=1990 |title=Agricola's Ukko in the light of archeology |quote=A chronological and interpretative study of ancient Finnish religion: Old Norse and Finnish religions and cultic place-names. |location=Turku |isbn=951-649-695-4}}</ref> According to {{lang|fi|[[Martti Haavio]]}}, the name Ukko was sometimes used as a [[common noun]] or generalised epithet for multiple deities instead of denoting a specific god.<ref name=Haavio-1959/>
[[Image:Ukkosjumalan aseet.svg|thumb|285x285px|Pre-Christian pendants associated with [[God of Thunder|thunder gods]].
{{nobr|'''{{sc|A}}''' Finnish}} type,
{{nobr|'''{{sc|B}}''' Swedish}} type,
{{nobr|'''{{sc|C}}''' Wolf's}} cross.
]]

==Origins==
{{more citations needed|section|date=May 2010}}

{{Expand section|date=July 2012}}
[[Image:Båtformig skafthålsyxa, Nordisk familjebok.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Corded Ware culture]] boat-shaped battle axe from {{lang|sv|[[Närke]]}}, Sweden.]]
It is likely that the figure of {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}} is mostly [[Proto-Indo-Europeans|Indo-European]], possibly [[Baltic region|Baltic]], in origin. {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}} is held by [[Comparative religion|researchers of religion]] to be parallel to Indo-European [[patriarchal]] sky deities, for example to [[Zeus]] and [[Jupiter (mythology)|Jupiter]] of the [[Classical mythology|Classical]] [[Greco-Roman pantheon]], the Indian [[Hindu]] god [[Indra]], the [[Baltic paganism|Balto]]-[[Slavic paganism|Slavic]] god [[Perun]]-[[Perkūnas]] and the [[Norse mythology|Norse]] god [[Thor]]. {{lang|fi|[[Tuuri]]}}, a [[Germanic mythology|Germanic]] loan and [[cognate]] of Thor, was possibly an alternate name for {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}}.<ref name="Virrankoski 2009">{{cite book |last=Virrankoski |first=Pentti |year=2009 |title=Suomen historia |volume=1 & 2 |publisher=SKS |location=Helsinki |isbn=978-952-222-160-5}}</ref> {{lang|fi|Tuuri|italic=unset}} is rarely encountered in Finnish mythology, and had been relegated to the mere role of deity of harvest and success.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}}

It is possible that when {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}} took the position of the preceding sky god {{lang|fi|[[Ilmarinen]]}}, {{lang|fi|Ilmarinen|italic=unset}}'s destiny was to become [[Culture hero|a mortal smith-hero]].{{citation needed|date=July 2012}} Stories tell about {{lang|fi|Ilmarinen|italic=unset}} vaulting the sky-dome.<ref>{{cite book |editor-first=John Martin |editor-last=Crawford |year=1888 |title=The Kalevala |title-link=Kalevala |section=Rune&nbsp;X |at=stanza&nbsp;17 |section-url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/kveng/kvrune10.htm}}</ref> Whether {{lang|fi|Ilmarinen|italic=unset}} was an earlier, assumably [[Uralic mythologies|Uralic]] sky deity is regardless highly questionable. Some researchers hold {{lang|fi|Ilmarinen|italic=unset}} and {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}} equivalent.

The [[Sami people|Sami]] worshipped a similar deity, called [[Aijeke]], probably as result of cultural cross-contamination or common origin. The god was equated with [[Horagalles]].

==Finnish folklore==
{{more citations needed|section|date=November 2020}}
[[Image:aaninen.jpg|thumb|100px|Simplified drawing of a stone carving type found in [[Karelia]], which is believed to have characteristics of both snakes and lightning.]]

{{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}} possessed a weapon, often a [[hammer]] called {{lang|fi|[[Ukonvasara]]}} (Ukko's hammer), sometimes also an [[axe]] ({{Langx|fi|Ukonkirves}}) or a [[sword]], by which he struck [[lightning]] (see [[thunderbolt]]). {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}}'s weapon was largely comparable to the Norse [[Mjölnir]], and [[Iron Age]] emblematic [[pendants]] depicting hammers and axes similar or identical to [[Scandinavia]]n specimens have been unearthed in Finland. Like Mjölnir, {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}}'s weapon has been linked by some to the [[Battle Axe culture|boat-shaped battle axes]] of the [[Corded Ware culture]].

[[Thunderbolts]] were sometimes called {{Lang|fi|Ukon vaaja}} (bolt of Ukko) or {{Lang|fi|Ukon nuoli}} (arrow of Ukko). It is possible that the [[Birch bark letter no. 292]], written in a [[Baltic-Finnic language]] and unearthed in [[Novgorod]], makes use of the metaphor, also referring to {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}} as ''doom-god'' according to one interpretation translated by Yuri Yeliseyev in modern English and interpreted in modern Finnish: ''God's arrow, ten [is] your name. This arrow is God's own. The Doom-God leads.''<ref>{{cite journal |last=Елисеев |first=Ю.С.  |year=1959 |title=Древнейший письменный памятник одного из прибалтийско-финских языков |lang=ru |trans-title=The most ancient written monument of one of the Baltic-Finnish languages |journal=Изв. АН СССР |publisher=Отд-ние лит. и языка |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=65–72}}</ref> The name {{lang|fi|Ukon vaaja}} was also used of [[Neolithic]] [[stone tools]] such as battle axes, which were employed as [[Thunderstone (folklore)|thunderstones]] to be buried at the corners of dwellings

[[Thunderstorms]] were sometimes interpreted as result of {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}} [[copulating]] with his wife {{lang|fi|[[Akka (Spirit)|Akka]]}} {{lit|old woman}}.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}} However, according to Martti Haavio, the text written by [[Mikael Agricola]] which has been used to justify this interpretation is a misunderstanding. He argued that Agricola's text mentioned two completely different gods, a fertility god [[Rauni (deity)|Rauni-ukko]] and his wife, whose copulation would result in fertile fields.<ref>{{cite book |last=Haavio |first=Martti |date= 1958-01-03 |title=Rauni (Virittäjä Vol 62 Nro 3 (1958)) |url=https://journal.fi/virittaja/article/view/33625/46684 |location= |publisher=Virittäjä |page=254–256 |isbn= |access-date=2025-03-18}}</ref> He also was believed to cause thunderstorms by driving his [[chariot]] through the skies. 

[[Neolithic]] stone carvings have been found in [[Russian Karelia]] which have features of both snakes and lightning. It is, however, uncertain whether these are directly connected to the figure of {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}}. Evidence for [[Snake worship|worship of snakes]] is found among different cultures around the Baltic, including the Estonians and Finns.<ref>{{cite web |title=Suojelevat käärmeet |date=4 April 2011 |website=taivaannaula.org |url=http://www.taivaannaula.org/2011/04/suojelevat-kaarmeet/}}</ref>

There is evidence that the [[rowan tree]] was held sacred to {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}}.<ref name=Haavio-1967/> {{lang|fi|[[Rauni (deity)|Rauni]]}}, a vaguely defined being has been hypothesised to be cognate to Germanic words for the rowan tree through {{Langx|non|*raunir}}.<ref name=Haavio-1959>{{cite book |last=Haavio |first=Martti |year=1959 |title=Karjalan jumalat |publisher=WSOY |location=Porvoo}}</ref>

The [[ladybird]] was also considered sacred to {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}} and called {{Lang|fi|ukonlehmä}} (Ukko's cow).<ref name="Virrankoski 2009"/> The Finnish name of the [[great mullein]] (''Verbascum thapsus'') is {{Lang|fi|ukontulikukka}} (Ukko's fire flower), also linked to worship of {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}}.<ref>{{cite book |last1 = Halkka |first1 = Antti |display-authors=etal |year = 1998 |orig-year = 1994 |title= Kotimaan luonto-opas |language = fi |edition = 5th |location = Porvoo, Helsinki, Juva |publisher = Werner Söderström Osakeyhtiö |page = 139 |isbn = 951-0-19804-8}}</ref>

==Festivals dedicated to Ukko==
{{See also|Vakkajuhlat}}
Before the advent of [[Christianity]], the [[Midsummer]] festival in Finland, today known as {{lang|fi|[[Juhannus#Finland|Juhannus]]}} after [[John the Baptist]] ({{Langx|fi|Johannes Kastaja}}), was held in honor of {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}} and called {{lang|fi|[[Ukon juhla]]}} (Festival of Ukko). This tradition carried to the 19th century.<ref>{{cite web|title=Juhannus, mittumaari, vuotuisjuhlista vehrein|url=http://www.kotus.fi/index.phtml?s=2338|access-date=2012-07-18|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316235419/http://www.kotus.fi/index.phtml?s=2338|archive-date=2012-03-16}}</ref>

Also dedicated to {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}} were the {{lang|fi|[[Vakkajuhlat]]}} ({{Lang|fi|Vakka}} festival) also known as {{Lang|fi|Ukon vakat}} (Ukko's {{Lang|fi|vakkas}}) or simply {{Lang|fi|vakat}} ({{Lang|fi|Vakka}}s). {{Lang|fi|Vakka}}s were commonly held in May coinciding with the spring [[sowing]]. During {{Lang|fi|Vakka}}s it was customary to consume or otherwise offer a container or some other vessel ({{Langx|fi|vakka}}) of an [[alcoholic beverage]] or food as sacrifice. It appears that often the festival was held in the community's [[sacred grove]] or {{Lang|fi|[[hiisi]]}} where an [[animal sacrifice]] was sometimes also performed as part of the same festival. This [[ceremony]] was believed to guarantee good weather for the coming year and thus a good [[harvest]].<ref name=Haavio-1967/>

It appears that the {{Lang|fi|vakka}} tradition was rather lively. The last uncontested reports of {{Lang|fi|Vakka}}s being held originate in the 19th century, although sporadic reports also surface in the 20th century.<ref name=Haavio-1967/> The festival is also mentioned by the Finnish reformer {{lang|fi|[[Mikael Agricola]]}} in his account of what from his point of view was Finnish [[idolatry]].<ref>{{cite report |first=Mikael |last=Agricola |author-link=Mikael Agricola |title=3.&nbsp;Alcupuhe Psaltarin päle, 1551. Otteita esipuheen runomuotoisesta loppuosasta |section=3. B. Selostus suomalaisten vanhoista epäjumalista |website=vvks.info |section-url=http://www.vvks.info/tekstit/1500_1_agricola/3b/index.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2012-07-18 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218074555/http://www.vvks.info/tekstit/1500_1_agricola/3b/index.html |archive-date=2013-02-18 }}</ref>

==Eponymy==
A number of [[toponyms]] in Finland and surrounding regions contain some form of the name Ukko.
{{Expand section|date=July 2012}}

===Finland===
*{{lang|fi|[[Koli, Finland|Ukko-Koli]]}}, {{lang|fi|[[Lieksa]]}}, [[Northern Karelia]]
*{{lang|fi|[[Ukonkivi]]}}, [[Lake Inari]], [[Finnish Lapland]]
*{{lang|fi|[[Ukonvuori]]}}, {{lang|fi|[[Enonkoski]]}}, [[Southern Savonia]]
*{{lang|fi|[[Ukonvuori]]}}, {{lang|fi|[[Konnevesi]]}}, [[Central Finland]]

==Modern influence==
[[The Weather Channel]] list of winter storms for 2012 list {{lang|fi|Ukko|italic=unset}} as one of the alphabetic names they used.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why we name winter storms |date=2012-10-01 |df=dmy-all |website=[[The Weather Channel]] (weather.com) |url=http://www.weather.com/news/why-we-name-winter-storms-20121001 |access-date=2013-02-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210223956/http://www.weather.com/news/why-we-name-winter-storms-20121001 |archive-date=2013-02-10 }}</ref>

==Footnotes==
{{notelist}}

==See also==
{{div col begin|colwidth=12em}}
* [[Animism]]
* [[Finnish paganism]]
* {{lang|fi|[[Jumala]]}}
* {{lang|fi|[[Perkele]]}}
* [[Sky deity]]
* {{lang|et|[[Tharapita|Taara]]}}
* [[2020 Ukko]] (asteroid)
{{div col end}}
* {{lang|fi|[[Suomenusko]]}} (Finnish Faith) or {{Lang|fi|Ukonusko}} (Faith of Ukko), the Finnish [[polytheistic reconstructionist]] movement

==References==
{{reflist|25em}}

{{Kalevala}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Estonian gods]]
[[Category:Finnish gods]]
[[Category:Baltic gods]]
[[Category:Sky and weather gods]]
[[Category:Agricultural gods]]
[[Category:Thunder gods]]
[[Category:Characters in the Kalevala]]