The most famous and popular characters of northern - Scandinavian - folklore are trolls. They can be found in fairy tales and science fiction novels, in TV series and films. However, Scandinavian folklore is rich in other, no less expressive and interesting creatures.
The so-called evil spirits in Scandinavian folklore are creatures that have a close connection with nature. Sometimes they are also called natural spirits and inhabitants of the underground worlds. As a rule, such characters are endowed with some human traits. In ancient times, people believed that evil spirits lived closer to farms and villages, therefore it was not difficult to meet one of these creatures at a later time of day. A distinctive feature of such folklore characters is that they have a very harmful character and a peculiar sense of humor. They are quite willing to make contact with people, however, not only for the sake of communication or profit, but also with the aim of somehow playing a trick on a person.
Among the variety of evil spirits in northern folklore, three interesting characters can be distinguished, about which few have heard and know.
Gruvereau
Gruvraud is a mine nymph and a mountain maiden. She rules over mines, can help workers find new reserves of mining ore. Gruvraud often appeared in front of the miners to warn of any dangerous events, for example, to warn of accidents in the mountains.
To appease the nymph, to win her over, people left gifts. Silver jewelry, expensive fabrics, and elaborate outfits, such as dresses, were held in high esteem.
The mountain maiden usually treated people like guests, but if she was in a bad mood and appeared in front of the miners, then this promised problems in her work. If Gruvraud was wearing a black or dark gray dress, then this was regarded as a message about the imminent death of one of the people in the mountains.
Gruvraud guards its territories very jealously. She considers some mountains and ore deposits to be her wealth, therefore she will do everything just to keep people away from them. The nymph does not like noise, because in the mines it was forbidden to shout and throw stones, otherwise it could cause the anger of the creature.
The mountain maiden is most often depicted as a tall, very thin and pale woman with large dark eyes. She is considered frivolous and capricious, prone to loneliness.
Hawsfru
Hawsfru is a sea nymph. Sometimes in legends and fairy tales she is also called a mermaid. You can meet a nymph on the high seas. Moreover, she is both fishermen and seafarers. It is believed that if Hawsfru, appearing in front of a person, offers him to redeem fish or the goods on board the ship, one should not refuse. Otherwise, you can anger the creature, which will lead to a storm and the sinking of the ship.
Usually Hawsfru appears in front of people in the form of a very attractive young girl. She has long curly hair and piercing eyes. Most often, small gills and fins give out evil spirits, however, if desired, Hawsfru can take almost any guise. Sometimes she turns into a seagull or a seal, sometimes - a fish.
The creature lives in a huge, resplendent palace that stands at the bottom of the sea. It is believed that in good weather you can see this palace if the sea is calm.
Quarngubbe
Quarngubbe is a mill spirit. He is very short and usually wears a red cap or red cap. Despite the fact that in northern folklore the creature is called a spirit, Kvarngubbe was created, so to speak, from flesh and blood. Usually he appears in front of people in the form of an old man who can have a very long and sharp nose, as well as a thick gray beard. However, in some northern regions, the mill spirit may bear a different name and appear as a dangerous creature living in river water, which can take any form.
Quarngubbe usually lived in watermills and was distinguished by a rather capricious character. If the spirit was treated with respect, he could help at the mill, but more often Quarngubbe showed harm. He could deliberately hold a mill wheel, tear apart sacks of flour, block river water. Most often, a bad mood in a creature manifests itself in the evening hours, when it wants silence. Therefore, in the old days, people tried to finish the work before the sun began to tilt towards the horizon.
To buy off Quarngubbe or cheer up, you could put a silver coin near the mill wheel or leave chewing tobacco. In addition, Quarngubbe was grateful for such offerings as milk, porridge, mead.
Despite its capricious nature, the spirit of the mill does not tolerate loneliness and willingly comes into contact with people. He does not like to talk a lot, but he loves to play the violin, and is ready to demonstrate his skills to grateful listeners.
