Which Estonian mythological creature are you?

[higgins]

Apparently this quiz is sort of going viral amidst the locals. And it's pretty well done. I like how it showcases the how low key and nature based our native mythology is. You won't find any hydras here.

Turns out that I'm Murumemm, aka the Mother of Meadows. A socialite, of all things. Who would have thought?

Take the quiz here: http://www.visitestonia.com/en/estonian-myth-quiz/

[EinBein]

I'm Hiid. Never heard of him before though

But you got me interested and there are some cool freaks amongst those creatures. I like Soovana and Metsik as well.

[thirtythr33]

Apparently I am a Näkk.

The image association thing is interesting, rather than the usual questionnaire.

[Korbel]

OK, I'm Murumemm, too.

[nemedeus]

Allikaravitseja

You are the elven-like charmer. Everyone admires how graceful and delicate you are. A fact you are well aware of, and yet you only open yourself up to those who deserve it.

What. I'm meek, not graceful. Big difference.

At the very least the quiz makes more sense than others like that ("are you like a dwarf or an elf?" *clicks dwarf* "CONGRATS YOUR A DWARFO")

[Marras]

Kivialune!

[higgins]

It's so weird seeing you guys use Estonian words!

I'm attempting to give you some literal translations for these. And I've also hyperlinked the names as well for easier exploring.

Murumemm

Lawn-nan would be the literal translation. This one is hard to bring over. Mother of Meadows is way more poetic and sounds right.

An utterly benevolent nature spirit. Wife of Metsaisa (Father of the Woods). They have eternally young daughters that play and laugh all night... and love to bathe in the summer moon light. They're also benevolent, unless you go and peek their bathing, in which case they'll make you deaf or blind. It's possible to take one for a wife if you manage to catch one, but a man can't find happiness with them. She will always return to her sisters sooner or later. Seeing them can also be sort of a curse, as they're so beautiful and create agonizing longing.

Hiid

Hiid is one the words for a Giant. Our national epic Kalevipoeg (Son-of-Kalev) has a giant for a main character. And both of our great isles have a famous giant that originates from their soil. In fact, our second largest isle is called Hiiumaa -- An Isle of Giants.

Alternatively, it's also our word for a Jötunn.

Soovana and Metsik

I'd translate these as the Old Man of the Bog and The Wild One.

Oddly, "vana" means just "old" with no gender implied, but when used in such a compound word, I don't think it would be conceivable for any Estonian to imagine anything other than a male. As the word "vana" can be appended to basically any noun and still make sense Old Man of the X is pretty common in our stories. Vetevana (Old Man of the Waters) usually grants wishes, but unlike a genie or a gold fish, tends to have a temper and a sense of poetic justice.

Näkk

Our word for a Mermaid. The translation doesn't make much sense for the "mer" part, as our native mythology doesn't associate them with sea, but with bogs and lakes instead. However in modern use, it can also stand for the literal mermaids from the sea (although we have the word "merineitsi" for the more benevolent mermaids as well).

Näkk can also be male. The male ones usually turn into horses, and when a maid or a child goes to ride on them, they drag them to the water.

Allikaravitseja

The Spring Healer. As in a water spring. I'm drawing a blank on this one, so, I can't comment on it.

Kivialune!

Under-the-Rock. That one's completely new for me as well. It could be that they they mean a rock spirit to whom ancient Estonians brought sacrifices to. The large sacrificial rocks often had naturally formed bowls on them as a spot to place the offering.

[Benedict]

Turns out I'm Hiid too.

Hiid is one the words for a Giant. Our national epic Kalevipoeg (Son-of-Kalev) has a giant for a main character. And both of our great isles have a famous giant that originates from their soil. In fact, our second largest isle is called Hiiumaa -- An Isle of Giants.

Alternatively, it's also our word for a Jötunn.

Really like the way you depict your mythical giants. Nothing like what we are used to by popular fiction. Or what I'm used to from my homeland myths (I'm Greek btw).

You are a powerful and mighty spirit. Strong and steadfast like a mountain. A natural communicator, always seeking someone to talk to, you are truly happiest being in the center of attention, just like Hiid.

Interesting fact. The word "giant" originates from the greek word "gigantas". Some info on them can be found here. Although Hiid and Jotun the way I see them are closer to our Greek titans.

[dysjunct]

I also got Murumemm.

Estonian cultural lesson by Higgins: 5/5, would like to see more.

[Agamemnon]

The stars are singing that you are
Metsik
You are an adorable elven-like creature! You have a natural love and keenness for nature, just like Metsik - the protector of forests, always enjoying the company of forest creatures.

Apparently, I'm a Metsik.

I am not at all an adorable elven-like creature. I also don't think I necessarily have a natural love and keenness for nature. The funny bit to me is that all of the pictures I chose were either stormy/rainy/quiet/out of the way. In hindsight, I wonder if they were clues to some sort of latent depression on my end. haha..

We learn something new every day.

[Marras]

It's so weird seeing you guys use Estonian words!

I'm attempting to give you some literal translations for these. And I've also hyperlinked the names as well for easier exploring.

Hiid is one the words for a Giant. Our national epic Kalevipoeg (Son-of-Kalev) has a giant for a main character. And both of our great isles have a famous giant that originates from their soil. In fact, our second largest isle is called Hiiumaa -- An Isle of Giants.

I don't intend to hijack this thread but since some of the names are quite close to Finnish version, I'd like to comment, if that's ok.

I think the closest in Finnish is hiisi although it doesn't necessarily mean a giant (that would be jättiläinen).

Näkk

Our word for a Mermaid. The translation doesn't make much sense for the "mer" part, as our native mythology doesn't associate them with sea, but with bogs and lakes instead. However in modern use, it can also stand for the literal mermaids from the sea (although we have the word "merineitsi" for the more benevolent mermaids as well).

Näkk can also be male. The male ones usually turn into horses, and when a maid or a child goes to ride on them, they drag them to the water.

In finnish mythology Näkk (or Näkki in Finnish) is the god of water (male) while merineitsi is merenneito

Kivialune!

Under-the-Rock. That one's completely new for me as well. It could be that they they mean a rock spirit to whom ancient Estonians brought sacrifices to. The large sacrificial rocks often had naturally formed bowls on them as a spot to place the offering.

I don't remember here being direct equivalent but those, sometimes quite deep, naturally formed bowls in the rock are called hiidenkirnu, possibly something to do with hiid above.

Thanks for the link and descriptions, Higgins! It's so great to learn about Estonian mythology especially as it so closely matches our mythology.