The Finnish word for the aurora is “Revontulet.“
The word is a compound: “Revon” means “of the fox,” stemming from the old word repo (fox), and “tulet” means “fires,” the plural form of tuli (fire).
Translated literally, Revontulet means “Fox Fires.”
You might hear that this name is derived from the legends of the Sámi, the indigenous people of the Nordic region, and naturally, you’d be inclined to agree.
However, I couldn’t accept that simple explanation, and here’s why.
Why the Aurora Is Called “Fox Fire”？
The Finnish Tourist Board (Japanese account) often introduces the aurora’s folklore as follows:
サーミの伝説によれば、オーロラは、キツネが北極圏の丘を走るとき、尻尾が雪原に触れ、それが火花となって巻き上がり、夜空に光となって現れるのだとのこと。オーロラがフィンランド語で、「狐火」を意味するレヴォントゥレット（revontulet）と呼ばれのは、そんな伝説に由来しています。
— フィンランド政府観光局 (@visitfinlandjp) December 26, 2015
サーミの伝説によれば、オーロラは、キツネが北極圏の丘を走るとき、尻尾が雪原に触れ、それが火花となって巻き上がり、夜空に光となって現れるのだとのこと。オーロラがフィンランド語で、「狐火」を意味するレヴォントゥレット（revontulet）と呼ばれのは、そんな伝説に由来しています。
（According to Sámi legend, the aurora appears as a light in the night sky when a fox runs across the Arctic hills, and its tail touches the snow, causing sparks to fly up and become the light. The aurora is called Revontulet (“Fox Fire”) in Finnish, which is derived from this legend. — Visit Finland (@visitfinlandjp) December 26, 2015）
It’s easy to listen to this tale and simply say, “Aha, I see.”
The idea of a fox’s tail creating sparks—what a fantastic image! It’s a very romantic and lovely scene to imagine these sparks rising into the sky to become the aurora.
The story itself is fine, if it’s introduced as a Finnish legend.
However, the attribution to “Sámi legend” is what raised my suspicion.
The word Revontulet (“Fox Fires”) is based on a tradition where sparks caused by a fox turn into the aurora.
The Fox vs. The Bird: A Sámi Language Clue
In the Northern Sámi language, the aurora is called:
【Singular】“guovssu”
【Plural】“guovssahasat”
Interestingly, this word also refers to the Siberian Jay (Perisoreus infaustus), a crow-like bird.
It is thought that the word is used because the red color of the bird’s feathers or its quick, erratic movements resemble the aurora.
So, here’s the first question mark: the Sámi language uses a bird, not a fox!
This strongly suggests that, at least linguistically, the aurora for the Sámi is not the “fire caused by a fox.”
The Sámi word for aurora (guovssu/guovssahasat) does not contain the meaning of “fox.”
The True Origin of the “Fox Fire” Legend
So, if the legend isn’t Sámi, where did the “Fox Fire” tradition come from?
According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the origin may lie in the Old Testament references to the fiery sea monster Leviathan or the fire-sparking Behemoth.
In the folklore of Southern Savonia (Finland) and Estonia, there is a tale that the aurora, seen as fire burning in the sky, is actually the reflection of the sun on the scales of the Leviathan, which causes a disturbance in the Arctic Sea.
The story suggests that the powerful mythical beast, the Leviathan, was replaced by the more familiar animal, the fox, during the transmission of the tale.
This makes the origin not just a Finnish tradition, but one that is surprisingly derived from Judeo-Christian sources!
Furthermore, the Finnish word for fox, revo, is thought to come from the Swedish word räv, suggesting a Germanic language influence.
This indicates that both the word and the legend originated from the south, not from the Sámi.
The fox that causes the fire is likely derived from the Leviathan or Behemoth in the Old Testament, and is not a Sámi tradition.
Sámi Mythology: The Souls of the Departed
So, what is the actual Sámi tradition?
Many Northern cultures have linked the aurora to the souls of the dead.
According to Lapland.fi, the Northern Sámi believed the Siberian Jay (guovssu) was the bird that housed the soul of a hunter. Killing the bird would bring misfortune to the hunter. The aurora, sharing the same name, was also tied to the concept of the soul.
In Skolt Sámi tradition, the aurora is believed to be the blood of a murdered person flowing in the afterlife.
Additionally, some Sámi legends warn that if you whistle or wave at the aurora and attract its attention, it will cut off your head! (Similar tales exist in North America about whistling at the Northern Lights).
Contrary to the modern, happy image of the aurora, many legends across the Arctic suggest it was often seen as a phenomenon caused by the deceased or a bad omen:
| Region | Folklore |
| Greenland Inuit | Stillborn children playing with a walrus skull. |
| America Siberia Indigenous | Deceased ancestors riding horses or playing in the sky. |
| (North) America Mandan Tribe | The flames from a giant pot used to heat a conquered enemy tribe. |
| Old Norse | A sign of God’s anger. |
| Viking | The reflection of the goddess Valkyrie’s shield |
| Denmark | The reflection of the ice that has trapped flocks of swans that flew north. |
| Russia | A fiery dragon seducing women while their husbands were away. |
| Scotland | A precursor of bad weather (a storm or other calamity). |
In Sámi tradition, the aurora was considered an entity that housed the souls of the dead and was treated with great caution.
The Other Surprising Truth: The Sound of the Aurora
Here is another interesting fact.
The Sámi word guovssu is sometimes translated as “light that can be heard.”
The sound is described as crackling, whizzing, or rustling. Remarkably, there are even records of this sound being heard in Japan during past aurora sightings!
For a long time, scientists denied that sound could be heard from the aurora because it occurs over 100 km above the ground, making it impossible for the sound to travel to Earth. Conventional wisdom suggested that people were mistaking the rustling of vegetation or the wind for the aurora’s sound.
However, in 2012, by triangulating the direction from which multiple people heard the sound, scientists proved that it originates about 70 meters above the ground—much higher than the treetops（National Geographic）.
Furthermore, in 2016, it was confirmed that this sound occurs at an altitude of about 75 meters.
The sound is caused when the Sun’s activity is very strong, causing a massive discharge of electricity from an inversion layer (a layer of air) 75 meters high, which acts as a lid over built-up static electricity.
It is important to note that the aurora itself is not directly making the sound. However, since the phenomenon only occurs when the aurora is strong, calling it “the sound of the aurora” is close enough for most people.
It’s quite satisfying when an old wives’ tale or ancient tradition is proven right by modern science!
- The Sámi word guovssu is sometimes translated as “light that can be heard.”
- The existence of an aurora-related sound has recently been scientifically proven.
“guovssahas”
Summary
This article explored the surprising origins of the Finnish word Revontulet, the meaning of the aurora in Sámi tradition, and the scientific discovery of the aurora’s sound.
- “Revontulet” (Fox Fires) Legend:
Likely inspired by the Leviathan/Behemoth in the Old Testament, not Sámi folklore. - Sámi Aurora Tradition
- A phenomenon embodying the souls of the departed, sharing a name with the Siberian Jay.
- “Light that can be heard”
→Scientifically proven that sounds can be heard near the ground during intense aurora activity.
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Complete Aurora Borealis Guide
参考文献
- 『一生に一度は見たい絶景の楽しみ方 オーロラ・ウォッチングガイド』赤祖父俊一 監修 2018 誠文堂新光社
- 『オーロラ・ウォッチング オーロラに会いにいこう』上出洋介 監修 2005 誠文堂新光社
- 『オーロラ 世界で一番美しい光』Pál Brekke 2015 山と渓谷社
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