A Bleeding Sky

SUMMARY: The aurora borealis, or northern lights, is the most puzzling and myth-inspiring of all celestial phenomena. These majestic lights, often called "nature's most beautiful display," reveal processes in the upper atmosphere that humans have feared and admired for thousands of years. The northern lights present a continuing intellectual challenge, and their scientific study has promoted international cooperation. The story is all the more fascinating because it punctuates historical records. Classical Greek and ancient Chinese literature, and even several passages in the Old World Testament  contain references to what can only be auroral phenomena.
                       In the documents of Viking legend, auroras were Bifrost, the heavenly bridge between earth and Asgard, the seat of the gods. Bifrost, it was believed, would collapse at Ragnarock at the end of the world. The trembling, sparkling colors of auroral arcs were a reminder of this mighty bridge. Today many Norwegians experience the aurora borealis as part of their cultural heritage and as a source of philosophical and artistic inspiration. For myself, it also forms a bridge between science and the humanities.
                       In most folk traditions, the aurora has been regarded with fear. Eskimos took children inside when it appeared, believing it wanted their heads for use as balls. In Finnmarks-Vidda it was believed that the northern lights would oscillate rapidly if a child mocked them and would finally descend and take his life. Children were taught to fear that the lights might sweep and tear their eyes out. People were admonished not to cut their hair beneath the flames of the northern lights. Icelanders believed that if a pregnant woman gazed at the aurora, the child she carried would be cross-eyed.
                       Many Scandinavians felt that the northern lights would crackle and sparkle even more brightly if someone waved a white sheet or piece of clothing. People in the Nordic countries have childhood memories of waving pieces of white cloth at the play of lights. Some remember thinking that the aurora's movements increased vigorously as they waved. Chanting was also believed to induce auroral sound, and many people claimed that whistling could agitate or increase auroral movements. It was said that if one heard a rustling noise--which is sometimes reported--then contact with the auroral deity had been made. The common Lapp name for the northern lights is "guovsahas," which means "audible light," and the aurora was used as a symbol on the Lapps' magic drums.

ANALYSIS: The aurora borealis, or northern lights, is the most puzzling and myth-inspiring of all celestial phenomena. These majestic lights, often called 'nature's most beautiful display,' reveal processes in the upper atmosphere that humans have feared and admired for thousands of years. The northern lights present a continuing intellectual challenge, and their scientific study has promoted international cooperation. The story is all the more fascinating because it punctuates historical records. Classical Greek and ancient Chinese literature, and even several passages in the Old World Testament (e.g., Ezekiel 1, Jeremiah 1:13), contain references to what can only be auroral phenomena. The story of the aurora also illustrates science's evolving role in civilization and daily life....Diverse interpretations of the northern lights have been offered over the centuries. In many respects, such beliefs reflect the culture of the observing group. This article summarizes some cultural responses to the phenomenon."

REFLECTION QUESTION: If you were to see the northern lights and not know what they were, how would you react?

CITATION:

Egeland, Alv. "Northern Dawn: Auroras Inspire Folk Mythology." World & I. Nov. 2000: 167-173. SIRS Renaissance. Web. 15 Apr 2012.