Origin of Raven

The scoundrelly raven, Lempo’s bird,
the most disgusting bird of air was born on a charcoal hill,
was reared on a coaly heath, was gathered from burning brands,
was bred from charcoal sticks, of potsherds its head was made,
its breastbone from Lempo’s spinning wheel.

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The raven has been seen as both good and evil in Finnish folklore. In ancient tradition the raven is the bird of solace and longing. People would ask for it to take their worries and sorrows away and carry them into fishless ponds where the thoughts would no longer trouble anyone.

Later on there was a shift in the mythology and the raven got its darker tones. The raven became known as the bird of Lempo, a demonic figure in Finnish mythology. Ravens were messengers between the land of the living and the land of the dead. They also knew and could predict people’s fates. It was believed that the raven could live for hundreds of years, making it wise and knowledgeable. Shamans would often call ravens for their aid or transform into one.

Painted in ink, white poster color and gold medium on 300 g/sqm Lanaquarelle 100% cotton hot press watercolour paper. The painting is unframed.