Mythical Creatures in Writing, Part VI.
Beautiful and tricky creatures that all men should handle with care, or risk sever punishment. Isn’t it always the way – what lures you is usually the most dangerous. The huldra has appeared in several stories by well-known authors, but there is something so dark and tempting about this creature, that I’m surprised there haven’t been more stories about them.
Huldra
What is it?
Huldra is a seductive forest spirit from Norse mythology that has been known to offer rewards to those who satisfy them sexually and death to those who fail to do so. It is said the huldra are a type of troll, but much smaller.
Ability / Power
These longhaired blonde beauties lure men into the woods by their lovely singing and appearance to do their bidding or simply as mates or pets. If betrayed, the huldra are known to punish their victims severely. Ouch, you don’t want to upset this gal.
She is prone to stealing human babies and replaces them with her own child (a huldrebarn).
If she decides to marry a human man, the huldra can no longer keep her identity secret because during the marriage ceremony when a priest blesses her, the glamour leaves her revealing who she really is. Some sources say she looses her tail if she enters a church or is blessed, but her nature remains and if the man mistreates her, she will turn incredibly ugly and the man will suffer. I’d suggest guys simply stick away from this girl – it does not turn out pretty for you.
Physical Appearance
From the front, the huldra is a beautiful young woman but also has a cow’s tale and whose back appears to be like a hollowed out tree. Most men would most likely run away once they caught sight of the tail. In Sweden, the huldra is said to have the tail of a fox, which has to be better than a cow’s tail.
In Fiction
– Neil Gaiman‘s short story “Monarch of the Glen: An American Gods Novella” features a huldra as a main character.
– A recent Norwegian movie, Thale, revolves around a huldra. I can’t wait to get my hands on this – it looks scary good.
– In Frank Beddor’s book Seeing Redd, it briefly mentions how as Queen Redd traveled throughout the world to build an Army she was thought of in one country as being part Troll and Part Huldra.
– George MacDonald‘s book Phantastes includes a huldra-like monster, although she is never named as such, who lures the hero into her tree and entraps him so that the evil Oak can catch him. She is described as being very beautiful, but made of hollow wood from the back.
– The European 2009 hit “Fairytale“, by Alexander Rybak, was inspired by the huldra.
– The music video for danish artist Ste van Holm‘s song ‘Cloudberries’ features Huldra roaming the Swedish forests.
– In The Orphan’s Tales: In the Cities of Coin and Spice by Catherynne M. Valente, a character named Oubliette is a huldra.
– In Mercedes Lackey‘s novel The Snow Queen the characters Annukka and Kaari meet a group of “soulless ones” in the woods who are beautiful women with hollow backs who seduce men and kill them, resembling the huldra.
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Did you know? A male version of a huldra is called a huldu.
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Sources:
Mythical Creatures & Beasts Wiki
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Previous Mythical Creature Posts:
Marchosias: A Kick-Ass Creature, Ningyo: The Deadly Mermaid, Abatwa: Riding Ants To Victory, Cait Sith: It Gets Into Your Mind, Anka: The Goliath Bird
Thank you so much! This is very helpful info for my light novel
Thanks I to love anything mythical like this its so interesting, I also like reading up on shamanism (animal symbolism) Iv’e seen and had a dream about fox lately
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Thale was such a good movie. I loved it. I only wanted to learn more about Huldra creatures and I ended up watching the movie after seeing the other comment on it.
[…] Huldra, more on the Huldra (spirit of the forest in Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore. In Norwegian folklore, they are called skogsfru) […]
i just watched the movie Thale it is available on Netflix and although I am not much for subtitles or what would be called horror this is a good movie, it may be because there is not a lot off blood or gore its absolutely not American made and for that I say thank you, well done.
[…] of this is the film’s subject matter: a mythical Norwegian creature known as a “huldra,” in this case, one named Thale (pronounced “TELL-uh”). Although her mysterious and […]
Hello,
I am writing a contemporary paranormal romance about a huldra who lives in today’s society and is about to be welcomed into the huldra dynasty. Thanks for the information! I’ve also written a historical fantasy romance novel based in Norse mythology if you want to check it out.
http//norsevikingsaga.com I’d love feedback on it as the story is finished, just not 100% edited (though I think it’s 95% ready)
Thanks!
Evelyn
hi Evelyn with the name of your book happened to be wraith song? I’m about halfway through it now. Good so far!
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thanks for the info I’m writing a paranormal romance with norse mythology in it and info about this deceptively beautiful creature helps out greatly thanks a lot!
Interesting beasty. It’s fun researching all that mythology.
Totally… I love the ideas and inspiration you get from mythology and historical research.
Eeerie. And not just the Huldra. I have an idea swimming in my head and the Huldra fits right in there. I can’t divulge more at this time. 😉
Now I’m curious… want to know more.