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Tapio (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈtɑpio]) is a Finnish forest spirit or god in Finnish mythology.[1] Hunters prayed to him before a hunt. His wife is the goddess of the forest, Mielikki. He is the father of Annikki, Tellervo, Nyyrikki (the god of hunting), and Tuulikki. Fitting the Green Man archetype, Tapio has a beard of lichen and eyebrows of moss.[2]

Mikael Agricola mentions Tapio as a Tavastian god in the prologue to his Finnish translation of the Book of Psalms, Dauidin Psalttari [fi].

He lends his name, in the form of Tapiola, to:

He has appeared various times in songs by Finnish metal bands. For example, in the symphonic metal band Nightwish's song, "Elvenpath", he is referred to as "Tapio, Bear-king, Ruler of the forest".[3] The name has also been used extensively by the folk metal band Korpiklaani'.

Jean Sibelius' tone poem Tapiola (1926) is a depiction of the forest Tapio inhabits.

References

  1. ^ "Britannica". britannica.com. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  2. ^ Ragg, Margherita (24 February 2015). "A Magical Night of Finnish Myths in Finland". thefairytaletraveler.com. TRAVEL MEDIA SOLUTIONS, LLC DBA THE FAIRYTALE TRAVELER. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Elvenpath - Song Lyrics :||: NIGHTWISH OFFICIAL WEBSITE".
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