Tuulikki (spirit)
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Kainuu: Annikki
Karelia: Ainikki, Annatar, Anni, Ańńi, Annikki, Ańnikki, Aunikki, Lumikki, Mielineiti, Mielineito, Myyrikki, Ristikko, Taińikki, Tuurikki, Tynikki, Tyylikki, Tyynikki, Tyyri, Tyytikko
Ostrobothnia: Annikki, Tyytikki
Savo: Annikki
| Tuulikki | |
|---|---|
Daughter of Tapio Mother of Squirrels[1] | |
| Other names | Ingria: Annikka, Tulikka Kainuu: Annikki Karelia: Ainikki, Annatar, Anni, Ańńi, Annikki, Ańnikki, Aunikki, Lumikki, Mielineiti, Mielineito, Myyrikki, Ristikko, Taińikki, Tuurikki, Tynikki, Tyylikki, Tyynikki, Tyyri, Tyytikko Ostrobothnia: Annikki, Tyytikki Savo: Annikki |
| Gender | Female |
| Ethnic group | Finns, Karelians |
| Genealogy | |
| Parents | |
Tuulikki is a forest haltija in Finnish mythology. She is called a daughter of Tapio. The variations of her name include Annikki (influenced by Saint Anne) and Tyytikki, the latter being called the mother of squirrels.[1] She's also been connected to Karelian Lyylikki, "smith of skis" (lylyjen seppä).[2]
Beautiful Tuulikki, daughter of Tapio, was sitting on a rainbow in the sky. Väinämöinen arrived to propose to her but she said he needs to prove to her that he is a hero. She asked him to do impossible tasks, which he clears, but when he is asked to carve out a boat without hitting a rock with an axe, he ends up wounding himself in the toe, causing it to bleed.[3]
In hunting spells, she is asked to help in hunting with words similar to what is asked from Mielikki and Tellervo.[4]
Tapio's daughter or maiden is also called Tuometar (lit. 'Lady bird cherry') in runic songs. This name appears in Kainuu, Lapland, Norrbotten, North Karelia, North Ostrobothnia, North Savo and White Karelia, mainly in bear-related songs. She is sometimes called a mother (or one of them) of the bear.[5] She has been considered a tree haltija, protector of the bird cherry,[6] while Martti Haavio believed Tuometar is actually a synonym for Hongatar.[7] Another name for Tuometar has been Kataatar, after Saint Catherine.[8] A Western Finnish cattle song also asks Tuomen piika, metsän neitsyt (Maid of the bird cherry, maiden of the forest) to look after cattle.[9]