The Kalevala · Chapter
Birth of the Harp explained
Wainamoinen steers his vessel to Pohyola, but it becomes stuck on the back of a giant pike.
What happens
Wainamoinen steers his vessel to Pohyola, but it becomes stuck on the back of a giant pike. After Lemminkainen and Ilmarinen fail to free it, Wainamoinen kills the pike with his fire-sword. From the pike's bones, he crafts a magical harp. When others cannot play it harmoniously, the harp declares it will only sing for its creator, Wainamoinen.
Themes in this chapter
Power of Song and Magic
The harp is a magical instrument that only responds to its creator, Wainamoinen, emphasizing the theme of song as a source of power and harmony.
Craftsmanship and Creation
Wainamoinen transforms the pike's bones into a beautiful harp, showcasing the theme of creation from natural materials.
Characters to notice
- Wainamoinen
Steers the vessel, kills the giant pike, and crafts the magical harp from its bones.
- Lemminkainen
Attempts to free the vessel and later tries to play the harp, but fails to produce concord.
- Ilmarinen
Helps Lemminkainen and tries to slay the pike with his sword, but breaks it.
- Louhi
Tries to play the harp in Pohyola, but produces only dissonance.
Key passages
“Wainamoinen, old and trusty, Spake these words to Lemminkainen: 'Many things we find in water, Rocks, and trees, and fish, and sea-duck; Are we on the pike's broad shoulders, On the fin-bones of the monster, Pierce the waters with thy broadsword, Cut the monster into pieces.'”
Wainamoinen tells Lemminkainen that many objects can be found in water, and instructs him to cut the pike with his sword.
Wainamoinen identifies the obstruction as a giant pike and directs Lemminkainen to attack it.
“Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, Looked upon the pile of fragments, On the fish-bones looked and pondered, Spake these words in meditation: 'Wondrous things might be constructed From the relics of this monster, Were they in the blacksmith's furnace, In the hands of the magician, In the hands of Ilmarinen.'”
Wainamoinen reflects on the fish bones and suggests that a skilled blacksmith or magician could create something wonderful from them.
Wainamoinen contemplates the potential of the pike's bones for crafting.
“Thus was born the harp of magic From the mighty pike of Northland, From the relics from the feasting Of the heroes of Wainola.”
The magical harp was created from the remains of the great pike, after the heroes had feasted on its flesh.
The harp's origin is directly tied to the pike and the feast.