The Kalevala · Chapter
Rune XLIX: Restoration of the Sun and Moon explained
The Sun and Moon have been stolen by Louhi, leaving Kalevala in cold and darkness.
What happens
The Sun and Moon have been stolen by Louhi, leaving Kalevala in cold and darkness. Ilmarinen attempts to forge new celestial bodies but fails. Wainamoinen uses divination to learn that the Sun and Moon are hidden in a mountain in Pohyola. He travels to Northland but cannot open the cavern. Lemminkainen boasts he could have helped. Wainamoinen then commissions Ilmarinen to forge tools to break into the cavern. Louhi, disguised as an eagle, spies on them and, fearing capture, releases the Sun and Moon. They return to the sky, bringing light and joy back to Kalevala.
Themes in this chapter
Power of Song and Magic
Wainamoinen uses divination with alder chips and his magical songs to locate the hidden Sun and Moon, demonstrating the central role of magic in the epic.
Conflict Between North and South
The theft of the Sun and Moon by Louhi of Pohyola and the subsequent quest to recover them highlights the ongoing rivalry between Kalevala and Northland.
Craftsmanship and Creation
Ilmarinen's attempt to forge new Sun and Moon, and later his forging of tools to break into the cavern, underscore the importance of craftsmanship in the epic.
Characters to notice
- Wainamoinen
The wise old magician who discovers the location of the hidden Sun and Moon, attempts to free them, and ultimately orchestrates their return.
- Ilmarinen
The blacksmith who first tries to forge new Sun and Moon, then later forges tools for Wainamoinen to break into the cavern.
- Louhi
The toothless witch of Pohyola who stole the Sun and Moon and hid them in a mountain; she releases them when threatened.
- Lemminkainen
The reckless hero who boasts he could have helped Wainamoinen break into the cavern.
Key passages
“Cannot live without the moonlight, Nor without the silver sunshine!”
The people of Kalevala are suffering greatly from the lack of sunlight and moonlight.
This line emphasizes the dire consequences of the theft of the celestial bodies.
“Silver will not gleam as sunshine, Not of gold is born the moonlight!”
Wainamoinen tells Ilmarinen that his forged Sun and Moon will never truly shine like the real ones.
This highlights the theme that true light cannot be artificially created.
“Empty words will break no portals, Draw no bolts of any moment; Locks and bolts are never broken With the words of little wisdom!”
Wainamoinen dismisses Lemminkainen's boast, saying that mere words cannot open the cavern.
This underscores the need for practical action and magical skill over empty bravado.