# Rune XLVII: Louhi Steals Sun, Moon, and Fire explained — The Kalevala

> Chapter companion for The Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot.

## What happens

Louhi, the toothless wizard of Pohyola, captures the Sun and Moon, hiding them in a mountain, and steals fire from Kalevala, plunging the land into darkness. Ukko creates new fire, but it escapes and falls to earth, causing destruction. Wainamoinen and Ilmarinen set out to find the fire, learning from Ilmatar that it was swallowed by a series of fish. They weave a net to catch the fire-fish but initially fail.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power of Song and Magic

Wainamoinen's harp-playing draws the Moon and Sun down from the sky, demonstrating the magical power of music.

### Conflict Between North and South

Louhi's theft of light and fire from Kalevala (south) by Pohyola (north) escalates the ongoing rivalry.

### Nature and the Landscape

The darkening of the land, the boiling of the Alue-sea, and the fish's habitats emphasize the natural world's response to the stolen fire.

## Character check-ins

### Wainamoinen

Ancient minstrel who sings and plays the harp, then journeys with Ilmarinen to recover the stolen fire.

### Ilmarinen

Blacksmith brother who aids Wainamoinen in building a boat and weaving a net to catch the fire-fish.

### Louhi

Hostess of Pohyola who steals the Sun, Moon, and fire, causing darkness in Kalevala.

### Ukko

Creator who walks the heavens, strikes lightning, and creates new fire to replace the stolen light.

### Ilmatar

Ether-daughter who meets Wainamoinen and Ilmarinen, recounting the fire's journey and its swallowing by fish.

## Key lines

> Louhi, hostess of Pohyola, Northland's old and toothless wizard, Makes the Sun and Moon her captives; In her arms she takes fair Luna From her cradle in the birch-tree, Calls the Sun down from his station, From the fir-tree's bending branches, Carries them to upper Northland, To the darksome Sariola; Hides the Moon, no more to glimmer, In a rock of many colors; Hides the Sun, to shine no longer, In the iron-banded mountain;

Louhi, the ancient witch of the North, captures the Sun and Moon, taking them from the trees and hiding them in a mountain, causing darkness.

_Key event of the chapter: Louhi's theft of celestial bodies._

> Ukko, first of all creators, Lived in wonder at the darkness; Long reflected, well considered, Why this miracle in heaven, What this accident in nature To the Moon upon her journey; Why the Sun no more is shining, Why has disappeared the moonlight.

Ukko, the supreme god, was puzzled by the sudden darkness and wondered why the Sun and Moon had vanished.

_Ukko's reaction to the theft._

> Then the ancient Wainamoinen Spake and these the words he uttered: 'Blacksmith brother, Ilmarinen, Let us haste and look together, What the kind of fire that falleth, What the form of light that shineth From the upper vault of heaven, From the lower earth and ocean.'

Wainamoinen said to Ilmarinen, 'Let's go see what kind of fire is falling from the sky.'

_Wainamoinen and Ilmarinen decide to investigate the falling fire._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xlvii-louhi-steals-sun-moon-and-fire
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kalevala_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters