# Rune XLVIII: Capture of the Fire-Fish explained — The Kalevala

> Chapter companion for The Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot.

## What happens

Wainamoinen, the eternal wisdom-singer, devises a plan to weave a net to catch the Fire-pike, the source of evil fire. After sowing flax and weaving a great net, he and Ilmarinen fish repeatedly but fail to catch the Fire-pike until a water-pygmy helps drive the fish into the net. The Fire-pike is caught, and a Sun-child carves it, revealing a ball of fire from heaven. The fire escapes, burning Wainamoinen and Ilmarinen, but Wainamoinen eventually captures it and returns it to Kalevala. Ilmarinen then soothes his burns with frost and prayers to Ukko.

## Themes in this chapter

### Craftsmanship and Creation

The detailed process of sowing flax, spinning thread, and weaving the net highlights the theme of skilled creation.

### Nature and the Landscape

The fishing journey traverses lakes, islands, and shores, emphasizing the natural environment of Kalevala.

### Power of Song and Magic

Wainamoinen uses incantations and magical commands to summon helpers and control the fire, demonstrating the power of song and magic.

## Character check-ins

### Wainamoinen

The ancient singer and magician who orchestrates the capture of the Fire-pike and returns fire to Kalevala.

### Ilmarinen

The blacksmith who assists in fishing and suffers burns from the escaping fire, later healing himself with frost.

### Wellamo

Water-hostess invoked by Wainamoinen to aid in the fishing by changing her raiment.

### Ahto

King of the waters called upon to drive fish into the net.

### Ukko

God of love and mercy invoked by Ilmarinen to send snow and hoar-frost to heal his burns.

### Panu

The willing fire of Ukko, also called the child of Fire, which is captured and later tamed.

## Key lines

> Spake the ancient Wainamoinen: 'O thou blacksmith, Ilmarinen, Let us go ourselves a-fishing, Let us catch the fish of evil!'

Wainamoinen suggests to Ilmarinen that they personally go fishing to catch the evil Fire-pike.

_This call to action initiates the central quest of the chapter._

> Quick a knife falls from the heavens, From the clouds a magic fish-knife, Silver-edged and golden-headed, To the girdle of the Sun-child;

A magical knife descends from the sky to the Sun-child, enabling him to carve the Fire-pike.

_The divine intervention underscores the supernatural nature of the Fire-pike's capture._

> Wainamoinen's beard it singes, Burns the brow of Ilmarinen, Burns the fingers of the blacksmith.

The escaping fire burns Wainamoinen's beard and Ilmarinen's brow and fingers.

_The fire's destructive power is vividly shown through its effect on the heroes._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xlviii-capture-of-the-fire-fish
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kalevala_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters