Blinkande tomte

Nordic mythological creature

"Tomten" and "Tomte" redirect here. For the poem, see Tomten (poem). For the band, see Tomte (band).

A nisse (Danish:[ˈne̝sə], Norwegian:[ˈnɪ̂sːə]), tomte (Swedish:[ˈtɔ̂mːtɛ]), tomtenisse, or tonttu (Finnish:[ˈtontːu]) is a household spirit from Nordic folklore which has always been described as a small human-like creature wearing a red cap and gray clothing, doing house and stable chores, and expecting to be rewarded at least once a year around winter solstice (yuletide), with the gift of its favorite food, the porridge.

Although there are several suggested etymologies, nisse may derive from the given name Niels or Nicholas, introduced 15–17th century (or earlier in medieval times according to some), hence nisse is cognate to Saint Nicholas and related to the Saint Nicholas Day gift giver to children. In the 19th century the Scandinavian nisse became increasingly associated with the Christmas season and Christmas gift giving, its pictorial depiction strongly influenced by American Santa Claus in some opinion, evolving into the Julenisse .

The nisse is one of the

Tomtar: En omfattande guide

Tomtar äger en kraftfull och djup förankring inom nordisk folktro. De små, ofta bevingade och mystiska varelserna besitter väckt fascination och nyfikenhet i århundraden. Från deras traditionella roller som bondgårdens beskyddare mot deras moderna gestaltningar inom populärkulturen besitter tomtarna ständigt utvecklats dock aldrig förlorat sin trollbindande karaktär. Denna artikel utforskar tomtarnas ursprung, deras roll i folktron samt deras utveckling samt representation inom dagens samhälle.

Ursprung och Roll i Folktron

Tomtar har sitt ursprung inom en tidig form från animism inom nordisk folktro där samtliga naturens element tillskrevs andliga varelser. Ursprungligen betraktades tomtarna som skyddsandar på gårdar, benämnda liksom &#;gårdstomtar&#;. Deras uppgift fanns att vaka över boskapen och skörden, vilket innebar att dem hade massiv betydelse för bondesamhället. Dessa levde ofta i ladugårdar eller beneath husens yta och utförde sitt sysselsättning i skydd av nattens mörker.

Gårdstomtarna ägde ett komplext förhållande mot människorna; dem kunde artikel

History of the Tomte

The Tomte is one of the most familiar creatures of Scandinavian folklore. From the fairytales of Hans Christian Anderson to the Tomten poem by Viktor Rydberg and the artwork of Jenny Nystrom, the Tomte/Nisse is in so many ways a part of the Scandinavian mythological soul. The Tomte was considered to be the very first inhabitant of the farm and helped care for the farm animals and assisted with the general welfare of the land.

The Tomte was an honest fellow. He has been depicted as a very small person with a long beard and dressed as a farmer. Although small in stature, he is not weak, and according to Scandinavian folklore his caring spirit and worthiness was believed to help protect his house and home.

Read more about the legend of the Tomte here and here.

Click here to find Tomte figurines and ornaments as well as many other Scandinavian Holiday Gifts.