Original for sale on Everyday Original!
On a stone was obtained the cat with the nose of a girl,
with the head of a hare, with a tail from Hiisi’s plait of hair,
with the claws of a viper snake,
witht he feet of cloudberries,
from a wolf the rest of its body comes.
Like many other nocturnal creatures, the cat was often associated with magic, hexes and dark powers. In Finnish folklore it was described as a demonic, fiery being from Hiisi. Depending on the context Hiisi may refer to a place with its own folk and powers, often like an underworld, but also as an entity, a troll or a giant. Creatures of the night also had their more positive associations. In one tale ailments were placed onto a sled pulled by a cat who would take the worries over to the dark Pohjola. Cats were sometimes portrayed as the healers’ helpers and were believed to bring protection from evil spirits.
Cats are also associated with para, usually small and fluffy creatures that were sometimes described as cat-like. In Finnish folklore Kipinätär was a cat with sparks in its fur. The association of electricity may refer to actual electricity but also lightning-fast strikes in the darkness of the night and the sudden, slashing pain that comes along with Kipinätär’s claws.
This painting is from my “Old Gods – Origins” series in which I explore various origin myths and how animals are involved in them.
Painted in ink and gold medium on 300 g/sqm Lanaquarelle cold press watercolour paper, 100% cotton. The painting is unframed.
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