Huldra — Female Forest Creatures

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Huldra

Huldra

Huldra are female forest creatures from Germanic-Scandinavian folklore. Their name translates as "secret" or "hidden," likely because these creatures tried to conceal their mystical nature. They are described as beautiful, seductive women with long golden hair and a crown of flowers upon their heads. But unlike ordinary women, they have a cow's tail, which they always keep hidden.

A huldra can be encountered in the mountains or forest, tending her cattle, which are larger than ordinary cows and give more milk. According to legend and folktale, a huldra would lure young, unmarried men to her, who would fall in love with her enchanting beauty; she would seduce them and lead them far away into the mountains to live with her family. Returning home was nearly impossible. Yet, according to the tales, the man's relatives might ask a priest to ring the church bells, or walk through the forest themselves ringing small bells, and this was said to break the enchantment and bring the missing man back.

Huldras lived comfortably

Huldras belonged to the hidden folk, possibly related to trolls. They lived comfortably, with plenty of food and clothing, and many cattle and sheep. Men who stayed with a huldra and took her as a wife lived happily to the end of their days. It was believed that these forest creatures were kind to those who treated them with respect and did not defy them. But if a man tried to return to human society, fell out of love with his huldra wife, or mistreated her, her face would turn hideous, and she might harm him — even kill him. She could strike a man with her cow's tail so hard that it robbed him of both his reason and his hearing.

Huldras feared prayer

But if a priest married a huldra to a man, her tail would fall away, and according to some myths, she would become fully human. This is why it is said that these creatures fear prayer and fire.

Huldras sang and played the harp

These forest seductresses could also lure men to them with their enchanting singing and harp-playing. They were said to have the ability to foretell the future, cast spells, and change their appearance.

Interesting fact

According to some stories, a huldra has a hollow in her back, like a hole in a tree trunk, which she also hides from everyone, just as she does her tail.

Male creatures of their kind also appear in Scandinavian folklore and are called huldrekalls. They are described as extremely hideous, with a large nose.

Huldra — Female Forest Creatures

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