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Description
COMMISSIONS TUMBLR | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | KO-FI | ETSY | REDBUBBLE | INPRNT

Old Gods is my theme for this year's Inktober. As usual I assembled a personal prompt list that can be found here. Old Gods is about Finnish wildlife and about all the myths and beliefs related to these animals. I have always been interested in the relationship ancient Finnish people had with nature and all the stories from those times. In this series I will explore the mystical nature of these animals, but if you wish to join me you're free to interpret the list any way you want!

As the name already suggests the wood grouse was strongly associated the forest, so much in fact that it was basically synonymous with the forest. The Finnish name, metso, is almost the same as the Finnish word for forest, metsä. The wood grouse doesn't migrate and it rarely leaves the forest and so seeing a wood grouse near human settlements was considered an ill omen. The wood grouse was a herald of war, famine and death.

The wood grouse is a very powerful, magical bird, and it was said to be the king of the forest and all animals dwelling in it (despite the bear, moose and crane also being called kings of the forest/other animals). Shamans would often take the form of a wood grouse. According to some beliefs, if you shot a wood grouse with a silver bullet what falls down would not be a bird but a witch.

However, despite all the ill omens and witchcraft, one shouldn't shoot a wood grouse or try to drive it away as it will always backfire and shooting a wood grouse will make the shooter go blind.

I hope you enjoy the series!

Media Parker Quink | Arches cold press watercolour paper
Time taken -
Art © ShadeofShinon

You are not allowed to trace/copy/edit my artwork on DA or any other site and claim it as your own. Any use that is not non-profit strictly forbidden.
FAQ/ART USAGE

Description
COMMISSIONS TUMBLR | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | KO-FI | ETSY | REDBUBBLE | INPRNT

Old Gods is my theme for this year's Inktober. As usual I assembled a personal prompt list that can be found here. Old Gods is about Finnish wildlife and about all the myths and beliefs related to these animals. I have always been interested in the relationship ancient Finnish people had with nature and all the stories from those times. In this series I will explore the mystical nature of these animals, but if you wish to join me you're free to interpret the list any way you want!

As the name already suggests the wood grouse was strongly associated the forest, so much in fact that it was basically synonymous with the forest. The Finnish name, metso, is almost the same as the Finnish word for forest, metsä. The wood grouse doesn't migrate and it rarely leaves the forest and so seeing a wood grouse near human settlements was considered an ill omen. The wood grouse was a herald of war, famine and death.

The wood grouse is a very powerful, magical bird, and it was said to be the king of the forest and all animals dwelling in it (despite the bear, moose and crane also being called kings of the forest/other animals). Shamans would often take the form of a wood grouse. According to some beliefs, if you shot a wood grouse with a silver bullet what falls down would not be a bird but a witch.

However, despite all the ill omens and witchcraft, one shouldn't shoot a wood grouse or try to drive it away as it will always backfire and shooting a wood grouse will make the shooter go blind.

I hope you enjoy the series!

Media Parker Quink | Arches cold press watercolour paper
Time taken -
Art © ShadeofShinon

You are not allowed to trace/copy/edit my artwork on DA or any other site and claim it as your own. Any use that is not non-profit strictly forbidden.
FAQ/ART USAGE