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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!

The venomous adder was both feared and respected. Folklore and mythology usually talks about a generic "snake" but since Finland only has two native species of snake, adder and grass snake, it didn't really matter much. Adder's venom made it a very powerful creature. Sometimes the venom was a symbol or equal to hatred in speech and lore. Shamans and sorcerers would summon adders for their aid to use their powers. The adder was also a very useful creature to transform into due to being able to go through the smallest spaces.

In Finland the adder - or snakes in general - were said to be born from the earth and the venom in adders was all the evil and hatred that had soaked into the soil. This made people believe that adders could absorb evil and hence the snakes were used to ward off evil. People would keep snake skins, snake corpses or even live snakes hidden under their houses, near their fireplaces or cowsheds and they would feed the live snakes. These snakes were the protectors of each family.

The snake was the embodiment of earth's vitality and the circle of life since it shed its skin and was born anew over and over again.

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!

The venomous adder was both feared and respected. Folklore and mythology usually talks about a generic "snake" but since Finland only has two native species of snake, adder and grass snake, it didn't really matter much. Adder's venom made it a very powerful creature. Sometimes the venom was a symbol or equal to hatred in speech and lore. Shamans and sorcerers would summon adders for their aid to use their powers. The adder was also a very useful creature to transform into due to being able to go through the smallest spaces.

In Finland the adder - or snakes in general - were said to be born from the earth and the venom in adders was all the evil and hatred that had soaked into the soil. This made people believe that adders could absorb evil and hence the snakes were used to ward off evil. People would keep snake skins, snake corpses or even live snakes hidden under their houses, near their fireplaces or cowsheds and they would feed the live snakes. These snakes were the protectors of each family.

The snake was the embodiment of earth's vitality and the circle of life since it shed its skin and was born anew over and over again.

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