There’s a story I heard from a folklore book that was over a hundred years old, of Scandinavian stories translated into English that features the Nökken in a sympathetic light: “Once there lived by a certain bridge, a Nøkk. He was not an ordinary Nøkk, for he never harmed or tricked anyone. He loved to play the harp and sing, and would do so for hours at a time, regardless of whether he had an audience or not. He was very friendly and kind to passers by and would even greet them as they came and went. Now, as it happened, a priest happened to cross this bridge. Seeing the happy Nøkk, he grew very angry, although I do not know why. “You there!” The priest shouted. “What right have you to be so happy and sing all day? Don’t you know that you have no immortal soul? You can no sooner get into Heaven than this staff in my hand may bloom and bring forth flower!” Hearing this, the poor Nøkk threw down his harp, put his face in his hands, and wept ceaselessly. Feeling he had put the silly fairy in its place, the priest walked on. But he had not gone ten steps, when the staff in his hands shivered and shook, and then, to his astonishment, it bloomed all over, leaves, branches, and fragrant white blossoms. Feeling shamed by the miracle, the priest hurried back to the bridge and the sobbing Nøkk. “Don’t cry,” he told the Nøkk, and held up his blossoming staff. “Look you, the staff in my hand has blossomed, and you WILL enter the kingdom of Heaven!” The Nøkk was made happy again, and took up his harp again. And as far as I know, he is singing there still.” I don’t know the provenance of the story. The book was lost in my twenties. But I thought you might like it.

@AnnaBridgland

Жыл бұрын

What a great story! I love the little folktales that humanise folkloric creatures - it adds so much more depth to their characters and stories. Thank you 😊

@misskate3815

Жыл бұрын

@@AnnaBridgland I’m glad you like it! I did some digging and apparently the book was “Northern Mythology” by Benjamin Thorpe. Sadly, it seems to be out of print. I had to let my copy go because of reasons beyond my control, but I wish I had kept it. It had some wacky stuff in it, but it was also interesting to me bc even tho it was from the 1850s, some of the stories read like those “I saw a ghost in the Winnipeg Fort Gary hotel” internet anecdotes.

@aether6928

Жыл бұрын

My name is Nökkvi, and reading this made my day. May your life blossom as well as everyone's in this world!

Anna, I have been exploring my ancestral ties to Scandinavia and the British Isles through records and family accounts and your stories allow me to feel as though I get to experience a little bit of the Old Country. Your work is both educational and inspiring and has prompted me to participate in the Sons of Norway and look into traditional storytelling classes. Thank you for all your wonderful efforts! Takk!

@AnnaBridgland

Жыл бұрын

That's wonderful Katie, I'm so glad you enjoy what I do and can take away so much from it!

As fascinating as ever. My colleagues on the Northworthy Sagas and Stories channel here on KZread have done one or two Nokk stories.

Water Creatures ( Real , possibly real , and definitely mythological) fascinate me more than any others ! Thanks for this video Anna !

@AnnaBridgland

Жыл бұрын

Me too! The similarities around the world across cultures is really fascinating 😊

@lapis3834

6 ай бұрын

The marine kingdom from Africa, has some similarities .

I’m so excited for the water spirit episode

@AnnaBridgland

Жыл бұрын

Me too, though it's only half written so far 😃

@elle7938

Жыл бұрын

@@AnnaBridgland I hope you mention mermaids!!

@maggiesheartlove2734

Жыл бұрын

@@elle7938 Me too! I remember being obsessed with mermaids as a kid!! BTW, LOOOOOVE the profile pic.

I do so love your content. Thank You.

@AnnaBridgland

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoy it!!

I had a dream last night of a water siren which used ice magic on frozen lakes and asked chatgpt if there was a myth of a creature like it and it directed me to Näkka.

Gotta say, in Denmark he is also commonly reffered to as "Nykken" rather than "Åmanden"

you know I guess I know where that one operative who's really good at dealing with cameras and any Tech from Rainbow Six Siege got her name from

No wonder why I'm scared of the water

@purplefoxgirl3799

Жыл бұрын

If This Helps You He Only Lives In Swamps Where There Is Sticky At The Bottom, Not in Swimming Pools Or The Ocean Where There is Mostly Just Sand And Rocks. And Plus He Was Only A Made Up Character So That Children in The Old Days Wouldn't Go Over To The Swamp And Fall Over

Oh my God, I finally get to do this............... FIRST!!!

@AnnaBridgland

Жыл бұрын

😂

A very unpleasant being. Thank you for the information.

SECOND!

@Anna Bridgland - Folklore, Mythology & Fairy Tales >>> THREE breasts?? TRIFECTA! 😊

It's the same as slavic vodyanoy or vodník.