By: Liz Pond
Posted: September 9, 2025
“When I look at the Northern Lights…I see our ancestors dancing around a sacred fire, lighting the way for when it’s time for us to cross over from the physical world and join them.” - Mary Larkin
Last month I shared the exhilarating and emotional Icelandic adventure of witnessing the greatest light show on earth, the Aurora Borealis. I was intrigued by the intersection of science, myth, and lived experience. Logic says that this is a purely scientific phenomenon and I am romanticizing the encounter.
It is a fact that the lights appear when highly charged solar wind particles flowing from the sun collide with air molecules in the earth’s atmosphere transferring their energy into the light. These occur around polar regions where magnetic fields converge such as Iceland, Scandinavia, Canada, and Alaska (1). However, during periods of intense solar activity, they can sometimes be seen further south. The specific colors depend on the type of gas and energy levels in transition. Oxygen can produce green or red light, while nitrogen can produce blue or purple-red light.
Digging a little deeper into the science, our sun continuously emits charged particles from its upper atmosphere known as "solar wind" which is projected out into the solar system at monumental speeds. This solar energy reaches Earth’s ionosphere (upper atmosphere), where our planet’s magnetic field deflects the charged particles towards the poles. The solar particles collide with gases like oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere which ‘excites’ the electrons of these elements, causing them to release the extra energy as light. It’s this atomic collision that creates the spectacular array of bright colors we see in the night sky. The greater the amount of charged solar particles, the brighter and bolder the display, and the higher the chance of seeing the auroras. (1)
What this tidy scientific description does not explain is the overwhelming spiritual aspect so many people experience when they witness an Aurora Borealis event. Populations around the world are spellbound by the lights, often deriving deep meaning from their spectacular displays. Can the auroras be both scientific and spiritual?
Stories of a spiritual connection to the Northern Lights dates back tens of thousands of years. They are depicted in cave paintings and sprinkled through ancient Chinese text, as well as in Greek and even Roman beliefs. Indigenous cultures, Norse mythology, and Inuit folklore all have a spiritual version of the aurora story. (2)
Iceland itself is a country of mystical creatures, legends, myths and mystery. The dark nights of winter lend to tall tales and truth. The often desolate landscape summons space for imagination. Vikings and trolls share the stage blurring the boundaries of reality. So when the lights emerge from the darkness and the clouds, it makes sense that they combine scientific reality with fantastical performance often inspired by magical beings. As someone with less than an hour of lived experience with the aurora, I can share only that I felt something spiritual and curiously mystical alongside the science.
Intuition and rational analysis have battled in my brain and body for years. In my youth I would brush off this gut reaction and rationalize it away with logic. However, with the wisdom of years, I have learned to trust my instincts and pay attention to that gnawing incongruence of explanation. When we take time to listen to ourselves, our compass usually points us in the right direction. In this case, I let loose those subtle, unexplainable feelings and explore the possibility that both science and spirituality can exist within the kaleidoscope of the Auroras.
There was a camaraderie within our tour group in the shared experience of witnessing the lights, but the impact feels intensely personal. It is no surprise that the lights phenomena has been decoded in uniquely personal stories throughout history.
Different cultures have crafted fascinating stories to explain the Northern Lights. These mythical interpretations often reflect the cultural values and beliefs of the societies that created them. Beyond their scientific explanation, these celestial displays have inspired numerous tales and myths in Icelandic folklore. These stories reflect the heritage and the awe that Icelanders have always held for this natural phenomenon. The dancing lights of Valkyries, bridge to the afterlife, Harbinger of good fortune and the dance of the mythical creatures are a few examples of Icelandic Northern Lights Folklore. (3)
The Dancing Lights of the Valkyries is a popular Icelandic legend in Norse mythology. The Northern Lights are believed to be the reflections of the Valkyries’ armor as they ride across the sky. The Valkyries were warrior maidens serving Odin, responsible for choosing those who would die and those who would live in battles. The flickering lights were thought to be a bridge to the afterlife, guiding fallen warriors to Valhalla. The shimmering lights are seen as the glistening of their shields, casting a magical glow over the heavens. This interpretation depicts the Northern Lights as a symbol of strength and warrior spirit. (3)
Another tale suggests that the Northern Lights serve as a bridge to the afterlife. In this legend the lights guide the souls of the departed to their final resting place. The colors and patterns in the sky are thought to be the dancing spirits making their journey. This story emphasizes the connection between the natural world and the spiritual realm, highlighting the importance of celestial phenomena in guiding the souls of the deceased. (3)
In some Icelandic communities, the Northern Lights are also seen as a harbinger of good fortune and prosperity. It was believed that witnessing the lights would bring a bountiful catch to fishermen or a successful harvest to farmers. People would often interpret the lights as a positive omen, filling them with hope and optimism. (3)
In Icelandic folklore, the Northern Lights are believed to result from elves and hidden people (Huldufólk) dancing in the dark night sky. These supernatural beings are thought to come out of their homes to celebrate and dance under the bright auroras. Some Icelanders have claimed to hear music and laughter accompanying the lights, reinforcing this belief in the connection between elves and the Northern Lights (4)
Interestingly, not all beliefs surrounding the Northern Lights are positive. Long ago Icelanders believed that the Aurora Borealis would relieve the pain of childbirth, but this came with a caveat; if the soon-to-be mother looked at the lights, her child would be born with crossed eyes. (4) In Norse mythology, the Northern Lights were thought to be a burning shimmering bridge called Bifröst, also known as the rainbow bridge, which connected Midgard, the world of humans, with Asgard, the realm of the gods. (6)
Some Icelandic folklore warns against interacting with the lights. It was said that waving, singing, or whistling at the Northern Lights could provoke them, causing them to swoop down and carry the offender away. This superstition underscores a respect for nature’s power and serves as a cautionary tale to avoid tempting fate. (2) Greenlandic folklore teaches that the Northern Lights were the souls of babies who died during birth dancing across the sky (6)
In Finnish folklore, the Aurora Borealis is known as “Revontulet” which translates to “fox fires”. According to legend, the lights were created by a magical fox sweeping his tail across the snow, sending sparks into the sky. This enchanting story highlights the deep connection between the natural world and Finnish culture. (4), (7)
Throughout Scandinavia, the Sámi (indigenous Finno-Urgi people) had a more distrusting attitude toward the Northern Lights. The aurora was considered a bad omen in the Finnish stories magnifying the bravery, heroism, and mystical animals and giving way to fear and wary respect. (6), (7)
In Sweden the aurora was usually regarded as a sign of good news. One legend claims that the auroras were a gift of light and warmth in the cold, dark winter, sent from benevolent gods via a volcano. In other parts of the country, people considered the Northern Lights to be a reflection of large shoals of herring. Naturally, this boded well for the fishermen. Farmers also looked at the green streaks across the sky favorably. They saw its presence as the heralding of a good harvest in the year to come. (4), (7) In Siberia, a child born during the aurora would have a long and prosperous life. In Japan, the presence of the lights during birth was believed to give way to high intelligence. (5)
Many Indigenous American tribes have their own interpretations of the Northern Lights. The Inuit believed the lights were the spirits of animals, such as deer, playing in the sky. The Cree people of North America thought the lights were a dance of the spirits, providing guidance and protection to those below. Vision quest, a significant part of the Cree culture, encourages young people to seek guidance and wisdom from the natural world. It often involves a period of fasting, solitude, and prayer in nature with the lights in the sky offering direction. (8)
The Northern Lights have fascinated humanity for centuries. While the scientific explanation of the Aurora Borealis sheds light on the wonders of our universe, equally intriguing are the captivating stories of the myth and folklore. The natural and scientific world seem to fuse with the spiritual. The reader can decide where the line is drawn between the two. These vibrant celestial displays, painting the night sky in hues of green, pink, and violet, have sparked countless myths and scientific inquiries alike.
Both myth and science provide fascinating perspectives on the Northern Lights. While myths connect us to the imagination and cultural heritage of our ancestors, scientific understanding deepens our appreciation of the natural world. One thing is for certain, the Northern Lights remain a breathtaking reminder of the universe’s beauty and complexity, inspiring awe and wonder in all who witness them.
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Photo Credits:
Agnes Pelton, The Blest. 1941
AI Generated “Science and the Aurora Borealis”
Resources:
(1) https://www.icelandair.com/blog/northern-lights-explained/
(2) https://wildernesscenter.org/aurora-borealis-northern-lights/
(3) https://perlan.is/articles/icelandic-folklore-northern-lights
(4) https://yourfriendinreykjavik.com/myths-and-legends-of-the-northern-lights/
(5) https://www.discover-the-world.com/blog/things-to-know-about-the-northern-lights/
(6) https://www.auroraviking.com/post/the-viking-settlers-of-iceland-and-the-northern-lights-a-connection-through-mythology-and-history
(7) https://gofjords.com/inspiration/norway/myths-and-legends-about-the-northern-lights/
(8) https://www.nathab.com/blog/myths-and-legends-of-the-northern-lights-an-interview-with-a-churchill-cree-elder
