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Päivätär (pronounced [ˈpæi̯ʋætær]; lit. 'Lady Sun') is the goddess of the Sun in Finnish mythology. She owns the silver of the Sun, spins silver yarns, and weaves clothes out of them.^[1] In Kalevala, young maidens ask Päivätär to give them some of her silver jewellery and clothes.^[2] She is described as a great beauty.^[3]

Professor Anna-Leena Siikala finds it possible that Päivätär was a goddess who ruled over life and light. During Christian period, she was replaced by Virgin Mary.^[4]

In Finnish folk poetry, Päivätär is known as the mother of wasps.^[1] Another name which appears in folk poetry is Auringotar, which has the same meaning as Päivätär. Auringotar is mentioned as the creator of fire.^[5]

References

^ ^a ^b Pulkkinen, Risto; Lindfors, Stina (2016). Suomalaisen kansanuskon sanakirja. Gaudeamus. ISBN 978-952-495-405-1.
^ Kalevala, Rune IV.
^ Kalevala, Rune IV, XXV, XLI. the Sun's sweet maidens
^ Kauhanen, Erkki (2003). "Samaanien Suomessa hyöri jumalia luonnon täydeltä". Tiede. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
^ Haataja, Heikki (1916). "Tulen jälki". Suomen kansan vanhat runot. Retrieved 2022-05-04.