Liekkiö facts for kids
In Finnish mythology, a Liekkiö (pronounced LEEK-kee-oh) or Ihtiriekko (pronounced IH-tee-ree-ek-koh) is a special kind of ghost. These spirits are believed to be the souls of babies who could not rest peacefully. They are often linked to old beliefs about what happens after someone passes away.
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What are Liekkiö and Ihtiriekko?
Liekkiö and Ihtiriekko are two names for the same type of spirit in old Finnish stories. They are both believed to be the ghosts of young children. These spirits are said to appear when a baby's body was not buried in a proper graveyard.
The Story Behind the Ghosts
According to ancient Finnish beliefs, a baby's soul could not find peace if its body was not laid to rest in a sacred place. This meant the soul could not go to the afterlife. Instead, it would become a ghost, trapped between worlds. These sad spirits would then wander, looking for a way to find peace.
How They Appear
These child spirits could appear in different ways. Their appearance often depended on how they were trying to get attention.
The Noisy Ihtiriekko
Sometimes, the ghost would make a lot of noise. This noise could be very loud and disturbing. People believed that an Ihtiriekko would keep making terrible sounds until its body was found. Once found, the body needed to be buried in a proper graveyard. Only then could the spirit finally rest.
The Fiery Liekkiö
Other times, the ghost might be quiet. Instead of making noise, it would appear as a small flame in the forest. This flame looked a lot like a will o' the wisp, which is a mysterious light sometimes seen over bogs. People called this fiery spirit a Liekkiö. It was a visual sign of the restless soul.
