Paasselkä devil facts for kids
Paasselkä devils (Finnish: "Päässelän pirut") are old stories about mysterious balls of light seen near Lake Paasselkä in Finland. People living there have reported seeing bright, glowing balls moving above the lake or in the nearby forests. These kinds of lights are sometimes called ghost lights or will o' the wisps in other parts of the world. Scientists are still trying to understand what causes these strange lights.
For a very long time, these stories have been a part of the local folklore, which means they are traditional beliefs and tales passed down through generations. People used to think these glowing balls were "devils" or spirits. Some still believe the lights are alive or have a mind because they seem to act that way. For example, a light might follow a fisherman's boat or even seem to hide if someone shines a flashlight at it.
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The Mysterious Lake Paasselkä
Lake Paasselkä itself is quite special. It was formed millions of years ago when a huge space rock crashed into the Earth. A lake created this way is called a crater-lake. What makes this lake even more interesting is that the magnetism in the middle of the lake is unusual. Some people wonder if this strange magnetism has anything to do with the mysterious lights.
What Are Ghost Lights?
The Paasselkä devils are a type of phenomenon known as "ghost lights" or "will o' the wisps." These are mysterious lights seen in nature, often in swamps, forests, or over water. People all over the world have reported seeing them for centuries. While many stories and legends surround them, scientists are still working to find a clear explanation for what they are. Some ideas include natural gases, special types of glowing insects, or even electrical phenomena in the air.
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External Links
- You can sometimes see videos of these lights on this website
Further Reading
- Sulo Strömberg: Kerimäen ja Savonrannan kyliä kiertämässä. Tarinoita Paasveen piruista ja pohuista (2006)
