Nøkken

If you pass by a quiet, little forest pond at twilight, be on your guard. A little lump, overgrown with shrubs and grass floating on the surface or the rotten boat by the edge are not necessarily what they seem to be. And should you encounter a splendid-looking, grayish-white horse grazing peacefully next to the pond, do not climb onto its back for a ride. If you do so, it might very well be the last ride of your life, for the Nøkken is always hungry for human flesh…

The Nøkken is a frightening, male water spirit that inhabits inland ponds, lakes and sometimes rivers. His name comes from the Old Norse word nykr, which is closely related to the Old English word Nicor, the Faroese Nykur and the old Germanic Nix, all used to describe similar male water spirits eager to attract humans in an attempt to drown them. In some folkloric traditions, though not Scandinavian, the Nøkken has a female counterpart: Nixe in German folklore, the Melusine in France, and Rusalke in Slavic mythologies.

The Nøkken can take several shapes, with the most common being a rotting log or boat lying inconspicuously by the bank, trying to lure an unsuspecting passer-by into taking a little rowing trip on the lake. However, as soon as the victim reaches deep water, the Nøkken shows his true face, and the unfortunate passenger is pulled into the depths to a watery grave.

Another well-known disguise for Nøkken is that of a beautiful, white horse. When in this shape, he will try to trick people, especially children, into climbing on his back for a ride. When this happens, however, the Nøkken jumps straight into the water, drowning the rider.

The Nøkken might sometimes step ashore and take the shape of an attractive, long-haired young man in an attempt to lure young women into joining him for a romantic swim. When he does appear as a human, he is typically dressed elegantly and playing an instrument like the flute or the violin, for who could resist such a supernaturally beautiful and skilled young man? In this, he resembles the Fossegrim - a water spirit who lives in waterfalls and lures his victims to their death with seductive tunes of the Hardanger fiddle.

The Nøkken and his European relatives are thus closely linked to death by drowning. In many myths and legends, this creature will cry from the pond or lake where the accident is to happen. Such cries are known as varskrik (warning cries) and were interpreted as an omen of death. All over Scandinavia, the Nøkken has been used as a cautionary tale by parents to ensure that children would not stray near rivers, lakes, and ponds, where they could easily drown. Although the Nøkken will actively try to attract humans, it is possible to protect against him by throwing an item made of iron or steel at him, or by speaking his name out loud.

The best time to see the Nøkken is in the fall, on clear, cold nights when the moon shines bright. On such nights he can be seen peeking his head above the surface to catch one last glimpse of the landscape before the water freezes over for the winter and traps him underneath the ice. You might spot the Nøkken as one, or more, lumps of moss and grass in the lake, and if you look closely enough, you might even see his yellow eyes glowing in the darkness. During winter, he sits at the bottom of the lake, sighing sadly while longing for summer and sun.