Näcken I bäckenNäcken is a supernatural male water creature that mainly lives in rivers, streams, ponds and lakes inland. The figure is known from old Nordic folklore and poetry since Old Norse times, mainly from legends and folk songs from Norway and Sweden. Näcken is an embodiment of the dangers associated with water. (Google translated Wikipedia)
Näcken lures people into the water and drown them with his music, he often plays a violin but sometimes he is depicted with a harp. His motivations are unknown.
He also teaches other musicians to play but first they need to:
1. play by the water three Thursday nights in a row. The third night Näcken will appear.
2. bring a black cat. (The whole cat need to be black) on the third night the musician needs to have the cat ready and give it to Näcken as a payment.
3. survive. Näcken will try to drown his student. Be careful.
(Slight gore warning for this part)
If you survive You will be able to play so good that even furniture starts to dance but, there are a few melodies that are very dangerous. Näcken will warn you about one particular melody, älvaspelet. Älvaspelet is so powerful that anyone listening (that includes the musician) can’t stop dancing. They will dance for so long that their feet turns into bloody stumps. Some go on for so long that all that’s left is a wobbling head. The only way to break the spell is if someone cuts of the strings of the violin/harp.
(Most of my information comes from “Nordiska väsen” by Johan Egerkrans.)
I had a lot of fun with this. I’ve wanted to draw Näcken for a while since he’s actually my favourite mythical creature. When I was younger my dad used to read the text that I referenced in the caption to me before I fell asleep. I’ve always loved him.Oct 7, 2023
Näcken lures people into the water and drown them with his music, he often plays a violin but sometimes he is depicted with a harp. His motivations are unknown.
He also teaches other musicians to play but first they need to:
1. play by the water three Thursday nights in a row. The third night Näcken will appear.
2. bring a black cat. (The whole cat need to be black) on the third night the musician needs to have the cat ready and give it to Näcken as a payment.
3. survive. Näcken will try to drown his student. Be careful.
(Slight gore warning for this part)
If you survive You will be able to play so good that even furniture starts to dance but, there are a few melodies that are very dangerous. Näcken will warn you about one particular melody, älvaspelet. Älvaspelet is so powerful that anyone listening (that includes the musician) can’t stop dancing. They will dance for so long that their feet turns into bloody stumps. Some go on for so long that all that’s left is a wobbling head. The only way to break the spell is if someone cuts of the strings of the violin/harp.
(Most of my information comes from “Nordiska väsen” by Johan Egerkrans.)
I had a lot of fun with this. I’ve wanted to draw Näcken for a while since he’s actually my favourite mythical creature. When I was younger my dad used to read the text that I referenced in the caption to me before I fell asleep. I’ve always loved him.Oct 7, 2023
#nordicmythology
#näcken
#digital
#procreate
#mythology
Comments
That's a very cool myth!! And with some lovely art to accompany it!! I'll happily add it to my repertoire x)
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Ahh, I love the colours of this! 
I'm not well versed on Nordic folklore, but this creature is so interesting! Thank you sm for participating in this challenge ^^
I'm not well versed on Nordic folklore, but this creature is so interesting! Thank you sm for participating in this challenge ^^
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