In Finnish mythology, Ukko,[1] in Estonian mythology Uku,[2] is a god of sky, weather, crops (harvest) and other natural things. He is the most significant god in Finnish and Estonian mythologies, and created the goddess Ilmatar, creator of the world. The Finnish word ukkonen, thunderstorm, is derived from his name. In the Kalevala he is also called Ylijumala (the high god), as he is the god of things above. Other names for Ukko include Pitkänen (pitkä, long), Isäinen (isä, father), Isoinen (iso, great) and Äijö. He makes all his appearances in myths solely by natural effects when asked. He is the equivalent of Zeus in the Greek Pantheon, or Thor in the Norse pantheon with properties of Odin. The equivalent of Thor, Tuuri, was seldom encountered in the Finnish pantheon, and relegated only as deity of harvest and success.
While Ukko took Ilmarinen's position as the Sky God, Ilmarinen's destiny was to turn into a mortal smith-hero. Stories tell about Ilmarinen vaulting the sky-dome.
Ukko's weapon was a hammer called Ukonvasara (Ukko's Hammer), or an axe or a sword, by which he struck lightning (see thunderbolt). While Ukko mated with his wife Akka, (which consequently means "old woman" in modern Finnish, whereas "ukko" means "old man") the act created a thunderstorm. He also created thunderstorms by driving with his chariot through the skies. Ukko's original weapon was probably the boat-shaped stone-axe of the battle-axe culture.
A viper snake with a saw-figure on its skin is a symbol of thunder. There are stone carvings which have features of both snakes and lightning.
Ukko also gave good luck for hunting.
The Midsummer celebration nowadays known in Finland as Juhannus (after Johannes Kastaja, engl. John the Baptist) was originally called Ukon juhla (engl. Feast of Ukko).
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