Surma (Finnish mythology)
Encyclopedia
Surma is a character in the Finnish mythology of Kalevala
. Surma is a terrible beast, embodies sudden, violent death and guards the gates of the Tuonela
to prevent escape. It is often described as being a large dog with a snake-tail and can turn you into stone (with a stare). An often-used Finnish metaphor is surman suuhun "into Surma's mouth", as if the victim was mauled to death by Surma.
Surma also means kill, or specifically a kill and the verb surmata, to kill or to slay, is derived from it.
Kalevala
The Kalevala is a 19th century work of epic poetry compiled by Elias Lönnrot from Finnish and Karelian oral folklore and mythology.It is regarded as the national epic of Finland and is one of the most significant works of Finnish literature...
. Surma is a terrible beast, embodies sudden, violent death and guards the gates of the Tuonela
Tuonela
Tuonela is the realm of the dead or the Underworld in Finnish and Estonian mythology. Tuonela, Tuoni, Manala and Mana are used synonymously. In Estonian mythology, it is called Toonela or Manala....
to prevent escape. It is often described as being a large dog with a snake-tail and can turn you into stone (with a stare). An often-used Finnish metaphor is surman suuhun "into Surma's mouth", as if the victim was mauled to death by Surma.
Surma also means kill, or specifically a kill and the verb surmata, to kill or to slay, is derived from it.