Joukahainen

• #1746
•  Norse (culture)
•  Giant (attribute)
•  Domestic (attribute)
•  Friendly and Dangerous (behaviour)
•  Frost Giants (common type)

A Frost Giant who lived in his icy castle in the furthermost part of the world. At one time, the hero Vainamoinen swam ashore to plant food crops on the land to make it habitable to man. Joukahainen was furious with this trespassing on his land and went out to kill the hero. Vainamoinen used his magical powers to grab the rainbow in the sky and use it as a bow. He shot hawks at the Giant as if they were arrows. When beaten, the Giant was turned into an ice block. Joukahainen begged for mercy and promised to give his sister, Aino to Vainamoinen as a bride. The hero then released the Giant and set off to Pohjola to claim his new wife. However when Aino heard of her fate, she committed suicide in shock and horror. This enraged Joukahainen who met with Vainamoinen to slaughter him in vengeance of his dead sister. The Giant swamped the boat that Vainamoinen was sailing on and left him to drown. However the hero was rescued and returned home while Joukahainen was left grieving in his castle.

Does Joukahainen Exist?

Know something about Joukahainen?