The Nøkken, or Näcken, is a dangerous creature from Scandinavian folklore. They are water-dwelling shapeshifters who usually appear in the shape of a naked man playing a violin or similar instrument, or a beautiful white horse. They lure unwary travelers into the water and drown them.

These creatures are sometimes called Fossegrim, but this name is applied almost solely to the most harmless of these water spirits. Stories exist in which a Fossegrim agrees to live with a human who fell in love with them or agree to help travelers, for a price.

Similar creatures exist in all Germanic mythologies.

A Selkie is a creature from Scandinavian and Scottish folklore that takes the shape of a seal. However, the seal is able to shed its skin and appear human.

If one were to hide the Selkie’s seal skin it would render them unable to transform back. Selkies are only allowed to make contact with a human for a short period of time, after which they may not see the human again for seven years. But this can be avoided by stealing their skin to prevent them from transforming. In many stories this is the case; a man will steal and hide a female Selkie’s seal skin in order to have control over her. If the Selkie later finds her skin she will return to the sea, abandoning her husband and often her children as well. 

A Tomte, or Nisse, is a creature from Scandinavian folklore said to look like an old man. In pagan times they were believed to protect homes and farms from misfortune if they were treated well. If treated badly they would cause trouble.

After Christianization they, like many other folklore creatures, were demonized. However, the Nisse has since recovered from this slander and has become a popular Christmas figure. In the late 19th century Nisse were said to bring presents on Christmas, and the image has since then blurred with that of the American Santa Claus. The tradition of leaving out a bowl of rice porridge for the Nisse on Christmas Eve is still practiced in many places.

In Pagan Finland the Brown Bear was considered the most sacred of animals. The bear was referred to only by euphemisms, as it’s name was believed to hold too much power. 

Killing a bear was followed by a great feast, a large part of which was dedicated to convincing the bear’s spirit that it had died a natural death so that it would reincarnate back into the forest. 

The brown bear is also the national animal of Finland.

The Yule Goat is one of the oldest Scandinavian and Northern European Yule and Christmas symbols. It stems from Germanic pagan celebrations of Yule, though it’s specific connotation was different in each country.

In Finland, the Yule Goat was a hideous creature said to demand gifts on Yule/Christmas, but in Scandinavia it was said to be a spirit who appeared to make sure holiday preparations were done correctly. During the 19th century the role switched to that of a gift-giver, and by the end of the century the image of a goat was replaced entirely by that of Father Christmas. 

Today in Scandinavia straw goats are still a popular Christmas decoration, and Santa Claus’ Finnish name, Joulupukki, translates to ‘Yule Goat’.

A Huldra is a creature out of Scandinavian folklore.

They are said to be stunningly beautiful, and often naked, women with long hair. However, from behind their back is hollow like a dead tree and they have animals tails, usually that of a cow. 

There are different versions of the lore surrounding Huldra. Some say that they are nice to Colliers (people in the coal industry), and will watch their kilns when treated with respect. Other stories say the Huldra lure men into the forest or into the underworld and steal human babies to replace with their own offspring.

Trolls are the most popular creature out of Scandinavian folklore.

Scandinavian Trolls are generally depicted as large, hairy, slow, and stupid. There are many different kinds of trolls, some which live in mountains and caves, others under bridges or at the bottom of lakes. They have a hatred of church bells or anything Christian, particularly the smell of Christians. They are also known to play tricks on humans, sometimes changing their appearance to trick a human into giving them what they want. Trolls can grow to enormous sizes, and turn to stone in the sunlight. Some old stories say that mountains are actually enormous trolls that were turned to stone many years ago.

In Iceland, belief in the Huldufolk (“hidden folk”), or elves, is so strong that building plans are altered to suit them, roads are diverted around their lands, and people even build tiny houses and churches for them. Over half the population of Iceland believes in the possibility that these folk exist.