 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2022) |
 "Huldra's Nymphs" (1909) by Bernard Evans Ward | |
| Grouping | Legendary creature |
|---|---|
| Sub grouping | Humanoid |
| Similar entities | Siren, succubus, mermaid |
| Country | Scandinavia |
| Region | Europe |
A hulder (or huldra) is a seductive forest creature found in Scandinavian folklore. Her name derives from a root meaning "covered" or "secret".[1] In Norwegian folklore, she is known as huldra ("the [archetypal] hulder", though folklore presupposes that there is an entire Hulder race and not just a single individual). She is known as the skogsrå "forest spirit" or Tallemaja "pine tree Mary" in Swedish folklore, and ulda in Sámi folklore. Her name suggests that she is originally the same being as the völva divine figure Huld and the German Holda.[2]
The word hulder is only used of a female; a "male hulder" is called a huldrekall and also appears in Norwegian folklore. This being is closely related to other underground dwellers, usually called tusser (sg., tusse).
Though described as beautiful, the huldra is noted for having a distinctive inhuman feature—an animal's tail (usually a cow's or a fox's) and/or a back resembling a hollowed-out tree.
- ^ Hellström, AnneMarie. Jag vill så gärna berätta (in Norwegian). ISBN 9179080022.
- ^ "Nordisk familjebok". runeberg.org (in Swedish). 1 January 1909.