The Northern Lights have been the source of many myths and legends since ancient times. Some of the most popular are:
Most of the Eskimo ethnical groups in North America and Greenland believed that the Northern Lights were the spirits of the dead.
Scandinavian settlers, such as those belonging to the Norse culture, believed that they were a bridge connecting the earth and the home of the Viking gods.
Sweden sees the Aurora as a sign of good news and prosperity, promising good harvests for farmers and great catches for local fishermen.
The Icelandic people have associated the lights with childbirth, believing that the lights would relieve the pain of delivery.
The Chukchi, an indigenous people living much further east from Murmansk in Russia, believe the lights are an area of heaven rarely seen, the home of those who died a violent death. Old Russian texts from the 15th century describe the northern lights as heavenly armies fighting.
Some believed that the aurora was a massive fire dragon who would descend to earth while the men of the village were away in order to allure the womenfolk.