Huldra
from a root meaning covered or secret
A seductive forest spirit of Scandinavian folklore with a hidden animal tail.
The huldra is a beautiful but inhuman forest creature from Norwegian and Swedish folklore. She is believed to guard the woods and can be kind to those who show her respect, though she hides a cow's or fox's tail beneath her clothes.
- She hides a cow or fox tail under long clothes.
- Swedish name is skogsrå or Tallemaja.
- Sámi name is ulda.
- Male version is called huldrekall.
- Guarded charcoal burners' kilns in exchange for food.
What it is
The huldra is a figure from Scandinavian folklore described as a seductive forest creature. In Norway, she is called the huldra, while Swedish traditions name her the skogsrå or Tallemaja. The Sámi people know her as ulda. She is part of a group of nature spirits known as rå, which also includes water and mountain guardians. Though often depicted as beautiful, she possesses an inhuman trait: a hairy animal tail, usually that of a cow or fox, and sometimes a back resembling a hollow tree trunk. This feature is carefully concealed by long garments.
Where it comes from
The name derives from a word meaning covered or secret. Scholars suggest the figure may originally relate to the divine völva Huld and the German Holda. A male version exists in Norwegian tales, called the huldrekall, who is linked to underground dwellers known as tusser. The concept appears in collected folktales by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe, preserving these legends for later generations.
Huldra, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Nordic folklore
What it is for
The huldra is believed to watch over charcoal burners and their kilns. If treated with respect, she is said to wake the workers if trouble arises, allowing them to sleep safely. In return, the workers leave provisions for her in a designated spot. This relationship highlights her role as a guardian of the forest and its resources, rewarding kindness with protection.
Peoples and places
The figure is central to Norwegian and Swedish lore, with variations in naming across regions. Place names throughout Scandinavia reflect her presence, such as Hulderheim in Norway and Ulddaidvárri in Sámi territory. These toponyms mark areas associated with the hidden folk. Danish sites like Huldremose also connect to the legend, showing the wide distribution of these beliefs across the Nordic world.
At a glance: who, where and when
Peoples
Belief worlds
What people believe
Folklore holds that the huldra belongs to a race of beings rather than a single individual. She is viewed as a local deity or spirit ruling a specific area, similar to other rå figures. Her dual nature combines human beauty with animalistic traits, reflecting the wild and untamed aspects of the forest. Respect for her is essential, as she controls the safety of those who work within her domain.
How scholars and sceptics see it
Anthropologists and historians study the huldra through collected folktales and linguistic analysis. Researchers note connections to older divine figures like Huld and Holda. The existence of place names provides evidence of widespread belief in these entities. Modern interpretations appear in literature and games, keeping the figure alive in popular culture while scholars examine its roots in traditional Nordic mythology.
Compare and confuse
The huldra is related to other European nature spirits. Swedish lore identifies her as the skogsrå, while Sámi tradition calls her ulda. Similar entities include the Icelandic huldufólk and various woodland nymphs. These figures share traits of guarding natural spaces and interacting with humans who enter their territories without proper respect.
Today
The huldra remains a recognizable figure in modern media. She appears in video games, novels, and films, often retaining her core traits of beauty and hidden tails. Authors and artists use her image to evoke Scandinavian atmosphere. While no longer worshipped, the legend persists in cultural storytelling and entertainment.
Questions people ask about Huldra
What is a huldra?
A huldra is a seductive forest creature from Scandinavian folklore. She is believed to be beautiful but hides an animal tail and sometimes a tree-like back beneath her clothing.
Where does the huldra come from?
She originates in Norwegian and Swedish folklore. The Sámi people know her as ulda, and she is part of the broader Nordic tradition of nature spirits called rå.
What does the name mean?
The name huldra comes from a root meaning covered or secret. This reflects her habit of hiding her true, inhuman form from human observers.
Good reading and sources
- Hulder on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Hulder", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.
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