Found in
fairy stories throughout Scandinavia, she is also known as
skogsrå and
holda, among other names. She is a beautiful woman in front but her backside looks like a hollow tree. Some
Huldra also have tails, often either cow or fox. Should you encounter a
huldra, it is considered dangerous to comment on her tail, unless it is done with the utmost delicacy. For instance, if you politely tell her her "garter" or "slip" is showing she may grant you healthy cattle or good fishing according to legend. It is also said that if she blows on a hunter's rifle, he will never miss a shot.
The
huldra is often considered a protector of woods and woodland critters. A seductive creature, she is famous for collecting human lovers as well as for her mercurial nature. She can be just as easily pleased as offended. And you do NOT want to offend her.
She also has a reputation for stealing children & leaving changelings.You can find out more about this lovely lady by clicking on the above links. There are also some entertaining folktales around the web.
As soon as I saw that the
Illustration Friday prompt was
Hollow, I remembered this creature - of all the faeries I read about as a kid, for some reason she really gave me the willies. Couldn't recall her name, but google settled that while distracting me with some wonderful tales. Originally I was going to make a little
clay sculpture, but then I remembered this cool fern-patterned paper I've had for ages. I also checked
DeviantArt for some models & found that the stock photos of
Tw1sted Truth &
WakenTheDead Stock fit the bill
If you get a chance
CLICK HERE & see what other fun pieces have been submitted to
Illustration Friday this week. Or even better, submit your own!
I've decided I'd better start paying more attention to my neglected
Etsy Shops, so this piece is now available. Just click
HERE for info & detailed pics of
The Huldra. Hopefully I'll get some more pieces listed this week.
Final note: New giveaway this week. 1 random winner to be drawn on 7/16. Prize is 250 customized stamps from
UPrinting.com. What would you do with 250 free stickers, designed by You? Just leave an answer in comments to be entered in drawing. The prize sponsor,
Uprinting.com does have a couple of disclaimers.
CLICK HERE for details
