Lempo (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈle̞mpo̞]) is a sort of fiend from Finnish folklore and mythology. Lempo is the god of love and fertility in Finnish mythology.
After Christianity came to Finland, the reputation of Lempo worsened: they are portrayed in the folklore usually as erratic spirit, as love can be capricious, even dangerous, and it could even take control of a being and turn them to destruction.
Lempo brought down the hero Väinämöinen with the help of his two demon cohorts, Hiisi and Paha. [1]
The words "lempo" and "hiisi" are also used as very mild swear words in the Finnish language. Piru is a slightly stronger swear word. This is also work of Christians, they weren't originally bad words.
See also
- 47171 Lempo, minor planet[1]
References
- ^ a b "47171 Lempo (1999 TC36)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 9 October 2017.