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[[Image:Praying_mantis_band.jpg|frame|Dennis Stratton (left, in blue jacket) as a member of Praying Mantis in an undated photo]]
'''Estonian mythology''' is based on primitive [[animism|animistic]] beliefs and is closely related to [[Finnish mythology]]. Some parts of Finnish epic [[Kalevala]] are believed to originate from Estonia and some events, locations and characters may have connections with Estonia as well.
'''Dennis Stratton''' (b. [[November 9]], [[1954]] in [[London]], [[England]]) is a guitar player who was a member of the [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Iron Maiden (band)|Iron Maiden]] from [[January]] [[1980]] to [[October]] [[1980]].
During this time, he participated in the recording of the group's first album, [[Iron Maiden (album)|Iron Maiden]], the ''Women in Uniform'' EP, some subsequent singles and the ''Live!! + 1'' live album.
Intriguingly, it has been suggested, by ethnologist and former president [[Lennart Meri]] among others, that a meteorite which passed dramatically over populated regions and landed on the island of [[Saaremaa]] around 3,000-4,000 years ago was a cataclysmic event that may have influenced the mythology of neighboring countries, especially those from whose vantage point a "sun" seemed to set in the east.
Since his departure from Iron Maiden, Stratton has played with bands such as Lionheart and, more recently, Praying Mantis.
Estonians made offerings to local fertility and thunder gods. The Setonian ethnic group worshipped their [[Peko]] idol until modern times. After the reformation, also old Catholic saints were confused with local deities and revered as "gods".
==External links==
In 19th century literates of [[Tartu University]] started to study Estonian mythology. F.R. Faelmann and [[Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald]] compiled the [[Kalevipoeg]] and described the following pantheon (which is not entirely authentic folklore):
*[http://www.getreadytorock.com/10questions/dennis_stratton.htm Interview With Dennis Stratton (2003)], Accessed July 10, 2005.
*[http://leatherwarriors.web.infoseek.co.jp/Lionheart/dg1_j.html Dennis Stratton Discography], Accessed July 10, 2005.
*[http://www.praying-mantis.com/ Praying Mantis fan site]
The supreme god is [[Taara]]. He is celebrated in sacred oak forests around [[Tartu]]. [[Uku]] is his other name. Ukus daughters are Lindu/[[Linda (Estonian mythology)|Linda]] and [[Jutta]], the queen of the birds.
Uku has two sons: [[Kõu]] (Thunder) and [[Pikker]] (Lightning), who protect the people against Vanatühi, the lord of the Underworld and demons. Pikker possesses powerful musical instrument, which makes demons tremble and flee. He has naughty daughter Ilmatütar (Air Maiden). [[Vanatühi]] (The Devil) is depicted as giant farmer with wife, children, farm hands and maidens. Estonian devils are usually more stupid than malevolent. Vanatühi/Vanapagan can be easily outwitted by smart people, like Crafty Hans, his farm hand. Another 'devil' is Sarvik (Horned One) is Tühi's brother in law. He is the main enemy of giant [[Kalevipoeg]], the king of Estonians.
{{IronMaiden}}
==Estonian legendary heroes, gods and spirits==
*[[Haldjas]]; (the ruler) Elf, fairy, protector of some area or animal/plant species
*Hämarik; the goddess of the dusk
*Ilmatütar; (Daughter of the air/world)
*[[Ilo]] (Joy); The hostess of feasts
*Jeekim; a ghost, lives in graveyards
*[[Jutta]]; queen of the birds, daughter of Taara
*[[Kalevipoeg]], Kalevine; giant, mythical ancient king of Estonia
*Kaval Ants (Crafted/Sly Hans); wicked farm hand who deceives his master Vanapagan, the Devil
*Koerakoonlane; half animal warrior with dog snout (probably after medieval Mongoloid solders of invading Russian armies).
*Koit; God of Dawn, eternal lover of Hämarik
*[[Kurat]], Kuri, Vanakuri (the angry one); the devil
*Kõu (Thunder); son of Uku, brother of Pikker
*[[Leiger]]; (player) Giant living in [[Hiiumaa]] island
*Lapi nõid; witch of Lapland
*[[Linda (Estonian mythology)|Linda]]; mother of Kalevipoeg.
*Maaema; the mother Earth
*Maa-alune; the dwarf living under the earth
*Olevipoeg; the successor of Kalevipoeg, city builder, related to [[St Olaf]]
*Osmi; parallel name of Kalevine
*[[Rõugutaja]]; a god, protector of the rye crops, women in labor and the city of [[Narva]]
*[[Pikne]], Pikker (the long one); thunder god
*Puuk; parallel name of Tulihänd
*[[Peko]]; [[Setonian]] god of fertility and brewing
*Põrguneitsi; virgin of Hell
*[[Suur Tõll]] - giant hero living in [[Saaremaa]] Island.
*[[Tharapita]] or [[Taara]]; the [[Osilian]] god of war, related to [[Thor]]
*Tulihänd or Pisuhänd (Tail of Fire); flying house elf, helps to gather and protect the wealth
*Tuuslar; sorcerer living in Finland who tried to rape Linda
*Udres-Kudres; serf, called "Son of the Sun", hero of folksongs
*[[Uku]] - the supreme god
*[[Vanatühi]], "Old empty one", Vanapagan "Old pagan"; the devil depicted as dumb giant farmer
*[[Vanemuine]] (The ancient one); the god of songs
[[Category:Iron Maiden|Stratton, Dennis]]
==Christian saints misinterpreted as "gods"==
[[Category:1954 births|Stratton, Dennis]]
[[Category:British guitarists|Stratton, Dennis]]
[[Category:Londoners|Stratton, Dennis]]
[[es:Dennis Stratton]]
*Jüri ([[St George]]); god of agriculture
[[fr:Dennis Stratton]]
*Laurits ([[Saint Lawrence|St Lawrence]]); god of fire
[[no:Dennis Stratton]]
*Mart ([[St Martin]]); god of fertility
*Tõnn ([[St Anthony]]); god of the crops and pigs
==Estonian mythical animals==
* [[Libahunt]]; The werewolf
* [[Sinilind]]; A magic bluebird
==Estonian mythical objects==
* [[White Ship]]; (''Valge laev'') The mythical ship that brings freedom or takes people away to better land.
* [[Hat of nails]]; 'Küüntest kübar'' makes the bearer (usually Vanatühi) invisible.
==Estonian fairy tales==
* A Tale Of The Tontlawald
* The Child who came from an Egg
* The Cooking of Languages
* Dragon of the North
* The Grateful Prince
* The Headless Dwarfs
* Mikku & the Trees
* Tiidu The Piper
* The Underground Workers
* Why Trees Whisper
* The Young Man Who Would Have His Eyes Opened
[[Category:Estonian mythology]]
[[pt:Mitologia estoniana]]
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