Stunning Images and Legends of the Northern Lights – Aurora Borealis
July 25, 2010 by admin
Filed under Featured, Places and Nature
Aurora Borealis, also known as northern and southern (polar) lights or aurorae (singular: aurora), are natural light displays in the sky, usually observed at night, particularly in the polar regions. They typically occur in the ionosphere. They are also referred to as polar auroras. This is a misnomer however, because they are commonly visible between 65 to 72 degrees north and south latitudes, which would place it in a ring just within the Arctic and Antarctic circles. Aurorae occur deeper inside the polar regions, but these are infrequent occurrences, and these are often invisible to the naked eye. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_%28astronomy%29)
Pretty stunning stuff. Must be incredible to see it live. We have never seen it live but we found amazing picture of the Northern Lights from space and exciting information on legends built around it.
In Bulfinch’s Mythology, Thomas Bulfinch claimed in 1855 that in Norse mythology: “The Valkyrior are warlike virgins, mounted upon horses and armed with helmets and spears. /…/ When they ride forth on their errand, their armour sheds a strange flickering light, which flashes up over the northern skies, making what men call the “aurora borealis”, or “Northern Lights”. “
An old Scandinavian name translates as “herring flash”. The northerners believed the aurora was a reflection cast by large swarms of herring into the sky. Yet a different Scandinavian source calls them ”the fires that surround the North and South edges of the world.”
The Finns named the northern lights revolution, or fox fires. According to their legend, foxes made of fire lived in Lapland. And, the fox fires were the sparks they took up into the atmosphere on their tails.
In Estonian the northern lights are called virmalised, which is a spirit being of higher realms. Some are bad guys and some are good.
The Sami people believed that a person should be careful and quiet when in the presence of the northern lights (called guovssahasat in Northern Sami). To mock the northern lights or singing about them was considered dangerous and could be reason for the lights to come down on a person and kill him/her.
The Algonquin think the lights are their ancestors dancing around a fire.
In Latvian folklore the aurora borealis, especially if red and observed in winter, are fighting souls of dead warriors especially if it is red and seen in the winter. It is an omen foretelling disaster.
Russian folklore associates the northern lights with the fire dragon (“Ognenniy Zmey”). The dragon came to women to seduce them when their husbands were gone.
The northern lights in Scotland were known as “the mirrie dancers” or na fir-chlis. The dance often ended in a fight – “the mirrie dancers bled each other last night”. The appearance of the lights also predicted bad weather.
Prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush believed that the aurora borealis was the reflection of the mother lode of all gold.
And, the Inuit people of Alaska say that the “shadows” within the display are relatives and friends who have gone to the sky. They march and dance to remind the living people of their presence. When dogs bark and howl at the sounds of the aurora borealis, it is because the dogs recognize their companions.
Can Babies and Men Switch Roles?
Men are often accused of acting childish or being big babies.On the other hands there are certain children who act very maturely for their age, like they are grownups (although, those cases are far less frequent). How would it look like if men and babies switched roles? It would be a funny, funny world indeed. These photos can give you a sneak preview of this hilarious impossible situation. Have a look to these funny man babies’ pictures that will make you smile and give as your answer to the question. Can babies and men switch roles?
Obama and Sarkozy hanging out
This is what happens when America meets Europe. A huge cultural shock occurs, and then we realize that we are not so different after all. Just watch how Barrack Obama and Nicolas Sarkozy found their mutual language. Looks like president Obama will be taking flights to France more often.
Cutest Silent Emotions – By Babies
The babies bring out all innocent emotions in us that bring us to our childhood and bring a lot of joy in our hearts. It cannot be stressed enough how important is to all of us to take a step back from everyday life and bring back the basic and the cleanest emotions to our life.
These babies silently demonstrate the meaning of innocence and cuteness and were captured by Martin Paul. Excellent job.
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Nature’s Wrath: Humans Be Nice!
April 4, 2009 by admin
Filed under Featured, Lifestyle, Places and Nature
The human kind is the supreme ruler of the planet Earth. Top of the food chain, the most intelligent and powerful being. We are so full of ourselves that we never stop to think about the consequence. Why should we? We are so mighty that nothing can hurt us!
On the other hand these pictures tell a completely different story. Just some examples of nature’s display of its might. Indeed there is a force that is more powerful than anything we can ever build. Who knows, maybe these are just the warning signs of a planet that has had enough of us and is about to banish us from the face of Earth. Anyway, these are fun to watch.
The Best World News Pics by Reuters
Striking images from around the world. They show everything: humor, natural disasters and other special moments.
We can call it – the most interesting news from around the world in pictures, so as the picture is worth a 1000 words let the pictures speak for themselves, look and you’ll experience the amazing story they tell to you.
Enjoy!!!
Dogs: Nature can go wrong
These images can scare anyone no mater you like dogs or not:
This is not a kind the way you would like your dog to look like, because winning this contest means that your dog has failed badly. Or we could say that nature has failed badly when it comes to your dogs appearance. At least you can look the funny side of this and laugh at the appearance of these ugly dogs (ugliest than I have ever dreamed of anyway).
Watching images of these ugly pets is bound to give you nightmares (so please, proceed with caution through this image gallery). Have fun (if you can), and good luck to you.
