Finnish Folklore: Hela, The Spring Festival

Hela was the beginning of the summer and a festival to celebrate the earth´s fertility. There were many different kinds of superstitions and beliefs connected to Hela. One of the most important Hela symbols was helavalkeat, Hela bonfires. These fires were lit to keep the evil spirits away and to protect the cattle from predators. Wreaths were worn by people. Bells were attached to the wreaths and they were replaced to the heads of cows and horses as well.