# Ilmarinen — The Kalevala character guide > Ilmarinen in The Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot. **Role:** major **Also known as:** dear Ilmarinen, young Ilmarinen, Wicked Ilmarinen **First appearance:** 0004-rune-i-birth-of-wainamoinen ## Snapshot The eternal smith who forged the heavens themselves, he is wooed northward to hammer the Sampo in exchange for a bride. ## Who they are Ilmarinen is the master craftsman of Kalevala, a smith whose skill predates the earth and whose forge can shape anything from sky-arches to the miraculous Sampo. His tension lies in the bargain he strikes with Louhi: he must create a treasure for the Northland in exchange for her daughter, binding his art to a rival's demands. As the second great hero, his labor and his longing for love set the epic's central exchange in motion and shadow the fates of both Kalevala and Pohyola. ## Relationships ### [Wainamoinen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/wainamoinen) _friendship_ Ilmarinen and Wainamoinen are fellow heroes and companions, often collaborating on quests and adventures. ### [Kullervo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/kullervo) _family_ Ilmarinen's wife (Kullervo's sister) is mistreated by Ilmarinen, leading Kullervo to seek revenge against his brother-in-law. ### [Lemminkainen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/lemminkainen) _friendship_ Ilmarinen and Lemminkainen are comrades in arms, working together on various heroic exploits. ### [Mariatta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/mariatta) _romantic_ Ilmarinen is a suitor to Mariatta, but their relationship is strained by his jealousy and her divine destiny. ### [Wainamoinen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/wainamoinen) _friendship_ Ilmarinen and Wainamoinen are fellow heroes and companions, often collaborating on quests and adventures. ### [Lemminkainen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/lemminkainen) _friendship_ Ilmarinen and Lemminkainen are comrades in arms, working together on various heroic exploits. ### [Lemminkainen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/lemminkainen) _friendship_ Ilmarinen and Lemminkainen are comrades in arms, working together on various heroic exploits. ### [Kullervo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/kullervo) _family_ Ilmarinen's wife (Kullervo's sister) is mistreated by Ilmarinen, leading Kullervo to seek revenge against his brother-in-law. ### [Wainamoinen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/wainamoinen) _friendship_ Ilmarinen and Wainamoinen are fellow heroes and companions, often collaborating on quests and adventures. ### [Kullervo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/kullervo) _family_ Ilmarinen's wife (Kullervo's sister) is mistreated by Ilmarinen, leading Kullervo to seek revenge against his brother-in-law. ## In the story ### [The Kalevala](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/the-kalevala) Skilled smith and hero, mentioned as a key figure. ### [Proem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/proem) Mentioned as the smith from whose forge the songs were taken. ### [Rune IV: The Fate of Aino](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-iv-the-fate-of-aino) Not directly present; referenced only as a potential suitor in the mother's urging. ### [Rune VII: Wainamoinen’s Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-vii-wainamoinen-s-rescue) Referenced by Wainamoinen as the smith who can forge the Sampo, having forged the heavens. ### [Rune IX: Origin of Iron](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-ix-origin-of-iron) The blacksmith who forges iron into tools and inadvertently causes iron to become violent. ### [Rune X: Ilmarinen Forges the Sampo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-x-ilmarinen-forges-the-sampo) The blacksmith who forges the Sampo in Pohyola but fails to win the Maiden of Pohyola as his bride. ### [Rune XVII: Wainamoinen Finds the Lost-Word](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xvii-wainamoinen-finds-the-lost-word) The worthy blacksmith forges iron shoes, copper gloves, and a metal staff for Wainamoinen's journey. ### [Rune XVIII: The Rival Suitors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xviii-the-rival-suitors) Upon learning of Wainamoinen's quest, he prepares himself with a bath and fine garments, then sets out as a rival suitor. ### [Rune XIX: Ilmarinen's Wooing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xix-ilmarinen-s-wooing) The hero-blacksmith who undertakes three magical tasks to win the Maiden of the Rainbow, forging tools and using magic to overcome serpents, bears, and wolves. ### [Rune XX: The Brewing of Beer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xx-the-brewing-of-beer) The blacksmith whose marriage to the Maiden of Pohyola is the occasion for the wedding feast. ### [Rune XXI: Ilmarinen’s Wedding-Feast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxi-ilmarinen-s-wedding-feast) The bridegroom arriving at Pohyola for his wedding feast; welcomed by Louhi and served the finest food and drink. ### [Rune XXII: The Bride’s Farewell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxii-the-bride-s-farewell) The bridegroom, waiting to lead his bride away. ### [Rune XXIII: Osmotar the Bride-Adviser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxiii-osmotar-the-bride-adviser) The husband of the bride being instructed; referenced as the hero whose household the bride must serve. ### [Rune XXIV: The Bride’s Farewell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxiv-the-bride-s-farewell) The bridegroom receiving counsel from Osmotar on how to treat his new wife. ### [Rune XXV: Wainamoinen’s Wedding-Songs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxv-wainamoinen-s-wedding-songs) Returns home as the bridegroom with his bride from Sariola. ### [Rune XXVII: The Unwelcome Guest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxvii-the-unwelcome-guest) Not directly present in this chapter. ### [Rune XXX: The Frost-Fiend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxx-the-frost-fiend) Mentioned as the blacksmith whose anvil Lemminkainen threatens to use against the Frost. ### [Rune XXXI: Kullerwoinen Son of Evil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxi-kullerwoinen-son-of-evil) The blacksmith to whom Kullervo is sold; forges an axe for Kullervo. ### [Rune XXXII: Kullervo as a Shepherd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxii-kullervo-as-a-shepherd) Blacksmith and master of Kullervo, mentioned as the host. ### [Rune XXXIII: Kullervo and the Cheat-Cake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxiii-kullervo-and-the-cheat-cake) The blacksmith whose wife is the hostess; he is mentioned as the master of the household but does not appear directly in the chapter. ### [Rune XXXIV: Kullervo Finds His Tribe-Folk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxiv-kullervo-finds-his-tribe-folk) Discovers his wife's death and mourns bitterly, but does not confront Kullervo as the young magician has already departed. ### [Ilmarinen's Bride of Gold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxvii-ilmarinen-s-bride-of-gold) Grieving blacksmith who forges a golden bride but finds her lifeless and cold. ### [Rune XXXVIII: Ilmarinen’s Fruitless Wooing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxviii-ilmarinen-s-fruitless-wooing) The eternal metal-artist returns to Pohyola to woo Louhi's second daughter after his first wife's death. He abducts the maiden, but she mocks him, and he transforms her into a sea-gull. ### [Rune XXXIX: Wainamoinen's Sailing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxix-wainamoinen-s-sailing) Forces the fire-sword and rows the ship with master-magic, but is hesitant about the sea journey. ### [Birth of the Harp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xl-birth-of-the-harp) Helps Lemminkainen and tries to slay the pike with his sword, but breaks it. ### [Rune XLII: Capture of the Sampo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xlii-capture-of-the-sampo) Rows the war-ship, anoints the locks to open the mountain, and laments the dangers of the voyage. ### [Rune XLIII: The Sampo Lost in the Sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xliii-the-sampo-lost-in-the-sea) Rows the boat and prays to Ukko for protection during the battle. ### [Rune XLIV: Birth of the Second Harp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xliv-birth-of-the-second-harp) The eternal metal-worker who forges a rake of iron with copper teeth at Wainamoinen's request to search the sea for the lost harp. ### [Rune XLVI: Otso the Honey-Eater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xlvi-otso-the-honey-eater) The blacksmith; forges a magic spear with triple-pointed lancet and copper handle for Wainamoinen's hunt. ### [Rune XLVII: Louhi Steals Sun, Moon, and Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xlvii-louhi-steals-sun-moon-and-fire) Blacksmith brother who aids Wainamoinen in building a boat and weaving a net to catch the fire-fish. ### [Rune XLVIII: Capture of the Fire-Fish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xlviii-capture-of-the-fire-fish) The blacksmith who assists in fishing and suffers burns from the escaping fire, later healing himself with frost. ### [Rune XLIX: Restoration of the Sun and Moon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xlix-restoration-of-the-sun-and-moon) The blacksmith who first tries to forge new Sun and Moon, then later forges tools for Wainamoinen to break into the cavern. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/ilmarinen - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters