# Ukko — The Kalevala character guide > Ukko in The Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** the Finnish Ukko, mighty Ukko, generous Ukko, omniscient Ukko, O gracious Ukko, benignant Ukko, great Ukko, Lightning Ukko **First appearance:** 0004-rune-i-birth-of-wainamoinen ## Snapshot The thunder-god of the Finnish heavens, whose sword and storms decide battles and whose silence is as weighty as his lightning. ## Who they are Ukko rules the upper sky, the old man of the heavens who sends rain, thunder, and the magic blade that turns the tide of combat. He answers Kullervo's prayer for a war-sword, and that gift becomes the instrument of a terrible slaughter. His role is to remind readers that even the greatest heroes of the Kalevala act under a higher, older power whose favors can be as dangerous as they are generous. ## Relationships ### [Wainamoinen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/wainamoinen) _professional_ Ukko, the supreme god, occasionally aids Wainamoinen with divine interventions and magical gifts. ### [Wainamoinen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/wainamoinen) _professional_ Ukko, the supreme god, occasionally aids Wainamoinen with divine interventions and magical gifts. ### [Wainamoinen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/wainamoinen) _professional_ Ukko, the supreme god, occasionally aids Wainamoinen with divine interventions and magical gifts. ## In the story ### [Rune I: Birth of Wainamoinen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-i-birth-of-wainamoinen) Invoked by Ilmatar for deliverance during her travail; the supreme god of the heavens. ### [Rune II: Wainamoinen's Sowing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-ii-wainamoinen-s-sowing) The god of the heavens who sends rain clouds to nourish Wainamoinen's barley crop. ### [Rune VII: Wainamoinen’s Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-vii-wainamoinen-s-rescue) Invoked by Wainamoinen in a prayer to return to his home and country. ### [Rune IX: Origin of Iron](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-ix-origin-of-iron) The creator god who originates iron and is praised for healing Wainamoinen. ### [Rune XI: Lemminkainen’s Lament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xi-lemminkainen-s-lament) Invoked by Lemminkainen's mother in praise for the bride. ### [Rune XII: Kyllikki’s Broken Vow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xii-kyllikki-s-broken-vow) Invoked by Lemminkainen for protection and for his fire-sword and lightning arrows. ### [Rune XIV: Death of Lemminkainen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xiv-death-of-lemminkainen) The supreme god is invoked by Lemminkainen for aid; he sends iron hail to subdue the flaming horse of Hisi. ### [Rune XV: Lemminkainen’s Restoration](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xv-lemminkainen-s-restoration) Invoked by Lemminkainen's mother as the supreme creator who can revive the dead. ### [Rune XVIII: The Rival Suitors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xviii-the-rival-suitors) Invoked by both Wainamoinen and Ilmarinen for protection and favorable weather on their journeys. ### [Rune XIX: Ilmarinen's Wooing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xix-ilmarinen-s-wooing) Invoked as the supreme deity; Ilmarinen calls upon Ukko to smite the serpents, and the maiden swore her oath before Ukko. ### [Rune XXI: Ilmarinen’s Wedding-Feast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxi-ilmarinen-s-wedding-feast) Invoked by Louhi and Ilmarinen for blessings on the feast and the marriage. ### [Rune XXIV: The Bride’s Farewell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxiv-the-bride-s-farewell) Mentioned as the giver of the good bride. ### [Rune XXVIII: The Mother’s Counsel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxviii-the-mother-s-counsel) Lemminkainen prays to Ukko for a cloak of vapor to aid his escape. ### [Rune XXXII: Kullervo as a Shepherd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxii-kullervo-as-a-shepherd) Invoked as the omnipresent protector of the herd. ### [Rune XXXIII: Kullervo and the Cheat-Cake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxiii-kullervo-and-the-cheat-cake) Invoked by both the hostess and Kullervo; the hostess prays to Ukko to slay Kullervo, while Kullervo prays to Ukko to slay the hostess. ### [Rune XXXIV: Kullervo Finds His Tribe-Folk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxiv-kullervo-finds-his-tribe-folk) Invoked by Kullervo in his lament as the god who gave him form and feature, but whom he feels has abandoned him. ### [Rune XXXVI: Kullerwoinen’s Victory and Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxvi-kullerwoinen-s-victory-and-death) Kullervo prays to Ukko for a sword of battle, and Ukko grants him his blade of magic powers. ### [Ilmarinen's Bride of Gold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxvii-ilmarinen-s-bride-of-gold) Invoked by Ilmarinen, who wishes the golden maiden could breathe Ukko's breath. ### [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) Invoked by Ilmarinen and Wainamoinen as the supreme protector and creator. ### [Rune XLV: Birth of the Nine Diseases](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xlv-birth-of-the-nine-diseases) The god of thunder, prayed to by both Louhi and Wainamoinen for destruction and healing respectively. ### [Rune XLVI: Otso the Honey-Eater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xlvi-otso-the-honey-eater) The supreme god; praised by Wainamoinen for granting the bear and invoked for peace and plenty. ### [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) Creator who walks the heavens, strikes lightning, and creates new fire to replace the stolen light. ### [Rune XLVIII: Capture of the Fire-Fish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xlviii-capture-of-the-fire-fish) God of love and mercy invoked by Ilmarinen to send snow and hoar-frost to heal his burns. ### [Rune L: Mariatta—Wainamoinen’s Departure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-l-mariatta-wainamoinen-s-departure) Invoked by Mariatta for protection during her time of trouble. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters/ukko - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kalevala_se/characters