Is the raven a harbinger of death—or a winged messenger of comfort? What does the cuckoo’s call reveal, and how has the swan’s symbolism been interpreted across cultures? And why was it once customary to hang a wooden sleep-bird above a child’s cradle? In her new book, Soul Birds, Reetta Ranta takes readers on a captivating journey into bird-related folklore.

In the traditions of the Finnic peoples, birds carry souls, protect humans, and deliver messages. They move between the realms of the living and the dead—some foretelling death, others bringing fortune. Migratory birds, such as the crane, long honored as the king of birds, were believed to travel the Milky Way to the mythical Bird Home (Lintukoto), a warm paradise that northern peoples could only long for during the harsh winter. On their wings also flew the tiny inhabitants of that distant paradise.

Non-fiction author Reetta Ranta—who as a child had a pet crow perched on her shoulder—reveals in Soul Birds how birds have been seen in folklore, mythology, and the everyday lives of modern people. The book draws richly from Finno-Ugric traditions while also weaving in bird stories from other cultures, bringing forward forgotten knowledge of the age-old connection between humans and birds.

“I wrote this book out of love for birds and our unique cultural heritage, where they play such a vital role. I wanted to preserve these beliefs, stories, and experiences so they would not be forgotten—and to remind us that we, too, can form meaningful relationships with birds, finding comfort and joy in their presence just as our ancestors did,” Ranta explains.

Soul Birds presents 16 bird species and the myths, beliefs, and stories attached to them. In Finnish tradition, certain birds held profound symbolic weight: the goldeneye duck that laid the world egg, the swan that guarded the gates of the underworld and moved freely between realms, the raven with its mysterious blackness, and the ancient, haunting cry of the crane echoing across northern marshes.

For many Finns, birds remain deeply significant today. Swallows nesting in the yard, sparrows visiting winter feeders, the hoot of an owl at night, or the blackbird’s evening song are still moments of connection—often carrying strong emotional or even spiritual meaning.

“In interviews for this book, it became clear that soul bird experiences are not relics of the past. The presence of a bird at the moment of death—or as death approaches—is something that many people today have also experienced, just like our ancestors,” Ranta notes.

The book also highlights scientific research on birds’ impact on human wellbeing and biodiversity, raising timely questions about ecological loss. How, for instance, should we interpret the sparrow’s decline in light of folklore that once saw their disappearance as a sign of impending wars or natural disasters?

Visually enchanting and intellectually engaging, Soul Birds is a work for anyone fascinated by nature, mythology, and the enduring bond between humans and birds.

From the creator of the acclaimed TV series Back to Nature, Reetta Ranta continues her journey into myths and traditions. Her previous books, Timeless Nordic Rituals and Sacred Trees, have resonated with readers seeking a deeper connection with nature, ancestral wisdom, and spiritual heritage. Finnish folklore is drawing international attention as well: the translation rights for  Timeless Nordic Rituals  have already been sold to Germany and the United States.

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Reetta Ranta
Sielulinnut (Soul Birds)
ISBN 978-951-858-742-5
144 pages
SKS Kirjat, 2025

Pyhät puut is published in Finnish in March 2025 by SKS Kirjat, the Finnish Literature Society’s publishing house (est. 1831). The book’s international rights are represented by Ahlback Agency