The Northern Lights: A Bridge Between the Visible and Invisible

When we are in Southern Europe, Aurora Borealis seems to belong to a distant, almost mythical world, like a dream that only a journey can make real. Few of us truly imagine standing before such a marvel, and even fewer expect that a stay in Norway might bring about a kind of wonder that never ceases to unfold. Every time I witness the Northern Lights, it feels as if it were the first time as if its beauty were always new, different each time, and forever fresh. This is what I have learned in these places: beauty never becomes routine but is a continuous renewal of awe, an invitation to pause and observe the extraordinary mechanisms of nature.

Here in the Great North, I have discovered that there is an invisible clock that does not follow time but light, marking the moments of life in a realm of darkness that envelops the long Arctic winters. It is a different kind of time, made of light that emerges from the night. It is also surprising to realize that, for such a unique luminous phenomenon, language has adapted, forging new terms and lexemes in an attempt to capture its complexity. Every word, every description seems to reach for something ineffable, something beyond words. In the end, the Aurora Borealis is not just a natural phenomenon—it is the very language of beauty, a luminous dance born from the meeting of the solar wind and the Earth's magnetic field, creating a harmony that never ceases to fascinate and astonish those who watch.

This phenomenon, which captivates our imagination, is a language in which nature and the universe interact in a mysterious and sublime way, a story of light that reminds us how extraordinary our existence on Earth truly is. We see how, in Norwegian, we can name these luminous phenomena that inspire so many people to travel across the world to reach the places where I live in Northern Norway.

The term "Aurora Borealis" is a Latin expression derived from "aurora" (dawn) and "borealis" (from Boreas, the god of the north wind in Greek mythology). The Latin name became established in Western science thanks to the first systematic description of the phenomenon by Danish astronomer Ole Rømer in the 17th century.

In Norwegian, the northern lights are known as "Nordlys", a word composed of "nord" (north) and "lys" (light). Etymologically, "lys" has its roots in Old Norse "ljós", which comes from the Proto-Germanic leuks (light). While describing a luminous phenomenon, this term evokes the concept of "light of the north," linking the aurora to a specific geographical and cultural identity in Norway and the Arctic regions.

The term "kvikksølv", which literally means "mercury," has a figurative meaning that is particularly interesting in describing aurora borealis. The word comes from Danish "kvik" (quick) and "sølv" (silver), referring to the way mercury moves rapidly. In a more poetic and descriptive sense, this term is sometimes used to convey the dynamic and fluid nature of the Northern Lights, whose light seems to flow across the sky like mercury moving ceaselessly in a thermometer.

The “polarnatt” is a phenomenon characteristic of northern regions, where the sun does not rise for a portion of the winter. The word is composed of "polar" (relating to the pole) and "natt" (night), which traces back to Old Norse "nótt", sharing the same root as the Latin "nox" and English "night." Etymologically, this term describes a prolonged period of darkness that favors the observation of aurora borealis, as the absence of sunlight creates the perfect conditions for this celestial display.

The word "lysfenomenet" is a compound term that combines "lys" (light) and "fenomenet" (phenomenon). The term "phenomenon" derives from the Greek phainomenon, meaning "that which appears" or "that which manifests," or from "phainein" (to show, to appear). The use of "lysfenomenet" to describe the Northern Lights suggests a scientific conception of light as a physical event that emerges and becomes visibly manifest in the sky.

The term "nordlysjakt" (aurora hunting) is an expression that merges "nordlys" (northern lights) and "jakt" (hunt). The word "jakt" has a long tradition in Old Norse, deriving from the Proto-Germanic jakō and Old Norse "jaktr", both linked to the concept of "pursuing" or "seeking." In modern usage, "jakt" does not only refer to hunting but also to a passionate and almost adventurous search, as in the case of tourism dedicated to aurora viewing.

The term "mørketid" describes the long period of polar darkness that defines Arctic winters. The word is composed of "mørk" (dark) and "tid" (time). "Mørk" has roots in Old Norse "mørkr", which in turn derives from the Proto-Germanic merkw (dark). "Tid" is a term tracing back to Old Norse "tíð", meaning "time" or "period."

The term "fargepalett", which translates to "palette of colors," beautifully describes the variety of colors that aurora borealis can take in the sky, from green to purple to pink. "Farge" (color) derives from the Proto-Germanic farag, a term directly connected to fara, meaning "to appear" or "to manifest." The word "palette" comes from the French "palette," which in turn originates from the Latin pala, meaning "small shovel." In this context, "fargepalett" suggests a concept of variety and visual richness, an interplay of colors weaving together in the sky.

The etymological analysis of these terms reveals the beauty of a language like Norwegian, but also the deep connection between language and culture. Each word tells the story of a people who live in a land where light and darkness intertwine uniquely. One of the most fascinating aspects of this linguistic journey has been the support of Cecilie, my Norwegian partner, who has patiently and generously guided me in exploring these linguistic roots. She is my “personal aurora”—after all, many northern lights illuminate the sky, but the one that truly surprises is the one that comes from love and the companionship of those who stand by your side, never ceasing to amaze you.

But now, let’s explore this phenomenon from a historical perspective.

For centuries, the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, has captivated the people of Norway, weaving itself into the cultural and historical fabric of the nation. Indigenous groups, such as the Sámi people, alongside Norwegians, have passed down myths, beliefs, and evolving scientific interpretations of this celestial wonder through generations.

Indigenous Sámi Beliefs: Mystical and Spiritual Significance

The Sámi people, indigenous to Northern Norway and other parts of Scandinavia, have long regarded the aurora with a mixture of reverence and caution. For them, the lights were more than just a natural phenomenon; they were spirits of the dead or celestial omens.

Among their beliefs was the notion that whistling at the Northern Lights could summon the spirits down, leading to misfortune. Similarly, waving at the lights was considered disrespectful and risked angering these spectral forces. Some saw the aurora as guiding the souls of the deceased to the afterlife, reinforcing its deep spiritual significance. In Sámi shamanism, the lights were linked to the mystical journeys of the “noaidi", or shamans, who could communicate with the spirit world.

Photo: Marcela Cardenas / www.nordnorge.com

Viking Age: Battles and Gods

During the Viking Age (8th to 11th centuries), the Northern Lights took on a different meaning, deeply tied to Norse mythology and warrior culture. Some legends linked the aurora to “Bifröst”, the mythical rainbow bridge connecting Midgard, the Earth, to Asgard, the Realm of the Gods.

Another widespread belief was that the shimmering lights were reflections of the Valkyries' armor as they rode across the heavens. These warrior maidens, who chose fallen warriors for Valhalla, were thought to illuminate the sky with their presence, symbolizing honor, battle, and the afterlife.

Medieval and Early Modern Norway: Omens of Good or Bad Luck

As Norway transitioned through the Middle Ages, Christian influences merged with older pagan beliefs. The aurora was sometimes interpreted as a divine sign, either as a warning of impending disaster or as a symbol of blessings and prosperity.

However, fear often accompanied sightings of particularly strong Northern Lights. Many communities believed such displays foretold war, disease, or famine. This sense of foreboding persisted into the early modern period when natural phenomena were still largely unexplained and often attributed to divine intervention.

19th and 20th Century: Scientific Understanding and Romanticism

With the advent of scientific inquiry in the 19th and 20th centuries, the Northern Lights began to be studied systematically. Norwegian scientist Kristian Birkeland was among the first to propose a scientific explanation, suggesting that the aurora resulted from electrically charged particles from the Sun interacting with the Earth's atmosphere.

Despite these advancements, cultural and artistic representations of the aurora thrived. Norwegian artists, such as Peder Balke, painted dramatic and romanticized depictions of the Northern Lights, capturing both its scientific wonder and mythical allure. Writers and poets continued to integrate the aurora into Norwegian identity, blending science with storytelling.

Modern-Day Cultural and Tourism Significance

Today, the Northern Lights remain an integral part of Norwegian culture, identity, and economy. The phenomenon attracts thousands of visitors annually, with Northern Norway—Tromsø, Lofoten, and Alta—serving as global hotspots for aurora tourism.

The lights are also celebrated in cultural festivals, such as the “Nordlysfestivalen” in Tromsø, which brings together music, science, and folklore. Additionally, the aurora has become a symbol of Norwegian nature, appearing in advertisements, souvenirs, and local crafts, further embedding it into national branding.

Photo: Vegard Stien / Visit Tromsø

Norway, with its prime location in the Arctic Circle, is one of the best places in the world to witness this celestial display. The country’s unique geography, stretching into the high latitudes beneath the Auroral Oval, provides an optimal setting for this otherworldly experience. From the Arctic city of Tromsø, often referred to as the "Gateway to the Arctic," to the dramatic fjords of the Lofoten Islands and the remote wilderness of Finnmark, Norway offers countless opportunities for witnessing the dancing lights. The phenomenon is also visible in Alta, the "City of Northern Lights," where some of the earliest scientific studies on auroras were conducted, as well as in the northernmost archipelago of Svalbard, where the polar night allows for daytime auroras during the winter months. The best time to catch this breathtaking display is between September and March when the nights are the longest and the sky is at its darkest.

Photo: Anne Olsen Ryum / www.nordnorge.com

Scientific Explanation and Research Findings

The science behind the Northern Lights is as fascinating as their visual splendor. The phenomenon occurs when charged particles from the Sun, primarily electrons and protons, collide with gases in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. These interactions excite oxygen and nitrogen molecules, causing them to release energy in the form of light. The altitude of these collisions determines the colors that appear in the sky: green, the most common hue, is produced by oxygen at altitudes between 100 and 300 kilometers; red emerges from oxygen at even higher altitudes above 300 kilometers; and nitrogen contributes to the blue and purple tones. Occasionally, a mix of oxygen and nitrogen emissions creates rare pink and yellow hues. The magnetosphere, Earth's protective shield against solar radiation, directs these charged particles toward the polar regions, which is why auroras are most commonly seen near the poles. Their intensity and frequency fluctuate with the Sun’s 11-year activity cycle, increasing during periods of heightened solar activity when coronal mass ejections send bursts of energy toward Earth.

Norway has played a crucial role in the scientific study of auroras. One of the first researchers to propose a link between auroras and solar particles was Norwegian scientist Kristian Birkeland, whose pioneering work in the early 20th century laid the foundation for modern space weather research. The Aurora Observatory in Alta, one of the first of its kind, was built to further investigate these celestial displays. Today, Norway continues to lead in auroral research, with institutions such as the EISCAT Radar System in Tromsø studying the ionosphere and the Andøya Space Center launching rockets to collect atmospheric data.