In Finnish folklore, Ajatar (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈɑjɑtɑr]), also spelled Ajattara [ˈɑjɑˌtːɑrɑ], Aiätär [ˈɑi̯ætær][dubious – discuss], or Aijotar [ˈɑi̯jotɑr]), is an evil female spirit.
In Finnish folklore Ajatar is an evil female spirit.[1] She lives in the woods located at the mountains of Pohjola;[2] she is described as having "hair-plait reached to her heels and whose breasts hung down to her knees" similar to the Swedish Skogsnufva, Danish 'seawoman', or the wildfraulein of the eifel.[3]
Ajatar is the granddaughter of Hiisi (the master of the woods and spreader of disease)[4] and is the master of Lempo and Gnomes.[2] Through her connections with Hiisi and Lempo, she is said to spread disease and pestilence.[1]
She is closely associated with serpents, and is often depicted in modern art as a dragon or half-humanoid and serpentine figure.[5]
The word “ajatar” is possibly derived from the Finnish word ajattaa, “to pursue" (also, "to drive").[6] The feminine suffix “-tar-” appears in several Finnish names, including a variation of Louhi (Louhetar, Loviatar, Louhiatar) and Syöjätär (syödä ‘to eat,’ with the feminine suffix of -tar, means ‘devourer, vampire’).[7] Applying this to Ajatar, the verb ajaa is suffixed by the feminine "-tar," translating as “female pursuer.” The name may have its root in aika 'time' as well, from where ajatar would be an equally regular derivative. Or both. Aika and ajaa might be etymologically connected through the sense of time, like death, hunting oneself.
Although Ajatar does not appear by name in documented Finnish folk songs, she appears in fiction inspired by the Kalevala and in modern fantasy interpretations.
In some Finnish translations of The Bible the term ajatar is used to refer to certain demons or devils :