Elektrilased

Elektrilased is a term used in Estonian folklore, specifically referring to beings associated with electricity and lightning. These mythical entities are often depicted as powerful and unpredictable forces of nature. While not a single, universally defined creature, the concept of elektrilased generally encompasses spirits or personifications of electrical phenomena. They are sometimes thought to be responsible for sudden sparks, electrical surges, or even destructive lightning strikes. Descriptions can vary, with some traditions portraying them as mischievous spirits that can cause minor disturbances, while others attribute them with the immense power of a thunderstorm. The understanding and portrayal of elektrilased likely evolved with human awareness of electricity, though their roots can be found in older beliefs about sky deities and thunder gods. They represent a folk explanation for forces that were not scientifically understood, imbued with a sense of awe and sometimes fear. These beings are rarely depicted in detail, remaining more as a conceptual element within the broader tapestry of Estonian mythical beings.