fölskum

Fölskum is a term found in Nordic folklore, used to describe a pale, shimmering mist or glow that is said to appear over fields, marshes, or along trails at twilight. The word is generally treated as a compound of fö l (foal) and skum (foam or mist), reflecting a connection to the imagery of young horses and a ghostly or ethereal quality. Etymology is uncertain and regional variants exist, with different communities offering their own explanations for the name.

In traditional narratives, fölskum is associated with the supernatural realm of animals and spirits. Some tales portray it as the presence of a foal’s essence or a protective guiding light for travelers, while others warn that following the glow can lead one astray or into danger. The motif often functions as a cautionary or comforting element within local folklore, serving to explain uncanny lights and to teach vigilance when one is alone after dark.

Documentation of fölskum comes primarily from oral tradition and regional folklore collections dating from the 18th to early 20th centuries. It is not a widely attested term in academic dictionaries or linguistic corpora, which has contributed to its status as a regional or folkloric motif rather than a standardized concept. In contemporary literature, fölskum occasionally appears in regional writings or fantasy works that draw on Nordic mythic imagery, where it is frequently reinterpreted as a benign or magical phenomenon.

See also: Will-o’-the-wisp, fog, folklore.