iskukäyrä

The iskukäyrä, also known as the sun compass, is a type of traditional Finnish navigation tool used by native hunters and travelers to orient themselves and determine their direction. The instrument is essentially a wooden or birch bark disc with a concave surface, typically marked with a series of concentric circles and a stylized depiction of the sun's shadow.

The iskukäyrä is designed to take advantage of the sun's shadow during the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere when the sun is relatively low in the sky. The tool is used by holding it horizontally and allowing the shadow of an object, such as a stick or a small rock, to fall on the disc. By aligning the shadow with the markings on the disc, the user can determine their direction relative to south.

The iskukäyrä is an essential tool for traditional Finnish navigators, who have used it for generations to track their movements and locate resources such as game, hunting paths, and ambush sites. While the advent of modern navigation tools has largely replaced the need for the iskukäyrä, it remains an important cultural and historical artifact that continues to be studied and celebrated today.

The iskukäyrä is often depicted in traditional Finnish art and folklore, where it is shown in the hands of hunters and gatherers who use it to guide their movements. In some cases, the iskukäyrä is also associated with spiritual and mystical practices, where it is seen as a symbol of the connection between the natural world and the human condition.