põlluhõõgus

Põlluhõõgus is a term in Estonian folklore describing a nocturnal luminous phenomenon observed over fields. The name combines põllu, meaning field, with hõõgus, meaning glow or glimmer, reflecting its apparent location and light. In traditional accounts, lights are described as small, flickering, and sometimes moving slowly across meadows, often seen on calm, foggy nights near farmland; colors range from white to yellow-green.

In folklore, põlluhõõgus is frequently interpreted as a supernatural sign linked to will-o'-the-wisps or spirits of the land. It is sometimes presented as an omen of fortune or misfortune for the harvest, travelers, or farmers. Regional variations exist, but the lights are commonly associated with the agricultural cycle and rural life.

Scholars place põlluhõõgus within the broader category of twilight phenomena in Baltic folklore, noting parallels with similar lights reported in neighboring cultures. Explanations in ethnographic sources range from supernatural to natural; naturalist interpretations point to atmospheric reflections, dew or frost on grass, temperature inversions, or bioluminescent organisms, while some accounts emphasize the potential for misdirection of travelers.

Today, põlluhõõgus is primarily studied as part of Estonian folklore and literature. It appears in regional stories and songs and is cited as an example of how nocturnal field phenomena shaped rural beliefs, language, and cultural memory.