päällysteisille

Päällysteisille refers to a traditional Finnish term that translates roughly to "surface people" or "those on the surface." The concept originates from Finnish folklore and mythology, particularly within the context of the *Kalevala*, the national epic of Finland. In this framework, päällysteisille typically represent the mortal or human world, as opposed to the supernatural or otherworldly realms inhabited by deities, spirits, and magical beings.

The term is often used in contrast to entities such as *jumalat* (gods), *henget* (spirits), or *noitat* (witches), who dwell in the unseen or hidden realms. In Finnish folklore, these supernatural beings often interact with humans, either benevolently or malevolently, depending on the narrative. The distinction between päällysteisille and the supernatural underscores the duality between the ordinary human experience and the extraordinary forces believed to influence it.

While the term itself is not widely used in modern Finnish language, it remains a cultural reference in discussions of folklore, mythology, and traditional beliefs. Scholars and enthusiasts of Finnish culture may employ it to emphasize the contrast between the mundane and the mystical in Finnish storytelling. The concept reflects broader themes in Nordic and Baltic folklore, where the boundary between the human world and the spirit realm is often fluid and permeable.