According to Finnish and Karelian Folklore Lempo was considered a fiend.
Lempo is the Finnish god/goddess of love, fertility, fire and sexuality of dual genders. Appearing at times as a god or goddess.
Lempo is known as a ruler of the forest demons and shadow spirits. These are called PIRU, and his nickname Pääpiru denotes ‘Head of the Demons’. Lempo’s minions includes herds of mighty moose.
Lempo’s nemesis is Lemminkainen the Finnish trickster god.
Lempo’s reputation worsened after Christianity came to Finland, he was then, represented in folklore as an unpredictable spirit, as his love was at times fanciful, hazardous. Lempo’s power could control a person and turn them to devastation. Lempo took down the hero Väinämöinen with the aid of his two demon cohorts, Hiisi and Paha. The words “lempo” and “hiisi” are also used as very mild swear words in the Finnish language. “Piru” is a slightly stronger swear word. Many pagan gods and goddesses were demonized by Christian priests over the centuries, this happened all over Europe, UK and the West.
Sources and References:
Taivaannaula: Lempo
The Kalevala Glossary
Godchecker.com Lempo
Art: uncredited
Val is a writer of enchanted tales, folklore and magic. Once chased by Vampire Pumpkins! 