HULDRA Huldra is a supernatural female being in Norwegian folklore and legends. She is stronger and more beautiful than ordinary women but has a hollow back and a cow's tail. Huldra is seductive with a beautiful voice, can captivate people, and is part of the huldrefolk, a group of supernatural beings. The huldres are invisible but can appear suddenly. In the 19th century, huldra was depicted in literature and art, often as a personification of Norwegian nature. In modern times, huldra represents positive qualities such as strength and courage. The huldrefolk live a life similar to humans, but in an "ideal world" with wealth and abundance. They have magical powers and live in close connection with nature. The tales of the huldres originate from the pre-modern peasant and fishing society and were orally transmitted before being written down in the 19th and 20th centuries. The belief in the huldrefolk may have roots in Norse mythology, the church law from the 13th century, and other ancient beliefs. Encounters with huldra could lead to "bergtaking," where people were captured by the huldres. People protected themselves against this with religious rituals. The huldrefolk could also exchange human babies with their own, known as changelings. They protected nature and collaborated with humans in agriculture and fishing. Modern representations of huldra have been depicted in various art forms, including literature by well-known authors such as Arne Garborg and Henrik Ibsen. Even in Christian times, the huldrefolk were seen as both good and evil, and their relationship with Christianity was ambivalent.