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Nisse Facts & Worksheets

A nisse is a short mythological creature originating from Nordic folklore and is usually depicted with a red cone-shaped hat and a long white beard.

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A nisse is a short mythological creature originating from Nordic folklore and is usually depicted with a red cone-shaped hat and a long white beard. It is often associated with Christmas and the winter solstice.

See the fact file below for more information on the nisse or alternatively, you can download our 26-page Nisse worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ETYMOLOGY AND TERMINOLOGY

  • There is more than one possible origin of the term nisse.
  • It may have been derived from the Old Norse word “niðsi” which means “dear little relative”.
  • It may also have come from the name “Nils” which is the Scandinavian version of the name Nicholas.
  • Nisse is a pan-Scandinavian word.
  • In Sweden, a nisse is called a tomte.
  • In Finland, a nisse is called a tonttu.
  • Other synonyms of nisse is tufte and gardvord.
  • In the English versions of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales, the Danish word nisse is translated as goblin.

BACKGROUND AND TEMPERAMENT

  • According to folklore, the nisse secretly resides in a house or barn and acts as the guardian of where they live.
  • Their disposition relies on how they are treated by those who live in the home.
  • If they receive good and fair treatment, they offer protection for the family and livestock from evil and adversity.
  • From time to time, they may also help in doing chores.
  • They may be small but they possess massive strength.
  • However, if they are insulted or offended, they show their quick-tempered and peevish side.
  • Their acts of revenge range from pranks to more extreme punishment.
  • They may steal things, play tricks, destroy a farm’s fortune, and even injure or kill animals.
  • If something was spilled on the floor, it is best to shout about it to the nisse as a warning.
  • It is also necessary to please the nisse with gifts as payment.
  • One popular myth is that the nisse loves porridge, especially on Christmas Eve.
  • If the nisse is not given gifts, he would either leave the house or play pranks like turning things upside down or tying the tails of cows together.
  • The nisse is also said to be offended when people urinate in the barn, treat animals poorly, or even swear.
  • Another way of offending the nisse is to change the usual way things are done at a farm as they typically don’t like change.

FAVORITE ANIMAL

  • The nisse’s favorite animal is the horse but is generally connected to farm animals.
  • It is believed that one could tell which horse was most taken care of by the nisse because the horse would be particularly healthy.
  • The nisse would sometimes braid the hair and tail of the horse.
  • Undoing the braids may anger the nisse and cause misfortune.

APPEARANCE

  • The nisse has often been portrayed as an elderly man of small stature.
  • Its imagined height ranges from several inches to around half the height of an adult.
  • It wears colorful clothes and usually what a farmer would wear.
  • It has a full, long, and white beard.
  • However, in modern Denmark, it is beardless and wears gray woolen clothing.
  • In some folktales, it is believed that the nisse is a shapeshifter who is capable of being invisible or even taller than a man.
  • Nisses are believed to be experts in illusions so it is difficult to catch them in their changed state.
  • In Norway, there is a folktale that says the nisse has four fingers, glow-in-the-dark eyes, and pointy ears.
  • There are also tales saying that the nisse has one cyclopean eye.

CHRISTIANIZATION

  • Christianization of Scandinavia made the nisse a largely unpopular figure, as it was seen as a heathen, like most folklore beings.
  • Believing in the nisse was considered synonymous to worshipping demons or false gods.
  • Another tale was passed on that claimed that having a nisse in your house or farm means giving it control over your life or that you have done non-Christian actions or rituals to attract a nisse into your home.
  • Conflicts could also arise among neighbors because of the nisse’s ability to bring fortune and wealth to the farm.
  • Rumors of a farmer having a nisse in his farm could be detrimental for the accused farmer, much like when someone was accused of being involved in witchcraft in ancient times.

SIMILAR EUROPEAN FOLKLORE

  • The nisse shares many characteristics with its Scandinavian and European counterparts. They are as follows:
    • Contrary to the often recluse nature of the nisse, the Swedish vättar and Danish vætter are social creatures.
    • The English and Scots have what they call the brownie.
    • The Irish have their leprechaun.
    • The Dutch have the kabouter.
    • In Germany, there is the heinzelmännchen.
    • The Slavic domovoi may not share the same physical appearance as the nisse, but it is also a household spirit.

Nisse Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the nisse across 26 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Nisse worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about a nisse who is a short mythological creature originating from Nordic folklore and is usually depicted with a red cone-shaped hat and a long white beard. It is often associated with Christmas and the winter solstice.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Nisse Facts
  • Nisse’s Attributes
  • Introducing the Nisse
  • Nisse Crossword
  • Good Vs. Bad
  • Flow of Facts
  • What Would the Nisse Do?
  • My Reactions in Emojis
  • Simplified Meanings
  • Correct Counterparts
  • Leave a Letter

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Link will appear as Nisse Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, July 13, 2021

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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