THE KUMMAKIVI (FINNISH FOR “STRANGE ROCK”) is perfectly balanced upon another rock in the middle of the forest.
This has amazed people since its discovery, and gave birth to the idea of giants having balanced the rock in its position
Geologists believe glaciers are responsible.
They are capable of carrying heavy rocks and this is probably what happened over 8,000 years ago. However, that still doesn’t explain the perfect balancing.
Some people believe a supernatural force must have moved the boulder to the site. The mythology of Finland is filled with supernatural creatures such as trolls and giants.
Such creatures are believed to possess physical strength beyond that of any mere mortal.
Moreover, some of these creatures have also been associated with rocky landscapes. For instance, a hiisi (‘hiidet’ in plural) is a type of giant in Finnish mythology said to dwell in rocky landscapes.
Finnish folklore also states that such creatures have the habit of throwing boulders around, creating cairns, and carving out strange holes in rocky outcrops (which are believed to have been used by these giants to churn milk).
So, the explanation provided by local folklore for the Kummakivi Balancing Rock is that it was brought / rolled / thrown there by a giant / troll.
Well then, it was either giants or glaciers, you decide.
