Dala Horses

The World's Largest Dalecarlian Horse - made of concrete
Avesta Municipality, Sweden

When my brother Jay returned from his missionary adventures in Sweden, many years ago, he brought me a little Swedish Dala Hest (or horse).  I have treasured that little red horse for many years and it has a place of honor on the piano.  (Well, it did until my cat Jack wrestled it off of the piano. It currently lies forlornly behind the piano - trapped - for now.)

The Dala horse is said to be a copy of the Norse god Odin's horse Sleipnir, but unlike Sleipnir it does not have eight legs!

These horses have been toys for children for many generations.  Creating the little toy horses may have started as just something to do during the long, dark winter months.  Eventually the cute little horses became an important item of barter and were often traded in exchange for household goods.

Horse carving and painting skills have been passed along from generation to generation ever since.

Legend has it that the Dala horse became a national toy back in 1716 when they were made for the Swedish King Charles XII.  It is said the soldiers loyal to the King were quartered in the Dalarna region of Sweden and carved the toys as gifts for their hosts.

However, the earliest mention of little wooden horses for sale is way back in the year 1623.

The horse has become synonymous with Dalarna, the Dala area of Sweden, and a symbol of Sweden itself.

My brother with the largest Dala Hest in the world

Today's Dalecarlian horses are still handcrafted and made of pine wood from a pattern that is approximately 150 years old.

Amazingly enough there are three of these giant Dala horses in America!  Two are located in Minnesota, in the cities of Mora and Cloquet.  The third is found in Minot, North Dakota.  All were gifts from groups or municipalities in Sweden.

They are adorable, aren't they?  Well, the little ones are.  The big ones are a bit intimidating! (I keep expecting Trojan soldiers to pop out of the one above!)

After writing about them, I think I need to see if I can figure out a way to get my own Dala hest out from behind the piano...