Mielikki

{{Short description|Finnish goddess of forests}}

{{for multi|the fictional Forgotten Realms goddess|Mielikki (Forgotten Realms)|the asteroid|List of minor planets: 2001–3000#701{{!}}2715 Mielikki}}

{{Infobox deity

| type = Finnish

| name = Mielikki

| deity_of = Mistress of Forest

| other_names = Mielus, Mimerkki, Mieluutar, Mikikki, Mielis-neiti, Menninki

| offspring = Tellervo
Tuulikki
Nyyrikki

| gender = Female

| ethnic_group = Finns, Karelians

}}

Mielikki ({{IPA|fi|ˈmie̯likːi}}) is the Finnish goddess of forests and the hunt. She is referred to in various tales as either the wife or the daughter-in-law of Tapio (Metsän emäntä, Mistress of Forest or Metsän miniä Daughter-in-law of Forest), and the mother of Nyyrikki and Tuulikki. She is said to have played a central role in the creation of the bear. In a country where the forest was central to providing food through hunting, gathering and cattle grazing, it was thought very important to stay on her good side. She is also offered prayers by those who hunt small game and those who gather mushrooms and berries.

Mielikki is known as a skillful healer who heals the paws of animals who have escaped traps, helps chicks that have fallen from their nests and treats the wounds of wood grouses after their mating displays. She knows well the healing herbs and will also help humans if they know well enough to ask her for it.

The Mielikki Mons, a mountain on Venus, is named after her.{{cite web|title=Mielikki Mons|url=http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/3887?__fsk=894267497|website=Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature}}