Legendary history thumb|Robert Stigell's 1888 sculpture at Vanha Ylioppilastalo (Old Student House) in Helsinki depicts Väinämöinen with the first kantele, made of a giant pike's jawbone, as told in the Kalevala national epic. In Finland's national epic, Kalevala, the mage Väinämöinen makes the first kantele from the jawbone of a giant pike and a few hairs from Hiisi's stallion (, excerpt lyrics). The music it makes draws all the forest creatures near to wonder at its beauty.
legendary history thumb|robert stigell's 1888 sculpture at vanha ylioppilastalo (old student house) in helsinki depicts väinämöinen with the first kantele made of a giant pike's jawbone as told in the kalevala national epic in finland's national epic kalevala the mage väinämöinen makes the first kantele from the jawbone of a giant pike and a few hairs from hiisi's stallion ( excerpt lyrics) the music it makes draws all the forest creatures near to wonder at its beauty