Icelandic Christmas folklore: Difference between revisions
→{{anchor|The trolls Gryla & Leppaludi|Gryla}}Grýla & Leppalúði: actually, removing this second footnote, since the source doesn't mention eating children or detecting misbehaving children year-round |
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{{Short description|Folklore from Iceland during Christmas}} |
{{Short description|Folklore from Iceland during Christmas}} |
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{{refimprove|date=December 2022}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}} |
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[[File:Ґріла (ісландський персонаж) на летовищі Кеплавік.jpg|thumb|Grýla and Skyrgámur (a Yule Lad fond of [[skyr]]) depicted in a sculpture at [[Keflavík International Airport]].]] |
[[File:Ґріла (ісландський персонаж) на летовищі Кеплавік.jpg|thumb|Grýla and Skyrgámur (a Yule Lad fond of [[skyr]]) depicted in a sculpture at [[Keflavík International Airport]].]] |
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'''Icelandic Christmas folklore''' depicts mountain-dwelling characters and monsters who come to town during [[Christmas]]. The stories are directed at children and are used to scare them into good behavior. The [[folklore]] includes |
'''Icelandic Christmas folklore''' depicts mountain-dwelling characters and monsters who come to town during [[Christmas]]. The stories are directed at children and are used to scare them into good behavior. The [[folklore]] includes mischievous pranksters who leave gifts at night and monsters who eat disobedient children. |
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The figures are depicted as living together as a family in a cave and include: |
The figures are depicted as living together as a family in a cave and include: |
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* Grýla, |
* Grýla, is an ogress with an appetite for the flesh of mischievous children, whom she cooks in a large pot. Her husband, Leppalúði, is lazy and mostly stays at home in their cave. |
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* The Yule Cat is a huge and vicious cat who lurks about the snowy countryside during Christmas time ([[Yule]]) and eats people who have not received any new clothes to wear before [[Christmas Eve]]. |
* The [[Yule Cat]] is a huge and vicious cat who lurks about the snowy countryside during Christmas time ([[Yule]]) and eats people who have not received any new clothes to wear before [[Christmas Eve]]. |
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* The Yule Lads are the sons of Grýla and Leppalúði. They are a group of 13 mischievous pranksters who steal from or harass the population and all have descriptive names that convey their favorite way of harassing.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/search/news/Default.asp?ew_0_a_id=317411|title=The Yule Lads: Friends or Foes?|author=Nannaa|date=23 December 2008|website=Iceland Review|access-date=1 June 2013|archive-url=http://wayback.vefsafn.is/wayback/20130122160640/http://icelandreview.com/icelandreview/search/news/Default.asp?ew_0_a_id=317411|archive-date=22 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> They come to town one by one during the last 13 nights before Yule. They leave small gifts in shoes that children have placed on window sills, but if the child has been disobedient they instead leave a rotten potato in the shoe. |
* The Yule Lads are the sons of Grýla and Leppalúði. They are a group of 13 mischievous pranksters who steal from or harass the population, and all have descriptive names that convey their favorite way of harassing.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/search/news/Default.asp?ew_0_a_id=317411|title=The Yule Lads: Friends or Foes?|author=Nannaa|date=23 December 2008|website=Iceland Review|access-date=1 June 2013|archive-url=http://wayback.vefsafn.is/wayback/20130122160640/http://icelandreview.com/icelandreview/search/news/Default.asp?ew_0_a_id=317411|archive-date=22 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> They come to town one by one during the last 13 nights before Yule. They leave small gifts in shoes that children have placed on window sills, but if the child has been disobedient, they instead leave a rotten potato in the shoe. |
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These Christmas-related folktales first appeared around the 17th century and displayed some variation based on region and age. In modern times these characters have taken on slightly more benevolent roles.<ref name=GTI>{{cite web |last1=Chapman |first1=Richard |title=The Icelandic Yule Lads and their evil mother Gryla |url=https://guidetoiceland.is/history-culture/the-icelandic-yule-lads-and-gryla |website=Guide to Iceland |access-date=12 December 2022 |language=en |
These Christmas-related folktales first appeared around the 17th century and displayed some variation based on region and age. In modern times, these characters have taken on slightly more benevolent roles.<ref name=GTI>{{cite web |last1=Chapman |first1=Richard |title=The Icelandic Yule Lads and their evil mother Gryla |url=https://guidetoiceland.is/history-culture/the-icelandic-yule-lads-and-gryla |website=Guide to Iceland |access-date=12 December 2022 |language=en }}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The first mention of the Yule Lads can be found in the 17th-century ''Poem of Grýla''. Grýla had appeared in older tales as a [[troll]] but had not been linked to Christmas before. She is described as a hideous being who is the mother of the gigantic Yule Lads, a menace to children. |
The first mention of the Yule Lads can be found in the 17th-century ''Poem of Grýla''. Grýla had appeared in older tales as a [[troll]] but had not been linked to Christmas before. She is described as a hideous being who is the mother of the gigantic Yule Lads, a menace to children. |
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Early on, the number and depiction of the Yule Lads varied greatly depending on location |
Early on, the number and depiction of the Yule Lads varied greatly depending on location. They were used to frighten children into good behaviour, similar to the [[bogeyman]]. The [[Christian VI of Denmark|King of Denmark]] objected to their use as a disciplinary tool.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Björnsson|first=Árni|date=2003|title=Árni Björnsson – Nöfn Jólasveina|url=https://www.arnastofnun.is/page/arnastofnun_nafn_nefnir_AB|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504231143/http://www.arnastofnun.is/page/arnastofnun_nafn_nefnir_AB|archive-date=4 May 2018|access-date=5 December 2020|website=Stofnun Árna Magnússonar}}</ref> |
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In the late 18th century, a poem mentions 13 of them. In the mid-19th century, author [[Jón Árnason (author)|Jón Árnason]] drew inspiration from the [[Brothers Grimm]] and began collecting folktales. His 1862 collection is the first mention of the names of the Yule Lads.<ref name=":0" /> |
In the late 18th century, a poem mentions 13 of them. In the mid-19th century, author [[Jón Árnason (author)|Jón Árnason]] drew inspiration from the [[Brothers Grimm]] and began collecting folktales. His 1862 collection is the first mention of the names of the Yule Lads.<ref name=":0" /> |
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In 1932, the poem "Yule Lads" was published as a part of the popular poetry book ''Christmas is Coming (Jólin koma)'' by Icelandic poet [[Jóhannes úr Kötlum]]. The poem was popular and established what is now considered the [[Canon (fiction)|canonical]] 13 Yule Lads, their names, and their personalities. |
In 1932, the poem "Yule Lads" was published as a part of the popular poetry book ''Christmas is Coming (Jólin koma)'' by Icelandic poet [[Jóhannes úr Kötlum]]. The poem was popular and established what is now considered the [[Canon (fiction)|canonical]] 13 Yule Lads, their names, and their personalities. |
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=={{anchor|The trolls Gryla & Leppaludi|Gryla}}Grýla |
=={{anchor|The trolls Gryla & Leppaludi|Gryla}}Grýla and Leppalúði== |
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⚫ | '''Grýla'''{{efn|{{lang-is|Grýla}}; {{IPA-is|ˈkriːla|IPA}}}} is an ogress, first mentioned in 13th-century texts such as ''[[Íslendinga saga]]'' and ''[[Sverris saga]]'',<ref name=Gunnell>{{cite web |last=Gunnell |first=Terry |url=http://jol.ismennt.is/english/gryla-terry-gunnell.htm |title=Grýla, Grýlur, Grøleks And Skeklers |website=Christmas in Iceland 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013092028/http://jol.ismennt.is/english/gryla-terry-gunnell.htm |archive-date=2006-10-13}}</ref> but not explicitly connected with Christmas until the 17th century. She is enormous, and her appearance is repulsive. |
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[[File:Folklore Figures, Akureyri (4899034211).jpg|thumb|Figures of Grýla and her husband Leppalúði on the main street of [[Akureyri]], Iceland]] |
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⚫ | '''Grýla'''{{efn|{{lang-is|Grýla}}; {{IPA-is|ˈkriːla|IPA}}}} is |
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Grýla is also mentioned in the ''[[Skáldskaparmál]]'' section of the 13th-century ''[[Prose Edda]]'' by [[Snorri Sturluson]]. There, she is mentioned only by name in a list of names of "[[troll]]-wives". No further description of her is provided in the text.<ref>[[Snorri Sturluson|Sturluson, Snorri]] (1995) [13th century]. ''[[Prose Edda|Edda]]''. Translated by Anthony Faulkes. [[Everyman's Library]]. p. 156.</ref> |
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The oldest poems about Grýla describe her as a parasitic beggar. She walks around asking parents to give her their disobedient children. Her plans can be thwarted by giving her food or chasing her away. Originally, she lived in a small cottage, but in later poems, she appears to have been forced out of town and into a remote cave. |
The oldest poems about Grýla describe her as a parasitic beggar. She walks around asking parents to give her their disobedient children. Her plans can be thwarted by giving her food or chasing her away. Originally, she lived in a small cottage, but in later poems, she appears to have been forced out of town and into a remote cave. |
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According to folklore, Grýla has been married three times. {{anchor|Leppaludi}}Her third husband '''Leppalúði'''{{efn|{{lang-is|Leppalúði}}; {{IPA-is|ˈlehpaˌluːðɪ|IPA}}}} is said to be living with her in their cave in the [[Dimmuborgir]] lava fields, with the big black Yule Cat and their sons. Leppalúði is lazy and mostly stays at home in their cave. Grýla supposedly has dozens of children with her previous husbands, but they are rarely mentioned nowadays. |
According to folklore, Grýla has been married three times. {{anchor|Leppaludi}}Her third husband '''Leppalúði'''{{efn|{{lang-is|Leppalúði}}; {{IPA-is|ˈlehpaˌluːðɪ|IPA}}}} is said to be living with her in their cave in the [[Dimmuborgir]] lava fields, with the big black Yule Cat and their sons. Leppalúði is lazy and mostly stays at home in their cave. Grýla supposedly has dozens of children with her previous husbands, but they are rarely mentioned nowadays. |
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== |
==Yule Cat== |
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{{Main|Yule Cat}} |
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The '''Yule Cat |
The '''Yule Cat''', known as Jólakötturinn,{{efn|{{lang-is|Jólakötturinn}}; {{IPA-is|ˈjouːlaˌkʰœhtʏrɪn|IPA}}}} a huge and vicious cat who is described as lurking about the snowy countryside during Christmas time and eating people who have not received any new clothes to wear before Christmas Eve. He is the house pet of Grýla and her sons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://icelandicfolklore.is/the-yule-cat/ |title=The Yule Cat |website=Icelandic Folklore |date=17 December 2020 |author=Áki Guðni Karlsson |access-date=29 November 2023}}</ref> |
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Though referred to as an ancient tradition, written accounts of the Yule Cat have only been located as recently as the 19th century.<ref name="grapevine">{{cite web|url=http://grapevine.is/culture/art/2008/12/10/the-christmas-cat/|title=The Christmas Cat|last=Magnússon|first=Haukur|date=10 December 2008|access-date=28 November 2015|website=Grapevine|publisher=Fröken Ltd}}</ref> The threat of being eaten by the Yule Cat was used by farmers as an incentive for their workers to finish processing the autumn wool before Christmas. The ones who took part in the work would be rewarded with new clothes, but those who did not would get nothing and thus be preyed upon by the monstrous cat. The cat has alternatively been described as merely eating away the food of ones without new clothes during Christmas feasts.<ref name="simnet" /> The perception of the Yule Cat as a [[man-eater|man-eating]] beast was partly popularized by poems of Jóhannes úr Kötlum as with the rest of the folklore.<ref>[http://johannes.is/jolakotturinn/ ''Jólakötturinn'' (Skáldasetur)]</ref> |
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== {{anchor|The Yule Lads|Yule lad|Yule lads}}Yule Lads == |
== {{anchor|The Yule Lads|Yule lad|Yule lads}}Yule Lads == |
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[[File:Askur.JPG|thumb|A wooden food bowl |
[[File:Askur.JPG|thumb|A wooden ''askur'', a lidded food bowl favored by the Bowl-Licker lad.]] |
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The '''Yule Lads'''{{efn|{{lang-is|Jólasveinarnir}}; {{IPA-is|ˈjouːlaˌsveiːna(r)tnɪr̥|IPA}}}} (sometimes |
The '''Yule Lads'''{{efn|{{lang-is|Jólasveinarnir}}; {{IPA-is|ˈjouːlaˌsveiːna(r)tnɪr̥|IPA}}}} (sometimes known as '''Yuletide-lads''' or '''Yulemen''') are the sons of Grýla and Leppalúði. They are a group of 13 mischievous pranksters who steal from or otherwise harass the population. Each has a descriptive name to convey their favourite way of causing mischief.<ref name=":1" /> They arrive one by one over the thirteen nights leading up to Christmas or Yule. They [[Christmas gift-bringer|leave small gifts]] in shoes that children place on window sills, although a disobedient child will instead find a rotten potato in their shoe. |
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Much like their mother, the Yule Lads were originally portrayed by [[Jón Árnason (author)|Jón Árnason]] not as gift-givers but as kidnappers of children who misbehaved during the Christmas season, along with their usual prankster activities.<ref>[[Jacqueline Simpson|Simpson, Jacqueline]] (2009) [1972]. ''Icelandic Folktales and Legends''. [[The History Press]]. p. 103.</ref> |
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⚫ | In modern times the Yule Lads have also been depicted in a more benevolent role<ref name<ref name=GTI/> comparable to [[Santa Claus]] and [[List of Christmas and winter gift-bringers by country|other related figures]]. They are generally portrayed wearing late-medieval Icelandic clothing |
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⚫ | In modern times, the Yule Lads have also been depicted in a more benevolent role<ref name<ref name=GTI/> comparable to [[Santa Claus]] and [[List of Christmas and winter gift-bringers by country|other related figures]]. They are generally portrayed wearing late-medieval Icelandic clothing but are sometimes shown in the costume traditionally worn by Santa Claus, especially at children's events. |
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===List of Yule Lads=== |
===List of Yule Lads=== |
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Each Yule Lad arrives individually and stays for a visit of thirteen days, starting 12 December.<ref name="thjodminjasafn">{{cite web|url=http://www.thjodminjasafn.is/english/for-visitors/christmas/the-yule-lads/|title=The Yule Lads|website=[[National Museum of Iceland]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030195801/http://www.thjodminjasafn.is/english/for-visitors/christmas/the-yule-lads/|archive-date=30 October 2016|access-date=1 June 2013}}</ref> Once the first Lad departs on Christmas Day, the rest follow suit each day through 6 January.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OSuXAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA238 |title=The Christmas Encyclopedia |last=Crump |first=William D. |date=28 August 2013 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-0573-9 |page=238 |language=en |edition=3rd}}</ref> |
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{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
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|+ Thirteen [[Canon (fiction)|canonical]] Yule Lads with their associated dates |
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|- |
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! Icelandic name |
! Icelandic name |
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⚫ | ! English translation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://notendur.centrum.is/sjbokband/joh.html/yulelads00.html|title="The Yuletide Lads" English translation by Hallberg Hallmundsson |work='Jólasveinarnir' by Jóhannes úr Kötlum, skáld þjóðarinnar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222113413/http://notendur.centrum.is/sjbokband/joh.html/yulelads00.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=22 December 2007 }}</ref> |
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! English translation |
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! Description<ref name="Celebrating">{{cite web|url=http://www.iceland.is/the-big-picture/news/celebrating-christmas-with-13-trolls/7916/|title=Celebrating Christmas with 13 trolls|website=Promote Iceland|access-date=1 June 2013}}</ref> |
! Description<ref name="Celebrating">{{cite web|url=http://www.iceland.is/the-big-picture/news/celebrating-christmas-with-13-trolls/7916/|title=Celebrating Christmas with 13 trolls|website=Promote Iceland|access-date=1 June 2013}}</ref> |
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! Arrival |
! Arrival |
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! Departure |
! Departure |
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|- |
|- |
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| ''Stekkjarstaur'' |
| ''Stekkjarstaur'' |
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| |
| Sheepcote Clod |
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| Harasses sheep, but is impaired by his stiff peg-legs. |
| Harasses sheep, but is impaired by his stiff peg-legs. |
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| {{nowrap|12 December}} |
| {{nowrap|12 December}} |
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| ''Stúfur'' |
| ''Stúfur'' |
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| Stubby |
| Stubby |
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| Abnormally short. Steals pans |
| Abnormally short. Steals pans for the food baked to the bottoms and brims. |
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| 14 December |
| 14 December |
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| 27 December |
| 27 December |
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|- |
|- |
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| ''Þvörusleikir'' |
| ''Þvörusleikir'' |
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| Spoon |
| Spoon Licker |
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| Steals |
| Steals wooden spoons being used for cooking. Extremely thin from [[malnutrition]]. |
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| 15 December |
| 15 December |
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| 28 December |
| 28 December |
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|- |
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| ''Pottaskefill'' |
| ''Pottaskefill'' |
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| Pot |
| Pot Scraper |
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| Steals |
| Steals pots to scrape out the leftovers. |
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| 16 December |
| 16 December |
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| 29 December |
| 29 December |
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|- |
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| ''Askasleikir'' |
| ''Askasleikir'' |
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| Bowl |
| Bowl Licker |
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| Hides under beds awaiting the wooden food bowls placed on the floor. |
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| Hides under beds, waiting for someone to put down their ''askur'' (a type of bowl with a lid used instead of dishes), which he then steals. |
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| 17 December |
| 17 December |
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| 30 December |
| 30 December |
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|- |
|- |
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| ''Hurðaskellir'' |
| ''Hurðaskellir'' |
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| Door |
| Door Slammer |
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| |
| Enjoys slamming doors, especially during the night, waking up the household. |
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| 18 December |
| 18 December |
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| 31 December |
| 31 December |
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|- |
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| ''Skyrgámur'' |
| ''Skyrgámur'' |
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| Skyr |
| Skyr Gobbler |
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| Has a great affinity for ''[[skyr]]'' |
| Has a great affinity for ''[[skyr]]'', a regional style of [[yogurt]]. |
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| 19 December |
| 19 December |
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| 1 January |
| 1 January |
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|- |
|- |
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| ''Bjúgnakrækir'' |
| ''Bjúgnakrækir'' |
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| Sausage |
| Sausage Swiper |
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| Hides in the rafters and snatches [[Sausage|sausages]] that are being smoked |
| Hides in the rafters and snatches [[Sausage|sausages]] that are being smoked. |
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| 20 December |
| 20 December |
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| 2 January |
| 2 January |
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|- |
|- |
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| ''Gluggagægir'' |
| ''Gluggagægir'' |
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| Window |
| Window Peeper |
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| A snoop who looks through windows in search of things to steal |
| A snoop who looks through windows in search of things to steal. |
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| 21 December |
| 21 December |
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| 3 January |
| 3 January |
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|- |
|- |
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| ''Gáttaþefur'' |
| ''Gáttaþefur'' |
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| Doorway |
| Doorway Sniffer |
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| Has an abnormally large nose and an acute sense of smell which he uses to locate [[laufabrauð|leaf bread ''(laufabrauð)'']] |
| Has an abnormally large nose and an acute sense of smell which he uses to locate [[laufabrauð|leaf bread ''(laufabrauð)'']]. |
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| 22 December |
| 22 December |
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| 4 January |
| 4 January |
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|- |
|- |
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| ''Ketkrókur'' |
| ''Ketkrókur'' |
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| Meat |
| Meat Hook |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
| 23 December |
| 23 December |
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| 5 January |
| 5 January |
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|- |
|- |
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| ''Kertasníkir'' |
| ''Kertasníkir'' |
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| Candle |
| Candle Beggar |
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| Follows children |
| Follows children to steal their precious candles, made of [[tallow]] and thus edible. |
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| 24 December |
| 24 December |
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| 6 January |
| 6 January |
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|} |
|} |
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⚫ | |||
===Obscure Yule Lads=== |
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Before these 13 Yule Lads became the most popular, their description varied between locations. Some were said to be sons of Grýla; others were her brothers. Some stories only describe nine Yule Lads, but every one of them had their own characteristic prank. |
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Most of the different Yule Lads can be classified into groups: those who steal food, those who like to play tricks or harass, and those who seem to be a delusion from nature (for example, Gully Gawk, who just hides in gullies).<ref name=":0" /> |
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In the [[Eastern Region (Iceland)|east of Iceland]], there existed a folk tale of a specific group of Yule Lads. They did not come from the mountains but the ocean. One very obscure nursery rhyme mentions two female Yule pranksters who steal [[Dripping|melted fat]] by either stuffing it up their noses or putting it in socks.<ref name=":0" /> |
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==Popular culture== |
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Grýla and the Yule Lads appear as central figures in the [[List of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina episodes#Part 1 (2018)|2018 holiday episode]] of [[Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (TV series)|''Chilling Adventures of Sabrina'']]: the lads terrorize the household, and Grýla attempts to claim a baby from Sabrina's aunt. |
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''[[Extra Credits]]'' talks about Grýla, the Yule Lads, and the Yule Cat in an 2019 episode of ''Extra Mythology''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-16|title=The Yule Lads - Mischief Makers and Child Takers|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-LxYYm1YH0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/3-LxYYm1YH0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=2020-12-11|website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |
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The Yule Cat called Jola appears in the 2020 [[Netflix]] movie ''[[The Christmas Chronicles 2]]''. Jola is being chased by Santa Claus and is friendly with the movie's antagonists, Belsnickle and Speck. Belsnickle unleashed Jola in the reindeer stable, where he injured Dasher. When Jack is getting a root needed to cure the Christmas elves, Jola attacks him. Jack fends him off with an explosive gingerbread cookie. During the film's climax, Dasher recovers to tackle Jola, who is then sent flying out of Santa Village by Santa Claus. |
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The Yule Lads are the titular characters of the tenth episode of the second season of the Netflix animated [[urban fantasy]] series [[Hilda (TV series)|''Hilda'']] which aired in 2020. They are depicted as Grýla's unwilling servants, who seek out naughty children for her to use in her stew for fear of being cooked themselves should they fail. |
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Spoon-Licker appears in the [[Grant Morrison]] comic ''Klaus and the Witch of Winter''. |
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===Variations=== |
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Grýla appears as a minor antagonist in the 2022 game [[God of War Ragnarök]]. |
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Prior to the popularization of the 13 Yule Lads, regional lore offered variations on their mythos. Some were said to be sons of Grýla; others were her brothers. While each of them is still associated with a characteristic prank, some stories describe only nine Yule Lads. Most of the obscure Yule Lads fall into three groups: those who steal food, those who like to play tricks or harass, and those who seem to be a delusion from nature (for example, Gully Gawk, who just hides in gullies).<ref name=":0" /> A folk tale particular to [[Eastern Region (Iceland)|eastern Iceland]] described the Yule Lads originating from the ocean rather than the mountains. One rare nursery rhyme mentions two female Yule pranksters who steal [[Dripping|melted fat]] by stuffing it up their noses or putting it in socks.<ref name=":0" /> |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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Icelandic Christmas folklore depicts mountain-dwelling characters and monsters who come to town during Christmas. The stories are directed at children and are used to scare them into good behavior. The folklore includes mischievous pranksters who leave gifts at night and monsters who eat disobedient children.
The figures are depicted as living together as a family in a cave and include:
- Grýla, is an ogress with an appetite for the flesh of mischievous children, whom she cooks in a large pot. Her husband, Leppalúði, is lazy and mostly stays at home in their cave.
- The Yule Cat is a huge and vicious cat who lurks about the snowy countryside during Christmas time (Yule) and eats people who have not received any new clothes to wear before Christmas Eve.
- The Yule Lads are the sons of Grýla and Leppalúði. They are a group of 13 mischievous pranksters who steal from or harass the population, and all have descriptive names that convey their favorite way of harassing.[1] They come to town one by one during the last 13 nights before Yule. They leave small gifts in shoes that children have placed on window sills, but if the child has been disobedient, they instead leave a rotten potato in the shoe.
These Christmas-related folktales first appeared around the 17th century and displayed some variation based on region and age. In modern times, these characters have taken on slightly more benevolent roles.[2]
History
[edit]Origins
[edit]The first mention of the Yule Lads can be found in the 17th-century Poem of Grýla. Grýla had appeared in older tales as a troll but had not been linked to Christmas before. She is described as a hideous being who is the mother of the gigantic Yule Lads, a menace to children.
Early on, the number and depiction of the Yule Lads varied greatly depending on location. They were used to frighten children into good behaviour, similar to the bogeyman. The King of Denmark objected to their use as a disciplinary tool.[3]
In the late 18th century, a poem mentions 13 of them. In the mid-19th century, author Jón Árnason drew inspiration from the Brothers Grimm and began collecting folktales. His 1862 collection is the first mention of the names of the Yule Lads.[3]
In 1932, the poem "Yule Lads" was published as a part of the popular poetry book Christmas is Coming (Jólin koma) by Icelandic poet Jóhannes úr Kötlum. The poem was popular and established what is now considered the canonical 13 Yule Lads, their names, and their personalities.
Grýla and Leppalúði
[edit]Grýla[a] is an ogress, first mentioned in 13th-century texts such as Íslendinga saga and Sverris saga,[4] but not explicitly connected with Christmas until the 17th century. She is enormous, and her appearance is repulsive.
Grýla is also mentioned in the Skáldskaparmál section of the 13th-century Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson. There, she is mentioned only by name in a list of names of "troll-wives". No further description of her is provided in the text.[5]
The oldest poems about Grýla describe her as a parasitic beggar. She walks around asking parents to give her their disobedient children. Her plans can be thwarted by giving her food or chasing her away. Originally, she lived in a small cottage, but in later poems, she appears to have been forced out of town and into a remote cave.
Current-day Grýla can detect children who are misbehaving year-round. She comes from the mountains during Christmas time to search nearby towns for her meal. She leaves her cave, hunts children, and carries them home in her giant sack. She devours children as her favourite snack. Her favorite dish is a stew of naughty kids, for which she has an insatiable appetite. According to legend, there is never a shortage of food for Grýla.
According to folklore, Grýla has been married three times. Her third husband Leppalúði[b] is said to be living with her in their cave in the Dimmuborgir lava fields, with the big black Yule Cat and their sons. Leppalúði is lazy and mostly stays at home in their cave. Grýla supposedly has dozens of children with her previous husbands, but they are rarely mentioned nowadays.
Yule Cat
[edit]The Yule Cat, known as Jólakötturinn,[c] a huge and vicious cat who is described as lurking about the snowy countryside during Christmas time and eating people who have not received any new clothes to wear before Christmas Eve. He is the house pet of Grýla and her sons.[6]
Yule Lads
[edit]The Yule Lads[d] (sometimes known as Yuletide-lads or Yulemen) are the sons of Grýla and Leppalúði. They are a group of 13 mischievous pranksters who steal from or otherwise harass the population. Each has a descriptive name to convey their favourite way of causing mischief.[1] They arrive one by one over the thirteen nights leading up to Christmas or Yule. They leave small gifts in shoes that children place on window sills, although a disobedient child will instead find a rotten potato in their shoe.
Much like their mother, the Yule Lads were originally portrayed by Jón Árnason not as gift-givers but as kidnappers of children who misbehaved during the Christmas season, along with their usual prankster activities.[7]
In modern times, the Yule Lads have also been depicted in a more benevolent role[2] comparable to Santa Claus and other related figures. They are generally portrayed wearing late-medieval Icelandic clothing but are sometimes shown in the costume traditionally worn by Santa Claus, especially at children's events.
List of Yule Lads
[edit]Each Yule Lad arrives individually and stays for a visit of thirteen days, starting 12 December.[8] Once the first Lad departs on Christmas Day, the rest follow suit each day through 6 January.[9]
Icelandic name | English translation[10] | Description[11] | Arrival | Departure |
---|---|---|---|---|
Stekkjarstaur | Sheepcote Clod | Harasses sheep, but is impaired by his stiff peg-legs. | 12 December | 25 December |
Giljagaur | Gully Gawk | Hides in gullies, waiting for an opportunity to sneak into the cowshed and steal milk. | 13 December | 26 December |
Stúfur | Stubby | Abnormally short. Steals pans for the food baked to the bottoms and brims. | 14 December | 27 December |
Þvörusleikir | Spoon Licker | Steals wooden spoons being used for cooking. Extremely thin from malnutrition. | 15 December | 28 December |
Pottaskefill | Pot Scraper | Steals pots to scrape out the leftovers. | 16 December | 29 December |
Askasleikir | Bowl Licker | Hides under beds awaiting the wooden food bowls placed on the floor. | 17 December | 30 December |
Hurðaskellir | Door Slammer | Enjoys slamming doors, especially during the night, waking up the household. | 18 December | 31 December |
Skyrgámur | Skyr Gobbler | Has a great affinity for skyr, a regional style of yogurt. | 19 December | 1 January |
Bjúgnakrækir | Sausage Swiper | Hides in the rafters and snatches sausages that are being smoked. | 20 December | 2 January |
Gluggagægir | Window Peeper | A snoop who looks through windows in search of things to steal. | 21 December | 3 January |
Gáttaþefur | Doorway Sniffer | Has an abnormally large nose and an acute sense of smell which he uses to locate leaf bread (laufabrauð). | 22 December | 4 January |
Ketkrókur | Meat Hook | Uses a hook to steal meat. | 23 December | 5 January |
Kertasníkir | Candle Beggar | Follows children to steal their precious candles, made of tallow and thus edible. | 24 December | 6 January |
Variations
[edit]Prior to the popularization of the 13 Yule Lads, regional lore offered variations on their mythos. Some were said to be sons of Grýla; others were her brothers. While each of them is still associated with a characteristic prank, some stories describe only nine Yule Lads. Most of the obscure Yule Lads fall into three groups: those who steal food, those who like to play tricks or harass, and those who seem to be a delusion from nature (for example, Gully Gawk, who just hides in gullies).[3] A folk tale particular to eastern Iceland described the Yule Lads originating from the ocean rather than the mountains. One rare nursery rhyme mentions two female Yule pranksters who steal melted fat by stuffing it up their noses or putting it in socks.[3]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Icelandic: Grýla; IPA: [ˈkriːla]
- ^ Icelandic: Leppalúði; IPA: [ˈlehpaˌluːðɪ]
- ^ Icelandic: Jólakötturinn; IPA: [ˈjouːlaˌkʰœhtʏrɪn]
- ^ Icelandic: Jólasveinarnir; IPA: [ˈjouːlaˌsveiːna(r)tnɪr̥]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Nannaa (23 December 2008). "The Yule Lads: Friends or Foes?". Iceland Review. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ a b Chapman, Richard. "The Icelandic Yule Lads and their evil mother Gryla". Guide to Iceland. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ a b c d Björnsson, Árni (2003). "Árni Björnsson – Nöfn Jólasveina". Stofnun Árna Magnússonar. Archived from the original on 4 May 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
- ^ Gunnell, Terry. "Grýla, Grýlur, Grøleks And Skeklers". Christmas in Iceland 2000. Archived from the original on 13 October 2006.
- ^ Sturluson, Snorri (1995) [13th century]. Edda. Translated by Anthony Faulkes. Everyman's Library. p. 156.
- ^ Áki Guðni Karlsson (17 December 2020). "The Yule Cat". Icelandic Folklore. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Simpson, Jacqueline (2009) [1972]. Icelandic Folktales and Legends. The History Press. p. 103.
- ^ "The Yule Lads". National Museum of Iceland. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ Crump, William D. (28 August 2013). The Christmas Encyclopedia (3rd ed.). McFarland. p. 238. ISBN 978-1-4766-0573-9.
- ^ ""The Yuletide Lads" English translation by Hallberg Hallmundsson". 'Jólasveinarnir' by Jóhannes úr Kötlum, skáld þjóðarinnar. Archived from the original on 22 December 2007.
- ^ "Celebrating Christmas with 13 trolls". Promote Iceland. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
Further reading
[edit]- "Christmas in Iceland". Embassy of Iceland, Washington DC. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013.
- "Grýla og jólasveinar". jol.ismennt.is. Archived from the original on 18 November 2005. Pictures by Halldor Petursson ca. 1950.
- "The Yule Lads". Jo's Icelandic Recipes. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015.
- "Jólasveinarnir (Yuletide Lads)". Yule in Iceland. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011.
- Petursson, Olafur. "The Yuletide Lads". Bokband.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2007. A translation of the poem by Jóhannes úr Kötlum.
- "Christmas in Iceland". jol.ismennt.is. Archived from the original on 11 November 2006. A comprehensive site on Christmas in Iceland with much information about Yule Lads and Grýla.
- Gunnell, Terry. "Grýla, Grýlur, Grøleks and Skeklers: Folk Drama in the North Atlantic in the Early Middle Ages?". jol.ismennt.is. Archived from the original on 13 October 2006.