Yule Beasts: Grýla the Giant Troll, the Yule Lads and the Yule Cat
In my household, the Yule season has finished and soon, the Yule trimmings and decorations will come down. My focus will move to the garden, to prepare for spring and the growing season. In August we will explore the traditions of Imbolc, weather divination and Eastern European traditions that mark the end of winter. In the meantime, there are still a few more Yule traditions to learn about before July comes to a close. In this article, we will delve into the Icelandic folklore and traditions of Grýla the giant Yule troll, her thirteen sons called the Yule Lads, and her enormous Yule Cat. Enjoy!
Grýla the Yule Troll
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Grýla is a mythical character from Icelandic folklore, known as the Yule Troll or Christmas Witch. She is depicted as a fearsome giantess with a grotesque appearance, hooves for feet and thirteen tails, each one corresponding to her mischievous sons. According to legend, Grýla lives in a mountain cave in Iceland with her third husband, Leppalúði, their thirteen mischievous children, known as the Yule Lads, and her giant and terrifying Yule Cat.
Grýla has an insatiable appetite for mischievous children and during the Yule season in Iceland, which spans from December 12th to January 6th, she emerges from her cave, roaming the countryside to kidnap misbehaving children and take them back to her cave to cook in a large cauldron. The story of Grýla serves as a warning to Icelandic children to be on their best behaviour during the Yule season.
The Yule Lads
The Yule Lads, known as Jólasveinar in Icelandic, are Grýla’s thirteen mischievous sons. These naughty trolls start visiting children on the thirteen nights leading up to Yule, beginning on December 12th, and each one stays for a specific night before departing. The last one leaves on January 6th. During their visits, they place small gifts in well-behaved children’s shoes or play pranks on misbehaving children.
Each Yule Lad has his own distinct personality and peculiar behavior, which has changed and evolved over time. The modern names and personalities of the Yule Lads were formalised in a popular poem about the Yule Lads by Jóhannes úr Kötlum, which was first published in the 1932 book Jólin koma (Yule Is Coming):
Stekkjarstaur (Sheep-Cote Clod) - He sucks the milk from sheep but is impaired in his mission by his two peg (wooden) legs.
Giljagaur (Gully Gawk) - He sneaks into cowsheds and steals milk.
Stúfur (Stubby) - He's abnormally short and likes to steal pans to eat the crust left behind.
Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker) - He is tall and thin and steals wooden spoons to lick.
Pottasleikir (Pot-Scraper) - He licks the leftovers from pots and pans.
Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker) - He hides under beds, waiting for a chance to steal bowls of food.
Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer) - He likes to slam doors in the middle of the night, scaring people.
Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler) - He has an insatiable appetite for skyr (Icelandic yogurt).
Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper) - He loves to hide in the rafters and steal sausages that are left unattended.
Gluggagægir (Window-Peeper) - He peeks through windows to see if there's anything he can steal.
Gáttaþefur (Doorway-Sniffer) - He has a long nose that he uses to sniff out laufabrauð (leaf bread - you can find out more about laufabrauð in this article about Yule Sweets and Treats).
Ketkrókur (Meat-Hook) - He uses a hook to snatch any meat left out.
Kertasníkir (Candle-Stealer) - He follows children to steal their candles.
Over time, the Yule Lads' reputation has softened, and they are now mostly known for their playful antics rather than outright terror. Families often incorporate them into their Christmas celebrations, and it has become a cherished tradition to receive small gifts or playful pranks from the Yule Lads during the holiday season.
The charming video (8:18 mins) below contains an English language reading of the poem Jólin koma (Yule Is Coming) by Jóhannes úr Kötlum.
This next video (12:50 mins) is an interesting and in-depth look at the history of the Yule Lads.
Jólakötturinn the Yule Cat
The Yule Cat, known as Jólakötturinn in Icelandic, is said to live with Grýla and the thirteen Yule Lads, and is depicted as a massive and fearsome black and grey striped cat with glowing eyes and sharp claws. It is said to prowl the countryside during the Yule season, particularly on Yule Eve, in search of people who have not received any new clothes to wear before Yule.
The legend of the Yule Cat has its roots in an old Icelandic tradition that encouraged hard work and rewarded those who contributed to the household's welfare. In the past, it was believed that farmers who worked hard and produced a large quantity of wool throughout the year would be able to provide warm clothing for their families. Those who did not have new clothes to wear for Yule were considered lazy or unproductive.
To motivate people to work hard and complete their tasks before Yule, the threat of the Yule Cat was used as an incentive. The fear of the Yule Cat encouraged everyone, especially children, to finish their chores and contribute to the household's prosperity especially by ensuring everyone had a new set of clothes for Yule.
Today, the Yule Cat remains a popular figure in Icelandic Yule folklore and is often featured in various forms of media, such as books, artwork, and decorations. The tradition of receiving new clothes for Yule has also evolved into a symbol of care and thoughtfulness towards loved ones, emphasizing the importance of giving gifts that are practical and meaningful. The Yule Cat serves as a reminder of the value of hard work and the joy of sharing during the festive season.
The tradition of Grýla, the Yule Lads and the Yule Cat has deep-rooted origins in Icelandic folklore, dating back centuries. They served as a way to instill discipline and obedience in children during the Yule season, and ensure everyone had completed their chores and responsibilities before the Yule celebrations commenced and the new year began.
In modern Icelandic celebrations, the terrifying aspects of Grýla, the Yule Lads, and the Yule Cat have been toned down and they are now a light-hearted and cherished part of the country's Yule folklore.
Wouldn’t it be marvelous to visit Iceland at Yuletide? Have any of you been or do you celebrate Yule with Icelandic traditions? Let me know in the comments.
Stay tuned for the next article on the Yule gnomes called Yule Nisse or Yule Tomte. See you then!