Christmas traditions vary throughout the world, and not all countries incorporate Santa Claus. In Iceland, their Christmastime characters are a family of trolls (Grýla, Leppalúði, and the Yule Lads), along with a large cat (known as the Yule Cat). While some can bring gifts, there can also be mischief – and the punishment for bad behavior is much more serious than coal left in a stocking. Let’s explore these holiday traditions.
Iceland is a place rich in folklore, with tales of elves, trolls, and other supernatural entities. Elves in particular have made the news over the years, with articles asserting that many Icelanders still believe in these beings. Examples are often given of roadwork being altered to avoid supposed elf homes. I was very curious to learn more about these beliefs, especially their origins in Norse mythology and how they’ve evolved over time. In addition to reading various sources, I had the great pleasure of getting a guided tour of Hafnarfjörður, a town filled with elf lore and sometimes referred to as the elf capital.
