Icelandic Folklore and Mythology
Far away at the edge of the world and covered with dark and spooky volcanic landscapes, Iceland’s folklore and fairytales are filled with thrilling stories of elves, trolls, witches, wizards, ghosts, and fearsome sea creatures.
Famous writers like J.R.R. Tolkien and Jules Verne were inspired by this mythical and mysterious land, even though neither ever explored Iceland themselves.
“The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” draw on Norse mythology, rituals, and language, while “Journey to the Center of the Earth” is set in the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland.
Isolated from the rest of the world for centuries, Icelanders developed a strong belief in the supernatural. They witnessed the mighty forces of nature do battle, and erupting volcanoes were considered gateways to Hell.
Fantastic tales mix Norse mythology with Celtic and pagan folklore, later combining with biblical beliefs when Iceland became a Christian country in 1000 AD.
Storytelling around the fire during the long winter nights evolved into a rich literary heritage, filled with tales of strange beings, supernatural events, and mysterious creatures roaming the untamed wilderness of the Land of Fire and Ice.
The Sagas
First settled in the 9th century, Iceland’s early pioneers quickly founded a new society, free from the kings and queens of their old homelands to make their own rules.
The Viking spirit of boundless exploration and energetic adventures defined the young Icelandic nation, triggering tales of wild family feuds, doomed romances, violent land disputes, political conspiracies, reckless arson, and brutal murders.
The Icelandic Sagas were written a couple of centuries after these turbulent times and are now regarded as the cornerstone of Icelandic culture, heritage, and history.
Equal parts genealogy, history, and tragic drama, the Sagas were primarily compiled by Snorri Sturluson and other Icelandic historians in Old Norse during the 13th century.
That means modern-day Icelanders can read them quite easily because the Icelandic language has remained essentially unchanged over the centuries.
Snorri Sturluson, also known as the “Homer of the North,” lived from 1179 to 1241, and his most important work, the “Prose Edda,” is the most detailed collection of the Norse myths.
The most famous Icelandic Sagas (Íslendingasögur) have been translated into English, and the prose narrative style makes them simple to follow.
These thrilling legends are as exciting as any Netflix drama, packed with murder, arson, and revenge (Njáls Saga), Viking vendettas, contested inheritances, and political strife (Egil’s Saga), or a good old-fashioned tragic love triangle (the Laxdæla Saga).
There’s an Icelandic Saga to suit everyone’s tastes!
While the Sagas have a strong element of fiction, they also reflect the real-life conditions and culture of Iceland’s formative years, making them a unique resource for anyone interested in its history.
The Yule Lads
Icelandic children don’t get just one Santa - they get 13!
When Christmas comes in Iceland, so does its unique band of “bonus Santas,” the Yule Lads, an unruly gang of pranksters who descend from mountain caves, leaving tricks or treats everywhere they go.
In Icelandic folklore, the Yule Lads, their ogre parents Grýla and Leppalúði, and the Yule Cat were the “bogeymen” used to scare naughty children into good behavior.
The Yule Lads are named after the tricks they pull on their unsuspecting victims, like Door Slammer, Sausage Swiper, and Candle Stealer. Scroll to the end of this article for a complete list of them all!
Once feared, the Yule Lads are now considered much more friendly festive visitors and have become an integral part of the Icelandic Christmas calendar.
In the thirteen days leading up to Christmas Eve, each Yule Lad will either leave treats or rotten potatoes in the shoes left on children’s window sills, depending on the child’s behavior!
However, Grýla has not joined her sons in softening up over the years, nor has the Yule Cat!
The fearsome troll mother still preys on disobedient children, while Jólakötturinn (the Yule Cat) is a colossal cat that strikes fear into every Icelander.
Legend suggests that the Yule Cat eats those who don’t receive new clothes* (or a soft gift) from their family or friends.
*not really, but don’t tell the kids….
The Trolls of Iceland
Everywhere you go in Iceland, there are cliff faces, sea stacks, and rock pinnacles with fascinating fables attached to them, usually involving trolls.
Often depicted as gigantic, lumbering, greedy, and dangerous, trolls are magical creatures of the night who will be turned to stone if caught in sunlight.
When you visit Reynisfjara on a South Coast tour, you’ll see the Reynisdrangar standing just offshore, a few feet away from the dramatic black sand beach.
In Icelandic folklore, the Reynisdrangar are described as two trolls attempting to capture a three-masted ship, surprised by the sunrise and frozen in time forever.
Many more magnificent rock formations in Iceland are said to have once been living trolls, petrified into stone in the same way, including Hvítserkur in North Iceland and Kerling in the Westfjords.
Locals often refer to Dimmuborgir in North Iceland as the “House of Trolls,” the scary cave home of Grýla and the Yule Lads.
Usually found living deep in the Icelandic Highlands, trolls keep to themselves, traveling at night.
The Hidden Folk
If you ask an Icelander if they believe in elves (the “Hidden People”), you might be surprised by the answer!
Various surveys over the years have shown surprisingly high numbers of people who still say, “Yes, I do.”
Iceland’s relative isolation until the Second World War may be a factor. Even now, you will find elf shrines, elf homes, and other signs of the huldufólk all over the country.
Elves have appeared in Norse mythology for centuries, depicted as eternal beings with supernatural powers.
In Iceland, the huldufólk live in “enchanted rocks” or cliffs, living similar lives to humans, fishing, farming, and picking berries.
These enchanted “elf-towns” have a special place in the hearts of Icelanders - roads have even been rerouted to leave them in peace!
Like trolls, elves keep themselves to themselves but can be spotted on specific dates in the calendar, including Midsummer’s Night and New Year’s Eve.
The Monsters of Iceland
Surrounded by the wild waters of the Atlantic Ocean and fathomless fjords, Icelandic mythology and folklore feature many monsters of the deep.
The most famous is the Lagarfljót Worm, a poison-spitting Loch Ness-type monster that lurks in the lake next to Egilsstaðir in East Iceland. It was first reported in 1345 and has been spotted many times since.
A fascinating folktale tells the story of a mythical half-man, half-whale called “Red-Head” who caused trouble and drowned fishermen in Hvalfjörður, near the capital.
A local priest supposedly tricked Red-Head into swimming out of the fjord and uphill towards the Glymur waterfall, where it perished in the shallow waters.
Folklore suggests that whalebones have been found there, far from the sea.
Not far from the international airport on the Reykjanes peninsula, Kleifarvatn is one of the deepest lakes in the country, and there are tales of a whale-like monster hiding in its depths, too.
The village of Bíldudalur in the Westfjords is home to the Icelandic Sea Monster Museum (Skrímslasetrið).
Multimedia displays, maps, radio broadcasts, and videos accompany local legends about lake and sea-dwelling leviathans.
The stories and monsters on display have to be seen to be believed!
There are more than a few stories of Icelandic monsters on land, too.
As you approach the puffin colony at Bakkagerði in East Iceland, you’ll see a large cross by the side of the road above the cliffs.
The story goes that a mythological monster called Naddi used to ambush travelers on the road until a local farmer pushed him over the cliffs into the sea.
The Ghosts of Iceland
Iceland has a long history of witchcraft and wizardry, and there was a time when many men were burned at the stake after being accused of sorcery!
The Museum of Sorcery and Witchcraft in the charming Westfjords fishing village of Hólmavík brings dark tales of Iceland’s spellbound past to life with astonishing installations and artifacts.
If you want to learn more, Google “necropants,” but be prepared - it’s a scary story!
The Land Wights
Iceland’s coat of arms features the Landvættir (Land Wights), the four legendary guardians who protected the country against foreign invaders.
Folklore tells of a Norwegian king considering an invasion of Iceland and sending a sorcerer to spy for places to land.
Taking the form of a whale, the sorcerer tried to go ashore four times but was repelled by the Land Wights every time.
A mighty dragon stood against him in the Eastfjords while a giant griffin resisted him in North Iceland.
In the Westfjords, a bronzed bull pushed the wizard whale back. Finally, a rock giant foiled the sorcerer spy on the Reykjanes peninsula.
The Dragon, Griffin, Bull, and Mountain Giant are the eternal defenders of each quarter of Iceland, commemorated on Icelandic coins and the coat of arms.
Fjallkonan
The “Lady of the Mountain” (Fjallkonan) became an iconic figure in Iceland after the personification of the nation as a woman in a famous 18th-century poem, “Ofsjónir við jarðarför Lovísu drottningar”.
Fjallkonan is depicted with a crown of ice from which fires erupt and is accompanied by the raven, Iceland’s most revered bird, against the backdrop of mountains and moonlight.
The “Lady of the Mountain” is now the focal point of the annual independence celebrations each June 17th, where an Icelandic actress will wear skautbúningur (the national costume), play the part, and read a poem to huge crowds.
Ravens
The puffin might be the most popular bird in Iceland, and the gyrfalcon is the unexpected choice as its “national bird,” but the humble raven enjoys revered status in Iceland.
Ravens are deeply ingrained in Norse mythology - Odin is thought to have had two (Huginn and Muninn) that brought him news and messages from around the world.
All The Yule Lads
December 12th: Stekkjarstaur - “Stiff Legs” or Sheep-Cote Clod
Has long, stiff legs and steals milk by suckling farmers’ ewes but finds it difficult because of his legs.
December 13th: Giljagaur - “Gully Gawk”
Hides in gullies above the town, then steals milk from cowsheds.
December 14th: Stúfur - “Stubby”
Small and short, he steals pots and pans and eats the leftovers.
December 15th: Þvörusleikir - “Spoon Licker”
Portrayed as long and thin, he steals unwashed spoons, which he licks clean.
December 16th: Pottaskefill - “Pot Scraper”
Steals unwashed pots and licks them clean.
December 17th: Askasleikir - “Bowl Licker”
Also steals unattended food bowls, which he then licks clean.
December 18th: Hurðaskellir - “Door Slammer”
Slams any doors that are kept ajar at night, keeping people awake.
December 19th: Skyrgámur - “Skyr Gobbler”
Steals skyr from the pantry whenever the chance arises.
December 20th: Bjúgnakrækir - “Sausage Swiper”
Hides in the rafters to snatch sausages that are hung up for smoking.
December 21st: Gluggagægir - “Window Peeper”
Lies outside the house, peeking through windows,
December 22nd: Gáttaþefur - “Door Sniffer”
This Yule Lad has a huge nose and sniffs out where people are baking, then steals cakes and cookies.
December 23rd: Ketkrókur - “Meat Hook”
Steals any hanging meat (hangikjöt) using a long hook.
December 24th: Kertasníkir - “Candle Stealer”
Steals candles from children.
It’s said that one Yule Lad will stay at one farm or location for thirteen days in a row before leaving for their mountain hideouts. Imagine having your doors slammed every day for Christmas!
Iceland’s myths and legends are integral to the national character, as fascinating and unique as the country that inspired these thrilling tales.
If you want to learn more, take a guided walking tour around the city or pick up a copy of “Icelandic Folk Tales and Fairytales” by Jón Árnason in one of its many bookshops.