Icelandic folklore inspires modern Christmas traditions

Our Heritage Trumbull County history

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part of a weekly series on our region's history coordinated by the Trumbull County Historical Society.

Did you ever wonder how traditions are started? Christmas traditions people practice today often have a connection to traditional tales and customs that are centuries old.

Of course, there is always a new spin on what is practiced, but the underlying idea is still present. Icelandic folklore is directly and indirectly related to traditions that are practiced today including Elf on the Shelf and receiving new clothing for Christmas.

To fully understand the connection, this story must begin with Gryla, known as the Christmas Witch in Icelandic folklore. The earliest reference of Gryla was a 17th century poem written by authors the Rev. Guomundur Erlendsson and Asgrimur Magnusson. Gryla was depicted as a parasitic beggar who would wander from house to house to collect children who had misbehaved and would then make a grisly stew.

In addition to Gryla, there also was her pet cat, Jolakotturinn (Yule Cat), who also wreaked havoc. The Yule Cat was taller than any building (at that time the tallest building was 256 feet) and would roam the countryside searching for children who were not wearing new clothes on Christmas Eve.

New clothes were symbolic of not being idle because if children were wearing new clothes, this meant that farmers were processing their wool into yarn. Children were at the mercy of their parents or guardians because if the Yule Cat saw they were wearing old garments, they would promptly be swallowed whole. Naturally, children were frightened! It wasn't until 1746 that such ghastly tales of Gryla and the Yule Cat were outlawed.

Gryla also had 13 unruly sons known as the Yule Lads. Beginning on Dec. 12, the Yule Lads would begin making their presence known. On Dec. 24 and 25, they would collectively partake in mischief. In order of appearance, here are the Yule Lads. Sheep-Cote Clod (Dec.12-25), who would try to steal sheep's milk; Gully Gawk (Dec. 13-26), who would steal the foam from buckets of cow's milk; Stubby (Dec. 14-27), who would steal food from frying pans; Spoon-Licker (Dec. 15-28), who would lick spoons that were laying around; Pot Scraper (Dec. 16-29), who would steal unwashed pots; Bowl Licker (Dec.17-30), who would steal food from under beds; Door Slammer (Dec. 18-31), who would stomp on floors and slam doors; Skyr Gobbler (Dec. 19-Jan. 1), who would eat all of the Icelandic yogurt; Sausage Swiper (Dec. 20-Jan. 2), who would steal and devour sausage; Window Peeper (Dec. 21-Jan. 3), who would peek inside windows and steal things that caught his eye; Doorway Sniffer (Dec. 22-Jan. 4), who stole and ate home-baked goods; Meat Hook (Dec. 23-Jan. 5), who stole meat that was left out; and Candle Stealer (Dec. 24-Jan. 6), who would steal candles, which were quite sought after during the long cold winter days.

Children would leave a shoe on the windowsill and receive candy if they were good and a rotted potato if they were naughty. Gryla, the Yule Cat, and the Yule Lads are all the subject of stories that have connections to modern traditions that are practiced today. Many parents will tell their children that Santa is always watching to make sure they are not misbehaving, only the consequence is not as dire as suffering the wrath of Gryla or the Yule Cat.

Also, the mischievous behavior of the Yule Lads can be seen with the Elf on the Shelf, which has gained in popularity since Carol Aebersold and Chandra Bell introduced Scout the Elf in 2005. So the next time you open a new outfit or pair of pajamas or are plotting the family elf's next adventure, remember that these traditions often have an indirect or direct connection to ancient folklore.