The Yule Lads, who each have their own quirky personality traits (a la the Seven Dwarfs) are the sons of Grýla. Grýla is a horrifying Icelandic monster that lives in the wild landscape of Iceland. She is known to hunt naughty children, cook them and eat them in her mountain cave. Though she wasn’t always a Christmas figure, she did evolve into one. In medieval sources, Grýla was described as a troll-like figure. She’s also been described with fox-like attributes, which meant that she became associated with arctic foxes over time.
In folk tales, Grýla had thirteen sons with Leppalúði. There isn’t much to say about Leppalúði except that he is depicted as lazy and typically seems to stay in his cave.
Each Yule Lad is known for a different, specific form of mischief. And they each arrive on different days during the month of December.
Starting on December 12th, Stekkjarstaur or Sheepcote Clod arrives and is known to harass sheep. But he can only do so much because of his stiff peg-legs. On December 13th, Giljagaur or Gully Gawk joins the party. As you might guess from his name, Gully Gawk tends to hide in gullies, awaiting the perfect moment to sneak into the barn and steal cow’s milk. On the 14th, Stúfur or Stubby joins in on the fun. Stubby is known for his short stature, and is known to steal pans for “the food baked to the bottoms and brims.”
On December 15th, we welcome Þvörusleikir or Spoon Licker. Spoon Licker licks spoons. On the 16th, Pottaskefill or Pot Scraper joins. Both Spoon Licker and Pot Scraper and desperately hungry, looking for scraps of food to ingest. Askasleikir or Bowl Licker comes on the 17th, and Hurðaskellir, Door Slammer joins the party on the 18th.
The next day, Skyrgámur, also known as Skyr Gobbler visits. Skyr Gobbler is known to gobble down incredible Icelandic yogurt. Bjúgnakrækir stops by on the 20th. Also known as Sausage Swiper, is known to hides in the rafters and steal sausages as they are being smoked. Gluggagægir or Window Peeper visits on the 21st, Peeper is constantly looking through windows, surveying items to steal.
Gáttaþefur or Doorway Sniffer arries on the 22nd, Sniffer uses his large nose to help track down leaf bread. Ketkrókur or Meat Hook arrives on the 23rd. And finally, on the 24th Kertasníkir or Candle Beggar tracks down children who are burning tallow made candles, which are in turn edible.
While The Yule Lads are incredible, The Yule Cat might be even more fascinating. This Icelandic cat is said to be the pet of Grýla and The Yule Lads. The cat, or Jólakötturinn, is not as kind as Grýla and her sons, if you can believe it. The cat is known to kill any and all, only saving those that received new Christmas clothes to wear on Christmas Eve.
Similar to almost all Christmas folklore across western regions, these Icelandic Christmas characters are meant to scare children into good behavior. While Grýla dates back a bit further, the first mention of The Yule Lads comes from a 17th Century Poem of Grýla.
Listen to episode 148 of the Lunatics Radio Hour podcast for more on this Christmas mythology.