Who Are The 13 Yule Lads?

       The Yule Lads are the sons of Grýla and Leppalúði. They are a group of 13 mischievous pranksters who steal from or harass the population in old Icelandic tradition; they all have descriptive names that convey their favorite way of harassing. They come to town one by one during the last 13 nights before Yule. They leave small gifts in shoes that children have placed on windowsills, but if the children have been disobedient, they instead leave a rotten potato in the shoe.These Christmas-related folktales first appeared around the 17th century and displayed some variation based on region and age. In modern times, these characters have taken on slightly more benevolent roles. 

       The first mention of the Yule Lads can be found in the 17th-century "Poem of Grýla". Grýla had appeared in older tales as a troll, but had not been linked to Christmas before. She is described as a hideous being who is the mother of the gigantic Yule Lads, a menace to children. 

       Early on, the number and depiction of the Yule Lads varied greatly depending on location. They were used to frighten children into good behavior, similar to the bogeyman. The King of Denmark objected to their use as a disciplinary tool.

        In 1746, the use of the Yule Lads myths to overly instill fear in children was officially banned, leading to the myths being made more benign. In the late 18th century, a poem mentions 13 of them. In the mid-19th century, author Jón Árnason drew inspiration from the Brothers Grimm and began collecting folktales. His 1862 collection is the first mention of the names of the Yule Lads. 

       In 1932, the poem "Yule Lads" was published as a part of the popular poetry book Christmas is Coming (Jólin koma) by Icelandic poet Jóhannes úr Kötlum. The poem was popular and established what is now considered the canonical 13 Yule Lads, their names, and their personalities. Not all of them have folkloric roots, however, but those that do, I will include on later posts.

       The day each yule lad appears before Christmas, Each yule lad's proper Icelandic name, the interpretation into English:

1. December 12 – Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote-Clod) - torments the sheep
2. December 13 - Giljagaur (Gully Gawk) - steals milk from the cows
3. December 14 - Stúfur (Stubby) the shortest of all the lads, steals leftover pie crusts
4. December 15 - Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker) - the thinest of all, licks wooden spoons
5. December 16 - Pottaskefill (Pot-Scraper) - steals pots from kitchens to lick them clean
6. December 17 - Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker) - hides beneath beds to find bowls to lick clean
7. December 18 - Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer) - make noise
8. December 19 - Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler) - loves Icelandic yogurt called "Skyr" but also loves gingerbread, cakes, pies and candies
9. December 20 - Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper) - swipes sausages
10. December 21 - Gluggagægir (Window-Peeper) - 
11. December 22 - Gáttaþefur (Doorway-Sniffer) steals a type of bread called "" has a very large nose
12. December 23 - Ketkrókur (Meat-Hook)
13. December 24 - Kertasníkir (Candle-Stealer)

       There were originally more Yule lads than the standard 13 listed above and some of them were Yule lasses. Below are just a few examples.

• Tallow Socks: She was a large old woman would steal the tallow (fat) and Christmas knitted socks.
• Tallow Nostril: Her nose was large enough to store large quantities of tallow and also small naughty children could be stored there as well...

Learn More About The Yule Lads:

• See modern depictions of Yule Lads at The Restless Viking here.
• YouTuber Karen Clement shares her experience crafting all of the Yule lads for her Christmas "rabbit hole!"
• Ask An Expert: Who Are the Yule Lads?