Once you consider a visit to Iceland…
It’s most probably the untamed landscapes, enchanting Northern Lights or milky blue sizzling springs that leap to thoughts. However have you ever ever imagined that one thing lurking within the shadows may very well be what actually makes Iceland… Iceland?
In a spot the place the fantastic thing about the terrain appears considerably supernatural, it’s solely becoming for Iceland’s historical past to be filled with wealthy and peculiar folklore to match. Tales woven by the earliest Norse settlers are legendary, vibrant and, relying on who you ask… 100% true. Sure, they could be speaking about invisible beings with a penchant for mischief and child-stealing ogres, however these fantastical fables are extra than simply twisted fairy tales: they’re instruments for survival.
Settling in such a harsh and difficult setting was no straightforward feat, even for the Vikings, and the isolation and lengthy, darkish winters fostered storytelling as a main pastime. With one thing dangerous round each nook, from towering seaside cliffs to energetic volcanoes and enchantingly stunning however deadly seashores, locals crafted imaginative tales to show kids methods to endure excessive circumstances. Over centuries, a wealthy tapestry of folktales was born, creating a novel story for every attribute of this unforgiving land.
Whether or not these legends are actual, nobody can say for positive (though denying the existence of elves is believed to carry some fairly awful luck). If a journey to Iceland is within the playing cards, listed here are the highest 4 Icelandic mythologies and the place to search for them.
High journeys in Iceland
Elves
Also called the Huldufólk, or hidden individuals, elves are probably the most well-known of all the legendary beings in Iceland. Elves have been round for the reason that daybreak of time and don’t look and act so completely different than you and I… particularly across the winter holidays once they wish to social gathering like people. Though the elves aren’t inherently evil, it’s believed that dangerous fortune will befall those that upset them, so it’s not unusual to see building initiatives and street developments halted and rerouted in order to not disturb their legendary properties.
Whether or not the vast majority of locals are believers continues to be up within the air, however when travelling across the nation, you’ll most probably see álfhóls, or small wood properties that folks construct and beautify for the elves. In order for you the lowdown on Huldufólk earlier than you got down to discover them your self, contemplate a visit to The Icelandic Elfschool within the quirky capital metropolis of Reykjavik, a company that teaches guests about elves but additionally touches on all folklore and legendary beings in Iceland.
Trolls
Should you’re picturing the rainbow-coloured dancing trolls who thrive on friendship and hugging, you would possibly wish to suppose twice. Icelandic trolls are decidedly much less… cute. Large and grasping with a style for human flesh, trolls have a repute for stealing and consuming misbehaving kids, and tales of those ugly creatures are supposed to maintain misbehaving children in line.
Most trolls can solely transfer round at night time as a result of they may petrify in the event that they’re touched by daylight. Throughout Iceland, the terrain is dotted with distinctive rock formations which are mentioned to be the petrified stays of grasping trolls who dared keep out after daybreak solely to satisfy their stony destiny. Essentially the most notable location of trolls is the towering sea stacks off the coast of the black sand Reynisfjara Seaside, the place a reckless threesome bought caught within the solar attempting to pull a ship to land. Legend has it you possibly can nonetheless hear their wails from the water’s edge.
Go to the trolls of Reynisfjara seaside on our 5-day Iceland Specific journey
Yuletide Lads
Typically often known as Christmas Trolls, the 13 Yuletide Lad brothers hibernate in caves for a lot of the yr, making an look 13 days earlier than Christmas. The Yuletide Lads are infamous pranksters, descending on rural cities to harass locals, rob properties and steal meals. Should you maintain misplacing your glasses or automobile keys through the Yuletide, you may not be loopy… you would possibly simply be the sufferer of a cheeky Yuletide Lad.
Though Yuletide Lads of the previous had been identified for wreaking havoc, today, they’ve taken on a extra mainstream function in Icelandic tradition, appearing extra as Santa Claus-esque figures. Main as much as Christmas, the brothers will ship items to the nice kids and a rotten potato to those who misbehave, however the very worst ones will meet their destiny with the Yuletide Lads’ mom, giantess Grýla, whose favorite meals is human kids.
Rejoice with the Yuletide Lads on our Premium Iceland in Winter journey
Nykur
No Iceland journey is full with out a basic Icelandic horse sighting. However should you see one among these beautiful beings in or close to a lake, proceed with warning as a result of the Nykur is among the extra terrifying Icelandic folklore creatures. Presenting itself both in or close to a physique of water, these enchanting horse-adjacent entities seem tame and approachable. Utilizing its magnificence, it lures people nearer, and if mounted, it would use backward-facing hooves to run full velocity into the water, drowning its unsuspecting sufferer.
The legend of the Nykur is generally perpetuated by dad and mom attempting to maintain kids away from the water’s edge, however should you completely should get nearer to a horse standing on the lakeshore, it’s most likely a good suggestion to see which means its hooves are dealing with first.
Whereas folklore and storytelling aren’t as related in modern-day society, imagining the unbelievable surroundings filled with well-hidden elves or a seaside haunted by stone trolls on an Iceland street journey simply makes the expertise a bit of extra mystical. And when you don’t have to fret concerning the boogeyman, should you’re strolling at night time and also you hear a rustle within the shadows… it’s most likely greatest to choose up the tempo. Simply in case.
Attempt your luck at recognizing legendary creatures on one among Intrepid’s Iceland excursions.
