Gryla: The Terrifying Icelandic Christmas Witch Who Eats Naughty Children
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Let me introduce you to the most terrifying figure in Icelandic Christmas folklore—Gryla, the gruesome, cannibalistic Christmas witch. Now, you might be familiar with Krampus, the horned holiday horror who punishes naughty children across Europe, but Gryla is just as fearsome, if not more. In fact, she’s the queen of Christmas witches you definitely need to learn about.
In Iceland, being naughty during the festive season doesn’t just mean a lump of coal in your stocking. Oh no, it means Gryla might come and eat you. Yes, you read that right. This horrific witch has been terrorising Icelandic children with her child-eating ways for centuries, and even today, she’s a powerful figure in Icelandic culture. If you’re not behaving, you’d better watch your back, because Gryla is on the prowl.
A Monster for the Ages
The stories of Gryla go back to the Middle Ages, and in Icelandic folklore, trolls—especially female ones—were never ones to be messed with. These giants are known for their cruelty, dangerous behaviour, and deep hatred of Christianity. By the 13th century, “Gryla” came to be associated with a specific child-eating monster, and she hasn’t lost her terrifying reputation since.
One popular rhyme describes her as having a collection of 15 tails, each carrying 100 bags filled with 20 children, all destined to become her next meal. Another version of the tale goes even further, claiming Gryla has 40 tails and 300 heads, each with three eyes. Some versions say her eyes are on the back of her head, while others suggest her ears are so long that they hang down to her nose. And don’t even get me started on her hooves—because of course, she has those too.
But no matter how you slice it, Gryla is ugly. Like, truly, deeply ugly. Think of every horrifying creature you’ve ever heard of, then multiply the fear and grotesqueness by 10. That’s Gryla.
The Yule Lads: Her Mischief-Making Sons
Gryla doesn’t operate alone, of course. She has 13 sons, known as the Yule Lads, who cause mischief during the 13 days leading up to Christmas. Each of these troublemakers has his own antics, like stealing food, ruining candles, and generally making life a little more inconvenient for those who’ve been naughty. But the real kicker is that, if you think Gryla is scary, just wait until you hear about her companions.
The Yule Cat: Gryla’s Ferocious Feline
Gryla is also joined by her precious companion, the Yule Cat, or Jólakötturinn, who is just as nasty as she is. This enormous, menacing cat is known for devouring anyone—adults included—who hasn’t received new clothes for Christmas. In Iceland, the tradition of receiving new clothes is seen as a symbol of hard work throughout the year. So if you’ve slacked off and didn’t get anything new for the holidays, Jólakötturinn might just come and gobble you up.
Gryla’s Role in Icelandic Folklore
Gryla isn’t just some ancient monster for the sake of it. She’s a powerful cautionary tale for children and adults alike, reminding them to be good, work hard, and be kind to others. After all, if you don’t, you might just end up in one of her bags, ready to be served up as a festive feast. And although many parents in Iceland don’t believe in Gryla themselves, they sure know how to use her legend to their advantage. It’s the ultimate parenting tool: “Behave yourself, or Gryla will come for you!”
So, the next time you’re wandering through the snowy hills of Iceland, or perhaps just at home enjoying a holiday drink, remember: Gryla and her terrifying family are still out there, lurking in the shadows. And if you’ve been naughty, they might just come knocking at your door, ready to collect.
