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Writer's pictureKerria Seabrooke

The 13 Yule Lads


Painting by Nis Bergslien (1853-1928)

The 13 Yule Lads (Jólasveinar) are trolls from Icelandic folklore who spend the Christmas season causing mischief and mayhem. In Iceland, children leave a shoe on the windowsill at night and in the morning, the shoe is filled with candy if they've been good, but naughty kids receive rotten potatoes. The 13 lads arrive one at a time, starting on December 12th. Each troll has a type of prank associated with it.

  1. Sheepcote Clod (Stekkjarstaur) is known for teasing sheep. 

  2. Gully Gawk (Giljagaur) hides in gullies and steals milk from cowsheds.

  3. Stubby (Stúfur) is a tiny lad who steals pots and pans

  4. Spoon Licker (Þvörusleikir) is a thin lad with a taste for wooden spoons.

  5. Pot Scraper (Pottaskefill) likes to scrape leftovers from pots.

  6. Bowl Licker (Askasleikir) hides under beds to steal bowls on the floor.

  7. Door Slammer (Hurðaskellir) is known for slamming doors at night.

  8. Skyr Gobbler (Skyrgámur) loves skyr (a local yogurt).

  9. Sausage Swiper (Bjúgnakrækir) likes to steal smoked sausages.

  10. Window Peeper (Gluggagægir) peers in windows for items to snatch.

  11. Doorway Sniffer (Gáttaþefur) has a large nose and sniffs out bread.

  12. Meat Hook (Ketkrókur) carries a hook to steal meat with.

  13. Candle Beggar (Kertasníkir) steals candles from children.

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