Monday, December 30, 2002
Thursday, December 19, 2002
Thirteen Santas and a Mean Cat
In old Icelandic folklore, Christmas brought with it a roguish band of brothers, the so-called Yuletide Lads. They were the offspring of the terrifying ogress Grýla, first mentioned in writing in the 13th century as a creature with 15 tails. Most stories of Grýla were told to frighten children – she was supposed to steal naughty children, put them in a sack and eat them. During the 19th century, the Yuletide Lads and their mother saw a gradual improvement in their image. From child-snatchers they developed into thieving tricksters who descended from the mountains one by one during the thirteen days before Christmas. Each of the Lads has a name which identifies him with his mischievous character, for example Sheepfold Stick, Gulley–oaf, Pot–licker, Peeping-Tom and Candle-beggar. These local ‘Santas’ got mixed up with the idea of a red-clad Santa bestowing gifts, and over the last century they have changed their outfits from natural woollens to red and white. Nowadays children place a shoe in their window on the thirteen days before Christmas, and if they’ve behaved well, the passing Yuletide Lad will leave them a present.
Another Christmas creature is the Yuletide Cat. This demoniac, gigantic black cat goes after the children who have no new clothes for the holidays. It is therefore a tradition for children to be given at least a pair of socks or gloves “so that the Christmas Cat won’t get you”.
for more
In old Icelandic folklore, Christmas brought with it a roguish band of brothers, the so-called Yuletide Lads. They were the offspring of the terrifying ogress Grýla, first mentioned in writing in the 13th century as a creature with 15 tails. Most stories of Grýla were told to frighten children – she was supposed to steal naughty children, put them in a sack and eat them. During the 19th century, the Yuletide Lads and their mother saw a gradual improvement in their image. From child-snatchers they developed into thieving tricksters who descended from the mountains one by one during the thirteen days before Christmas. Each of the Lads has a name which identifies him with his mischievous character, for example Sheepfold Stick, Gulley–oaf, Pot–licker, Peeping-Tom and Candle-beggar. These local ‘Santas’ got mixed up with the idea of a red-clad Santa bestowing gifts, and over the last century they have changed their outfits from natural woollens to red and white. Nowadays children place a shoe in their window on the thirteen days before Christmas, and if they’ve behaved well, the passing Yuletide Lad will leave them a present.
Another Christmas creature is the Yuletide Cat. This demoniac, gigantic black cat goes after the children who have no new clothes for the holidays. It is therefore a tradition for children to be given at least a pair of socks or gloves “so that the Christmas Cat won’t get you”.
for more
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)