#Jólasveinar

[reykjavik-municipality]

We realize it's a bit too much to get familiar with all local customs, but this one is something everyone should take up really.

It's second yule. After our 13 days of yule we hold a second yule. The first is the same as any capitalist christmas except for the trolls and the child stealing giant cat.

Second yule is about taking down anything holiday related except the lights. The lights stay up as long as your neighbor's, and yes this becomes a game of virtue chicken. The most virtuous is the person who lasts almost the longest. It's a bit complicated and there was a nobel prize winner in economics that formulized the phenomenon.

It's your civic duty to light up the winter darkness

The first person to take them down hates yule, hates society, is not redeemable.

The last person to take them down is the laziest, tackiest and careless person alive

So instead of explaining that our society ir comprised of spiteful individuals we just say "they look so good, don't you think?" while we try to hide the tears in our eyes.

Would recommend.

[aromantisk-fagforening]

Wait actually further on that "nisse" thing. So in Norwegian folk belief there's a common concept, called a couple different things:

«tuft», «tuftekall», «tomt», «gardsbonde», «godbonde», «haugebonde», «gardrud», «rudkall» «rundbonde» (via wikipedia)

now I won't claim to understand every name, but some of them are like adjective-farmer, and "rud" is a suffix used for farms that were abandoned after the Black death. (source: me, hi I'm Norwegian this is taught in like fourth grade)

variations include (via wikipedia)

fjøsnisse - fjøs: house for "fe" which means like, cows and similar, sheep, pigs etc. (google translate just lied to me so please tell me the English word)

skipsnisse - ships (boats)

kirkenisse - church

hagenisse - garden. (see also: cobolds, garden gnomes, dwarfs)

in Norwegian jul tv you'll find most fjøsnisser, such as in "jul i Blåfjell" (jul in Blue Mountain) - a jul calendar tv program. I think also most cozy jul books too, but please prove me wrong.

translations & equivalents include:

tomte - sweden

goblin, gnome - England

Wichtel, Heinzelmännchen, Kobold - Germany

jólasveinar - Iceland

Contexts of "Nisser" in Norway

national-romance, because the period was about making a national identity it's not surprising they pulled up with nisser. Ibsen wrote plays with them. (via wikipedia)

the era of enlightenment. Wergeland portrayed nisser as bigoted and ignorant, as opposed to elves. (via wikipedia)

(pagan/heathen¹) yule times (jul), from as early as year 900 in icelandic & Norwegian culture it was for example tradition to set out porridge with butter for nisser, if you didn't they'd be pissed. (via NRK)

1. I think it's pagan/heathen, though 900 was during the Christening of Norway (year 850-1100) (sources: store norske leksikon, norgeshistorie)

(and cause apparently it's not common knowledge, "christmas" (originally "jul" or "yule" (which it still is called in Norway today)) does originate in Norse mythology and Nordic tradition, with supernatural spirits and animal sacrifice (source: store norske leksikon), and beer (ref that NRK article)) (and no I don't care if you ""disagree"" with history unless you are an actual historian). (and I don't care about christian aspects of the holiday today, bother someone else).

[mediamixs]

Meet these evil Christmas creatures

In various cultures, there are mythological Christmas beings associated with punishment and mischief. One well-known figure is Krampus, who originates from Austria and Central Europe. Krampus is depicted as an anthropomorphic, demonic goat who punishes misbehaving children by beating them with birch branches and carrying them off in a basket to consume them for Christmas dinner. Another being is Grýla, an ogress from Icelandic legend who kidnaps, cooks, and eats children who don't obey their parents. These creatures are part of traditional folklore and are often used as cautionary figures to encourage good behavior in children during the holiday season.

Apart from Krampus and Gryla, there are other evil Christmas creatures in various cultures. Some of these beings include:

Belsnickel (Pennsylvania Dutch): This spirit is known for wearing tattered clothes and frightening people during Christmas.

Jólasveinar (Iceland): These are the Yule Lads, a group of mischievous elves that cause trouble during the holiday season.

Zwarte Piet (Netherlands): This character is associated with Saint Nicholas and is known for his dark appearance, sometimes being referred to as Black Peter.

Perchta (Austria and Germany): This figure is an evil witch who flies on a broomstick and is sometimes associated with the abduction of children.

Straggele (Europe): These are horned demons that help Gryla punish bad children.

Hans Trapp (Germany): This character is a witch who tries to steal children's souls during the holiday season.

Kallikantzaroi (Greece): These demons spend most of the year underground and come to the surface during the 12 days of Christmas, causing mischief and seeking to steal children born during this period.

These creatures are part of traditional folklore and are often used as cautionary figures to encourage good behavior in children during the holiday season.

[miniar]

I ticked christian and believed but like greed-the-dorkalicious here, that's not exactly the correct answer. I'm Icelandic and in Iceland we have Jólasveinar or "the yule lads", which are thirteen young, male, trolls. Think, 17 year old boys, but monstrous, large and misshapen, raised in the mountains by a massive, monstrous woman who literally eats children and a massive equally monstrous man who's primary characteristic is that he never does a fucking thing to help out. These boys used to just terrorize the country side, taking turns, one a night from the eldest to youngest, for the thirteen nights leading up to Christmas eve (which is the primary celebration day here) and then they leave, one a night, until the "thirteenth" which is when the elves move homes and is the official final night of the holiday season.

Each one of these fuckers has his own thing that's pretty much his namesake. Hurðaskellir literally means "the slammer of doors" and his thing was to show up, slam doors, and make it impossible to sleep properly. Giljagaur however means something more like "dude of the ravines" and he just agitated the sheep and stole their milk straight from the teat iirc. Skyrgámur (eater of skyr), Bjúgnakrækir (stealer of sausages), and Askasleikir (licker of medieval equivalent of tupperware), would steal food. Kertasnýkir would beg for candles, or steal them, basically stealing your light, and he was the last to come, so on the eve of the darkest day of the year (solstice being the pagan yule) he'd fucking steal your light!

Now, the story goes that these dudes kinda softened and decided to be "nicer" than that, so if you were a good little boy, or girl, they might not take all your food and candles or keep you up all night and they might even leave you a small present or treat in your shoe if you put your shoe in your window. So we'd make little paper shoes out of christmas wrapping paper and put them in the window and in the morning there'd be a handfull of crisps or a clementine or a single small chocolate bar. Little things. Of course if you were a massive asshole they might tell their mother. Grýla. Her name is what is used as a translation for the term bogeyman in english. She would then come down the mountain, stuff you in a sack, take you home, and boil you in her stewpot and feed you to her worthless husband.

They also had a cat. The yulecat was the size of a small hut... so like... the size of a minivan... This cat would hunt and eat any child that didn't get a single piece of clothing for the holidays. Of course we all figured out pretty early that the treats came from our folks, but that still meant that if we misbehaved during those 13 days leading up to the big holiday then we wouldn't get a treat in our shoe. We'd get a single raw potato. As a warning. Because the lads are fair like that. You get a warning before they tell on you to their mum. This is still the standard here. You don't get a present on christmas "from santa" because there's thirteen dudes, and they've already left you snacks to keep you behaved for thirteen days! But the word "santa" is still translated to Jólasveinn in icelandic.

[landhoe-norris]

Yooooo Kertasníkir is your favourite of the Jólasveinar?! Nice

Sometimes I forget you're Icelandic because I'm bad with details but I just saw something you reblogged and got hit. My dad's side is Icelandic and I grew up with the Jólasveinar whenever I got to spend Christmas with him.

My dad passed earlier this year and I just wanted to say thank you for that, I know it was small but it was so comforting ❤️❤️❤️ I hope you get something lovely in your shoe tomorrow night

I got a lovely gift from Kertasníkir ❤️❤️ and it’s so cool that your dad’s side is Icelandic! I’m so sorry for your loss, but I hope you managed to have a lovely Christmas ❤️🥰

[valkxrie]

@kylo-wrecked sent an ask from this meme (accepting) [ lights ] sender and receiver admire the lights together

Her tongue tasted of Glühwein, lips stained with wine and spice. A gloved hand cradling a stained and steaming paper cup. Brunnhilde adored Christmas Markets; ever since she was a child, she had adored them. The lights, the smells, the food cooking, the skating rink (not that she could skate, she just enjoyed watching), the way the cold bounced off her coat and her blood refused it entry.

There was a magic to it that her bones smiled at. And now, her bones stood grinning at a Christmas tree as the first snow of winter began to fall in the city. It's breath flushed the tip of her nose.

She glanced at Ben, bundled up in coat with its collar pulled high and a scarf to his chin. Same as her. She sipped her drink and gave him the grin she had given the tree.

"Have you ever heard of the Jólasveinar - the Thirteen Yule Lads?"

A small accent escaped at the Icelandic word. A small sniff protested the cold. A small curiosity wondered what he had been like as a boy.

"You could be the fourteenth." She is teasing him, the wine climbing into her head and pinching cheeks. Brunnhilde lent her body against Ben's so they were a breath apart at the mouth and nowhere else. She watched him in the lights, in that first snow. "You could be a nice one. The Jólabókaflóð Lad. The bringer of the Christmas Book Flood."

The world moved around them, ignoring their recklessness and not knowing the line the walked. Beside the line stood questions and time. Hard questions. Short time. Ignored by wine and lights. By the first snow, the scent of pretzels, the sound of carols. Running on blood magic. Bone magic. Binding magic. And him.

[smiteworks]

New Release Beware the Yule Cat (2E) Frog God Games

Beware the Yule Cat is a holiday-themed adventure. As the adventurers face the wrath of the ferocious Yule Cat, they must also deal with the cruel pranks of the Yule Lads, who are determined to spoil Yule for everyone. Things go from bad to worse when the party discovers that the Jólasveinar have kidnapped the mayor's infant son, and taken him to their lair on nearby Snow Mountain, possibly bound for Grýla's stewpot! Köldhorn seems bound for a cold, dark Yuletide, but the adventurers may have a chance to make it merry for all.

[ask-carlos-theghosttoaster]

CHRISTMAS EVE PEOPLE!!! Gotta stay up and try to catch Santa, who’s with me?

[catcnz]

A ogni porta il suo! #iceland #bedroomdoor #painting #tvisvar #art #jólasveinar (presso Milli Vina Guesthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJRFJ7hFpHt/?igshid=bduamf4p3n69

[schneckie]

I just wanted to say your tags on post/625558122902224896 reminded me that I just heard a Yule Lads tale (from Tales podcast, which I recommend if you love all kinds of fairytales) and absolutely LOVED their names. I am such a sucker for all their silly descriptive names and their amazing personalities!

Thanks for the podcast recommendation! I will check it out. Yeah, I love nonsensical names, too, and if it’s anything to do with folk/fairy stories, I’m in!

[mariagislart]

🇮🇸Minningar 🇬🇧Memories. Card with my mom’s beautiful handwriting. The Yule Lands are done when I was young. Grýla and Leppalúði are done later, around 30 years ago . . . . . #yulelads #challigraphy #beutifulhandwriting #jólasveinar #folklore #icelndicfolklore #jul #mythologicalcreatures #mythology #mythical #christmasstory #christmas #jol #navidad #wheinachten #juletid (at Reykjavík, Iceland) https://www.instagram.com/hiddenmaria/p/CXYoYFCgT-a/?utm_medium=tumblr

[reykjavik-municipality]

Jól are upon us! The festival of lights! Holiday spirit abound!

Be careful to buy people you know new socks and be mindful of closing doors and windows.

[agentur-snapshot-photography]

Sorry kids, #SantaClaus trapped in #reykjavik #fun #christmasseason #christmas #weihnachten #weihnachtsmann #jólasveinar #iceland #icelandtoday #icelandphoto #reykjavikcity #strollingreykjavik #streetsofreykjavik #strollingaround #strolling #strollingrvk (hier: Reykjavík, Iceland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIyKLkuKQ-z/?igshid=1xs2ktmvwepgl

[firefox-enthusiast]

Stekkjastaur and giljagaur are already here, these gift giving trolls have come to my children's window and gifted them fruits and toys, next up is stúfur, which is my personal favorite because he's tiny.

the boys are back in town

[silentambassadors]

Happy Aðfangadagskvöld, Iceland!  The Yule Lads (Stekkjarstaur, Giljagaur,  Stúfur, Þvörusleikir, Pottaskefill, Askasleikir, Hurðaskellir, Skyrgámur,  Bjúgnakrækir, Gluggagægir, Gáttaþefur, Ketkrókur, and Kertasníkir) have all arrived and it’s time to celebrate, Icelandic style!

Stamp details: Issued on: November 4, 1999 From: Reykjavík, Iceland MC #928-940

[germanicseidr]

Mannetje van Willemstad

Last year I wrote a post about the belief in gnomes. Gnomes are an important aspect of Germanic spirituality. They are found all over Europe, in all the Germanic countries and in other cultures like the Celtic and Slavic culture. Gnomes are believed to be tiny beings who like to live close to humans, preferably inside a human's home.

Gnomes in most traditions act like guardian spirits who protect your house or family if you act kindly towards these guardian spirits. They can however also be quite malicious in some traditions. The Scandinavians know them as: the Nisse, Jólasveinar, Húsvaettir. The Dutch know them as: Kobolds, Dwergen, Aardmannetjes, Alvermannen, Aardgeesten and Kabouters, derived from the proto-Germanic words kubô-Walda meaning house/shed ruler/friend.

The English people have many names for different kinds of gnomes like the Hobs. The Hob is the main inspiration of the house elves you find in the Harry Potter books. To get rid of a Hob in your home, you had to present a piece of clothing to it, just like in the Harry Potter books. (I had to mention this as a huge Harry Potter nerd)

The German people know them as Kobolds, Kaukis and the Heinzelmännchen. Like the Dutch counterparts, these beings are helpful and sensitive but will leave you forever if you look for them. The Slavs know them as the: Šotek, Domovoj and Kikimora. The Kikimora can be spotted in the Witcher 3 game.

The Irish people know them as Leprechauns, Greeks as the Kallikantzaros, The Swiss as the Barbegazi, the French as the Nain Rouge and the Spanish/Portuguese know them as the Duende. As you can see, the belief in these little household guardians is widespread. In my previous post I made the suggestion that the belief in gnomes was brought to Europe by the Proto-indo European people but there is possible evidence that gnomes were already known by the ancient European people because of the 'Mannetje van Willemstad'.

Gnomes are especially important creatures in Dutch mythology. The belief in these little guys has been woven strongly into local folklore and every modern day Dutch person knows the Kabouter Spillebeen song. (the age of this song is unknown but it has been passed on by oral tradition so it could very well be a Pre-Christian song) During the construction of the Deltawerken, an important Dutch defense line against the sea, a construction worker found a very special little wooden man on 21st April 1966.

8 meters below sealevel, a little wooden statue was found which was deliberately placed between the roots of an oak tree. The little statue is about 12,5 centimeters tall. Its age was determined to be around 7500 years old with the help of c-14 dating. This makes the statue very unique.

Some historians believe that this little statue could be a portrayal of a gnome. The fact that it was deliberately placed between the roots of an oak tree suggests this was no mere toy but an object most likely used by a shaman or priest in a shamanic ritual. Keep in mind that this statue was buried around the year 5400BC, centuries before polytheistic religions were introduced in western Europe.

We know that hunter-and-gatherer tribes in Western and Northern Europe used rituals to bury their dead and that they had shamans who used objects like this little statue to keep in contact with the spirit world. If this statue is really a portrayal of a gnome, then the belief in gnomes is much older than previously believed. This statue was buried 2500 years before the arrival of the Proto-Indo-Europeans.

If you follow the continental Germanic pagan path, or basically any other European pagan path, don't just worship the Gods and your ancestors. Keep in mind that these little beings still guard your homes after thousands of years and you could try to show them your appreciation by giving them an offering like a small dish of milk.

You can visit the statue of Willemstad in the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden, the Netherlands.

Here are pictures of: Mannetje van Willemstad,  Kabouter Spillebeen painting, Gnomes in the Efteling, the Netherlands, picture taken by me,