Yule Cat: The Icelandic Murder Floof of Christmas
Even though I haven’t been keeping up with my blogs very well the pass couple of months, we all knew I wasn’t going to let Christmas pass without writing a blog about cats.
As a pet photographer, cat mom, and cat lover, Yule Cat has quickly became one of my favorite Christmas legends, it was too good not to share.
Originally known as Jólakötturin, the first known mentions of the Yule Cat come from the 17th century. He towers above the tallest buildings, and silently prowls around Iceland on Christmas Eve looking for people without new clothes. The Yule Cat shows no mercy and eats the human before resuming his hunt for others.
Like most legends and myths there is a purpose for The Yule Cat story. It represents the need for warm clothes and successful wool production. Iceland began exporting wool during the Dark Ages and it quickly became essential for their economy and survival. Chores related to wool were the entire household’s responsibility during this time period; the most time consuming tasks being spinning and weaving. Christmas presents for most people were minimal, so it was extremely common to receive some small pieces of clothing. This could only be achieved if everyone participated and did their share when making the wool. Since the Yule Cat only attacks people who doesn’t receive new clothes, this giant cat was likely created as reaction to the importance of wool production, scaring children (his favorite prey) and adults into finishing their work in time for Christmas.
But why a Yule Cat? Why not a Yule Dog?
Well cats have always been more common than dogs in Iceland, both as pets and wild animals. Dogs were actually banned from the country in 1924! Today, dog owners must obtain a special permit to keep their pups.
Cats were also extremely important in Icelandic Mythology. The goddess of love and sorcery, Freya, traveled in the sky with a chariot pulled by two giant, flying cats. These cats resembled the Norwegian Forest Cat. This may be why the Yule Cat is usually portrayed as very fluffy and shaggy.
The Yule Cat is actually a pet to a family of trolls called, ‘The Yule Lads.’ The Yule Lads are the gift givers for Christmas instead of Santa Clause. Since about the 17th century these trolls (ranging for 9-22, most common number being 13) came down from their mountain one by one over 13 days before Christmas to leave small presents and to cause a little mischief. In the 20th century the Yule Lads, inspired by other cultures Santa Clause, started wearing red clothes and have white beards.
These trolls weren’t always friendly like our Jolly Saint Nick. Originally, they came down from the mountains, not to spread Christmas cheer, but to scare the children into obedience. Are your children crying too much or misbehaving? The Yule trolls would carry them back to their mountain. Since this caused some mass panic, the Iceland government abolished telling this story in 1764.
So remember, if your children complain about getting new clothes for Christmas tell them how you saved them from the giant murder floof that would have eaten them.
Here is an amazing poem my husband, Peter Bailey, wrote about the Yule Cat.
The Yule Cat
A roaring fire, warm and bright
Should keep at bay the winter's bite
But still you shutter, and you quake
And knit as if your life’s at stake
For if you stop your work and leave
Your doom befalls you Christmas Eve.
Some brand new clothes before you bed
Will keep you from losing your head
But time is short, so don’t delay
A job half-done will never pay
He’s watching everything we do
The Yule Cat cometh, just for you.
A silent paw print in the snow
A dreadful growling, soft and low
A flash of black, just out of sight
A dreadful stillness in the night
Don’t skip your work or you might find
The Yule Cat has come out to dine.