12/15/2025 | 12:00 PM
The tale of the Yule Cat might surprise you. It tells of a giant cat that prowls the winter nights, devouring those who don’t get new clothes for Christmas. Not exactly festive, right?
Yet underneath lies a beautiful reminder to care for one another and to share warmth when it’s needed most. And that’s why the story of the Yule Cat, however un-Christmassy it seems at first glance, deserves to take flight.
Jólakötturinn (the Yule Cat) is a mythical beast said to eat those who have nothing new to wear for Christmas Eve. There's a longstanding Icelandic tradition of children receiving an item of clothing as a gift to ward him off.
There's also an Icelandic saying: Ekki fara í Jólaköttinn. Literally, it's a warning: 'Don't go into the Yule Cat', or 'Don’t end up in the belly of the Yule Cat'. It's used as a playful reminder (to both adults and chldren) in the lead-up to Christmas to not get caught unprepared – and to stay festive, and maybe treat yourself (and others) to something new for the season.
The darkness of the Christmas season has conjured up all sorts of scary creatures, among them a trouble-making bunch of Yule Lads, 13 in all, an ogress named Grýla, and a somewhat terrifying Christmas cat.
Where does the idea of a weird creature like the Yule Cat come from? The roots of this folklore go back as far as the days when Icelanders were living in isolated turf houses.
In the middle of winter, with the darkness creeping in and strange noises howling outside, it’s easy to understand how the Yule Cat – and all of its cohort – sprang into existence in the imagination of the Icelandic people.
From the ogress Grýla and her grotty husband Leppalúði, to their cheeky Yule Lads who can be found slamming doors and stealing candles, their characters come alive in the darkness.
Over time, these folkloric creatures have become tamer and friendlier. Instead of stealing and wreaking havoc, the Yule Lads are now in the habit of leaving treats in children’s shoes left on the windowsill in anticipation of their visits (a gift if they've been good, a potato if not!).
The first mention of the Yule Cat is from an 1862 collection of folklore, but it became part of classic Icelandic Christmas lore in 1932, when Jóhannes úr Kötlum published his poetry collection Jólin koma ('Christmas is Coming'). One of the poems, 'Jólakötturinn', centered on the hungry cat – and the cat captured imaginations and went on to take a leading role in Christmas festivities and decorations. There's even a large illuminated figure of the Yule Cat in downtown Reykjavík, where Austurstræti meets Lækjargata.
These days, the Yule Cat is closely linked with other figures from Icelandic folklore – it's considered the pet of the ogress Grýla and her sons, the Yule Lads.
The darkness of the Christmas season has conjured up all sorts of scary creatures, among them a trouble-making bunch of Yule Lads, 13 in all, an ogress named Grýla, and a somewhat terrifying Christmas cat.
,Where does the idea of a weird creature like the Yule Cat come from? The roots of this folklore go back as far as the days when Icelanders were living in isolated turf houses.
In the middle of winter, with the darkness creeping in and strange noises howling outside, it’s easy to understand how the Yule Cat – and all of its cohort – sprang into existence in the imagination of the Icelandic people.
From the ogress Grýla and her grotty husband Leppalúði, to their cheeky Yule Lads who can be found slamming doors and stealing candles, their characters come alive in the darkness.
Over time, these folkloric creatures have become tamer and friendlier. Instead of stealing and wreaking havoc, the Yule Lads are now in the habit of leaving treats in children’s shoes left on the windowsill in anticipation of their visits (a gift if they've been good, a potato if not!).
,The first mention of the Yule Cat is from an 1862 collection of folklore, but it became part of classic Icelandic Christmas lore in 1932, when Jóhannes úr Kötlum published his poetry collection Jólin koma ('Christmas is Coming'). One of the poems, 'Jólakötturinn', centered on the hungry cat – and the cat captured imaginations and went on to take a leading role in Christmas festivities and decorations. There's even a large illuminated figure of the Yule Cat in downtown Reykjavík, where Austurstræti meets Lækjargata.
These days, the Yule Cat is closely linked with other figures from Icelandic folklore – it's considered the pet of the ogress Grýla and her sons, the Yule Lads.
,Interested to know more about the Yule Cat's presence in Icelandic life?
Here's Björk singing the 'Jólakötturinn' poem by Jóhannes úr Kötlum, on a Christmas album from 1986. Follow along with the complete translated lyrics.
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The 'Jólakötturinn' poem is lengthy, opening with the setting of the scene:
You all know the Yule Cat, and that cat was huge indeed.
People didn't know where he came from, or where he went.
And it finishes with a reminder of what the season is all about:
You may want to keep it in mind, to help if there is a need
For somewhere there might be children, who have nothing at all.
Perhaps looking out for those who suffer, and live in a lightless world
Will give you a happy day, and a merry Christmas.