This Icelandic Legend of Jólakötturinn, Is About The Giant ‘Yule Cat’ Who Eats People Without New Clothes On Christmas

Christmas is all about spreading joy, receiving gifts and spending time with your loved ones. Well, unless you’re a child who misbehaved throughout the year, then the holidays may not be as exciting as you wish. While no child would ever want to receive coal as a gift from Santa Claus, this may not be the only way to keep naughty children at bay. Other countries have much harsher Christmas spirits, and stories about them leave kids completely horrified. One of them is the Icelandic legend of Jólakötturinn, also known as the Yule Cat, who eats children (and sometimes adults) who don’t receive any new clothes before Christmas night.

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Illustration of Jólakötturinn, the giant Yule Cat of Icelandic legend, with glowing eyes and a misty forest background.

While these days receiving clothes for Christmas may be the equivalent of getting coal, it was completely different during the Dark Ages in Iceland. Back in the day, all family members were tasked with chores related to wool production.

Giant Yule Cat from Icelandic legend prowling near a snowy house at night, with glowing eyes and bushy fur.

Since the only thing a family could afford for Christmas was woolen clothes as gifts, it was only possible if everyone completed their tasks in time. Thus the legend of Jólakötturinn was born, to scare children and lazy adults into completing their work.

Illustration of the giant Yule Cat, Jólakötturinn, leaping through a snowy landscape in Icelandic legend.

It’s clear that Jólakötturinn is not a friendly kitty. This enormous cat peeks through the windows looking for children who didn’t receive their precious clothes during Christmas night.

Giant Yule Cat with glowing eyes in a dark setting, representing Icelandic legend of Jólakötturinn.

The cat then hunts them down and eats the naughty kids for dinner. Terrifying, isn’t it?

Woman holding a fluffy cat indoors with a Christmas tree and snow outside the window, inspired by Icelandic Yule Cat legend.

Right before the holidays, the PBS series Monstrum, hosted by Dr. Emily Zarka, prepared a story on this gruesome feline. You can watch it below.

Here’s how people reacted

Comment about Jólakötturinn, the Yule Cat, being better than Christmas with family, with 60 reactions.

Comment mentioning Jólakötturinn, the Yule Cat, companion of the witch Gryla.

Comment on Icelandic legend Jólakötturinn, the giant Yule Cat, humorously noting pressures to buy new clothes.

Facebook comment about the Icelandic legend of Jólakötturinn.

Facebook comment expressing love for cats, with likes and laughter reactions.

Comment discussing the Yule Cat, joking about not buying new Christmas clothes.

Comment about Jólakötturinn, the Yule Cat, humorously describing it as a kind cat offering coats.

Comment discussing Jólakötturinn legend and buying new clothes to avoid the Yule Cat.

Comment on Yule Cat legend, mentioning love for cats and dislike for buying clothes.

Comment by user about the Icelandic legend of Jólakötturinn, expressing desire to pet the giant Yule Cat.

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