List of Yule Lads
The Yule lads are said to "come to town" during the last 13 nights before Christmas, each staying for two weeks before departing. Below are the 'official' thirteen Yule Lads in the order they arrive (and depart).
Names in English are based on Hallberg Hallmundsson's translation of the poem.
| Icelandic Name | English translation | Description | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stekkjastaur | Sheep-Cote Clod | Harasses sheep, but is impaired by his stiff peg-legs. | December 12 | December 25 |
| Giljagaur | Gully Gawk | Hides in gullies, waiting for an opportunity to sneak into the cowshed and steal milk. | December 13 | December 26 |
| Stúfur | Stubby | Abnormally short. Steals pans to eat the crust left on them. | December 14 | December 27 |
| Þvörusleikir | Spoon-Licker | Steals Þvörur (a type of a wooden spoon with a long handle - I. þvara) to lick. Is extremely thin due to malnutrition. | December 15 | December 28 |
| Pottaskefill | Pot-Scraper | Steals leftovers from pots. | December 16 | December 29 |
| Askasleikir | Bowl-Licker | Hides under beds waiting for someone to put down their 'askur' (a type of bowl with a lid used instead of dishes), which he then steals. | December 17 | December 30 |
| Hurðaskellir | Door-Slammer | Likes to slam doors, especially during the night. | December 18 | December 31 |
| Skyrgámur | Skyr-Gobbler | A Yule Lad with an affinity for skyr. | December 19 | January 1 |
| Bjúgnakrækir | Sausage-Swiper | Would hide in the rafters and snatch sausages that were being smoked. | December 20 | January 2 |
| Gluggagægir | Window-Peeper | A voyeur who would look through windows in search of things to steal. | December 21 | January 3 |
| Gáttaþefur | Doorway-Sniffer | Has an abnormally large nose and an acute sense of smell which he uses to locate laufabrauð. | December 22 | January 4 |
| Ketkrókur | Meat-Hook | Uses a hook to steal meat. | December 23 | January 5 |
| Kertasníkir | Candle-Stealer | Follows children in order to steal their candles (which in those days was made of tallow and thus edible). | December 24 | January 6 |
Read more about this topic: Yule Lads
Famous quotes containing the words list of, list, yule and/or lads:
“Do your children view themselves as successes or failures? Are they being encouraged to be inquisitive or passive? Are they afraid to challenge authority and to question assumptions? Do they feel comfortable adapting to change? Are they easily discouraged if they cannot arrive at a solution to a problem? The answers to those questions will give you a better appraisal of their education than any list of courses, grades, or test scores.”
—Lawrence Kutner (20th century)
“Lastly, his tomb
Shall list and founder in the troughs of grass
And none shall speak his name.”
—Karl Shapiro (b. 1913)
“As I went on Yule day
In our procession,
Knew I jolly Jankin
By his merry tone—
Kyrie eleison.”
—Unknown. Jolly Jankin (l. Chorus.)
“This quiet Dust was Gentlemen and Ladies,
And Lads and Girls;”
—Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)