Iceland's Mystical Beings
Hidden People, Elves and Trolls all reside here.
With Iceland's contrasting and extreme landscapes even a skeptic will wonder about the possibilities of another world's existence
Lately, as more and more foreigners are discovering this North Atlantic island's charms, the mystical side of Iceland is gaining momentum too.
Now before scoffing and creditings such actions to a night of heavy Brennevin (the local firewater) drinking; you should realize these ideas have a long and documented history.
A combination of the Old Norse religion and the legends of captured Celtic slaves lead ancient Icelanders to develop their beliefs. The Eddas, poems and narrative of early Vikings, relate stories of Odin, Ymir and the Middle Earth. This all occurred centuries before J.R.R. Tolkien and Hollywood even exisited
Talk to almost any modern-day Icelander and they smile upon the mention of hidden people, trolls and elves – but few will deny them! Many relate personal visits to fortune tellers, special card readings and having old aunt, or two with the "the magic eye". This special supernatural power enables her to communicate with the other world.
Good rule of thumb in Iceland – always be kind to strangers. You never know who (or what) they might be.
Here is your supernatural scorecard:
Trolls are hideous, greedy creatures said to have erupted from the rotting corpse of a giant, and banished to the deep underworld. Should they be caught above ground at daylight they turn into stone. This explains many of the unusual rock formations throughout the country. Dimmuborgir, near Lake Myvatn in the north, is a famous site. Trolls having a picnic forgot the summer sun’s early arrival and were turned into seven towering citadels. Sure scientists call them lava eruptions – but do you not find petrified trolls more fun?
Elves are usually benevolent and live between heaven and earth. Iceland claims to have five varieties including gnomes, winged creatures and the Hidden People. Legend, on the latter, claims God came to visit Eve and she only had time to clean half of her children. Hiding the dirty ones she denied their existence. God was said to reply the children hidden from him would remain hidden from man for all time.
Interested in learning more while in the Reyjavik and southwestern region? Here are some ideas:
- Attend the Icelandic Elf School. No kidding - Magnús Skarphedinsson runs the Álfaskólinn in Reykjavik. Half-day courses teach the hidden realm, and come complete with diplomas.
- Visit Hafnarfjördur, a suburb of Reykjavik, where the local tourist office sells maps of Hellisgerdi Lava Park – home to dozens of hidden people anves. Nearby is a tiny red and home seemingly built into the lava rock. Four people once lived there and the wife was reputed to have spent hours communicating with the other world.
- The Icelandic Wonders Museum in Stokkseyri is a wonderful excursion. Only a 60 minute drive from Reykyavik the museum, located in the Culture House, plays tribute to the mythical beings, and the Northern Lights.
Legends hold that on Midsummer's Day (June 24th) meetings between humans and the elves are more prevelant.
Are you willing for an encounter?
Want to learn about Iceland's 13 Christmas lads? cultural-anthropology.suite101.com/article.cfm/icelands_13_christmas_lads
For more information on Iceland see:iceland-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/icelands_ghosts_have_a_home
iceland-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/north_icelands_maritime_marvels
iceland-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/iceland_insider
