Grýla

Origin
Grýla, in Icelandic mythology, is a horrifying monster and a giantess living in the mountains of Iceland. Most of the stories told about Gryla were to frighten children.

The Grýla legend has been frightening to the people of Iceland for centuries! People of Iceland successfully used her story to scare children to sleep. It was put into halt when a public decree was passed in 1746 prohibiting this practice to avoid traumatizing kids further.

Grýla was not directly linked to Christmas until in the 17th century. By that time she had become the mother of the Yule Lads.

Gryla is said to have a sharp sense of hearing. She has the ability to detect children who are misbehaving year-round. During Christmas time, she comes from the mountains to search nearby towns for her meal. She leaves her cave and hunts for the kids. She devours kids as her favorite snack. Her favorite dish is a stew of naughty kids and she had an insatiable appetite. According to legends, there was never a shortage of food for Gryla.

According to folklore, Grýla has been married three times. Her third husband, Leppalúði, is said to be living with her in their cave in the Dimmuborgir lava fields, with the big black Yule Cat and their sons. As Christmas approaches, Grýla sets off looking for naughty boys and girls. The Grýla legend has appeared in many stories, poems, songs and plays in Iceland and sometimes Grýla dies at the end of the story.