The Yule cat, the Icelandic Jólakötturinn is a legendary creature from Icelandic folklore associated with the Christmas season. According to tradition, it is a giant and ferocious cat that comes around during Christmas, seeking and devouring those who have not received new clothes as a treat during the year. The myth of the Yule cat has its roots in the ancient agricultural traditions of Iceland. It is believed that it emerged as a way to motivate workers to finish laughing and making the wool before winter arrives. The myth symbolized on the ground a punishment for the perilous, but also a way of highlighting the importance of community effort in the arduous conditions of Icelandic life. Although the legend may seem terrifying, today the Yule Cat has become a less feared and more symbolic folkloric figure.
