Icelandic folklore

One of the most common questions I'm asked is if fairies have physicality, if they are tangible beings. This is rooted I think in the common idea perpetuated especially in new age and post-Victorian fairy belief that these beings are entirely energy or thoughtforms, creatures that can be perceived by the mind but lack physical reality in this world. So let's dig into this shall we? Arthur Rackham The simple answer is: yes, no, and maybe. Because, really, nothing with fairies is simple. The…

Iceland has a rich history of folklore and legends. Read up on tales of trolls, elves and all sorts of monsters.

As part of my senior thesis project I illustrated and made a book of Icelandic folktales. Art and layout is inspired by illuminated manuscripts. All illustrations were done traditionally with gouache.

On March 23, 1982, a group of 150 aggravated men and women arrived on nothing but a wing and a prayer at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization base in

Welcome, adventurer! Today, we're about to embark on a fascinating journey through time and space, venturing into the magical world of Iceland folklore. Unravel the land’s captivating tales filled with elves, trolls, serpentine monsters, and mischievous Christmas lads. Be prepared to immerse yourself in an ancient world where mythical creatures live side by side with the human realm.

John Bauer

Iceland is a country where stories are as important as history. When Vikings settled the island, they brought their tales with them. Every rock, hot spring and waterfall seems to have its own story. Cruel man-eating trolls rub shoulders with beautiful elves, whose homes are hidden from mortal view. Vengeful ghosts envy the living, seeking […]

Posts about Icelandic folklore written by abookofcreatures

"Daughter of the Sea". Selkies are mythological creatures found in Faroese, Icelandic, Irish, and Scottish folklore. They are said to live as seals in the sea, but shed their skin to become human on land. The legend apparently originated on the Orkney and Shetland Islands and is very similar to those of swan maidens."